Flying Pig (Virtual) Half Marathon

So, I was actually registered either for the Flying Pig 3 Way, or the 3 Way with Extra Cheese.  I genuinely can't remember.  Thursday and Friday I'd done my mile runs, so I had those down.  Saturday was the Get in Gear 10K. The next day I'd run a 5K indoor on the track at the gym.  And then I was all "crap, when am I going to run a half marathon".  As with most things, thinking about it was much worse than doing it.

Race Day
Start time: My alarm was set for 5am.  I actually woke up around 4:40am and took it as a sign.
Weather: So much better than Get in Gear.  Wind was in my face going north, but otherwise around 45*.
Wardrobe: Shirt and pull over on top, shorts and compression socks on the bottom.  I used my race vest to carry my phone plus a portable charger due to a technical fail last night.
Transportation to start line:  LOL.  No.
Route: I started in my neighborhood and ran along Victory Memorial Parkway.  I went around Crystal Lake in Robbinsdale, then back east along the parkway over to the river.  To emulate the Flying Pig I crossed the river (first time) and headed north on the Fridley side.  With the wind in my face.  Then I crossed back over the river (also like the Pig) and headed south with the wind at my back.  That was much better.
Plan/Goals: I'd ultimately decided on a run 1:00, walk 1:00 plan.  My goal was to beat my last super untrained half marathon excursion which was around 3:36. I really wanted to be under 3:30. I was kind of a technical disaster.  My phone didn't charge right so I had that battery.  I'd changed some of the screen settings on my watch so I was worried the screen brightness plus run/walk alerts would drain that battery....
Execution: I generally stuck to the 1/1 plan.  I walked a couple super steep up hills during my 'run' time, and ran some down hills during my 'walk' time.  Adjustments like that were key to my secondary plan of "don't blow up"
Nutrition: I stuffed a salted avocado in my mouth at 4:40am before I got dressed.  I carried sour patch kids with me and I had enough for 100 calories every 3-4 miles.  I ate about a third of what I brought.  I took two salt tabs (carried four).  I had one bottle of water with me, and that was enough but if I'd had my second bottle I would've started in on it.
Results: Significantly better than expected. I was able to wrap up in 3:25, with most of my miles around 15:00/mile, which is about 1:00 faster than I expected. 

From today, I learned: This was a pleasant surprise.  I'm in better shape than I expected.  I couldn't get my results properly loaded in the website, so I sent an email and the race team helped me out very quickly.
SWAG: I haven't seen it yet, but it's the Pig so I expect I'll enjoy it.
Remember for next time: That course was almost exactly half marathon distance.  I hope I don't need that info too often.
Bonus: Done on a work day.  I didn't actually blow up today.  I expect that to happen tomorrow.  Post race day is what I usually call "eat all the things" day because that's when it hits me.

Get in Gear 10K

 Day(s) before: 

Expo: Expo is too strong a word, but there was a packet pick up at Minnehaha Falls the day before the race. It was kind of weird actually.  The bibs were in one place and the shirts were in another far away place and I did not get a gear check bag.  The volunteer thought they'd have them the next day.
 Transportation to/from expo: I liked that parking in the lots was included for packet pick up.
 Expo SWAG: Technical t-shirt, and a fleece hat.  My Minnesota peeps will understand why this is so cool.

Race Day
 Start time: Race starts at 9am.
 Weather: Absolute crap.  Wind and rain.
 Wardrobe:  I had throw away clothes over running shorts, running shirt, and arm sleeves. I also pulled out an old race belt that I thought would do better in the rain with my car key and phone.
 Transportation to start line: Did we talk about the rain?  Because I drove to the race.  I aimed to leave my house around 7am, get parked close by about 7:30am, and then sit in my car until 8:30am.  That's about what I did.  When I entered the rain storm, I went to the bathroom, hung out in the super cramped enclosed pavilion with everyone else, and did tai chi but no walking or running to warm up.  Turned out better than expected. 

Route: Get in Gear follows roughly the Ford/Lake loop.  North in Minneapolis, over the Lake Street bridge, South in St Paul and then back over the Ford bridge.
Plan/Goals: I had a few ideas in my head.  Maybe run and don't blow up.  Maybe run/walk.  Mostly don't blow up.
Execution: I started running and I felt good, so I decided to go with a strongly controlled "don't die at the end please" pace and just kept it even.  It was fast for me in my current fitness level.
 Nutrition: I woke up and had half a salted avocdao smashed on a small bagel.  I didn't want much.
 Results: The most surprising stat on the race page was the participation.  It's waaay up from last year but super way down from where it normally is. 
 From today, I learned: The "do not blow up" plan worked well.  The race is surprisingly difficult at the end.  It's just one little stupid hill after another.  So I was worn out at the finish, but I had the energy to get there.
 Remember for next time: 7:30am arrival time worked well.  I got super great parking.
 Bonus: I also counted this as my virtual Flying Pig 10K which I feel is legit.

TC 10K - the race that wasn't

Day(s) before:
Expo:  I don’t know what my issue was, but I was not at all impressed this year.  Perhaps I’m just ruined by Cincinnati?  The expo was set up differently.  (Portrait versus landscape if you know what I mean.) I couldn’t tell if there were fewer vendors or if it just seemed that way due to the set up.
Transportation to/from expo: I thought I was going to bus, but a wardrobe failure on my part meant I drove, parked at the Science Museum, and paid a whopping $1. I’m saying I came out ahead.
Expo SWAG:  I’d registered for the 10K so I got my shirt ahead of time, as well as a buff.

Race Day
Start time: Scheduled for 7:15am
Weather: Well, see, here’s where the drama starts.  We’d been predicted for some rain, including some heavy rain and lightning.  Rain itself was forecasted to start well before the races and last long after.So at 3:53am, the races were all cancelled.
I think they would not have cancelled for this weather on Marathon Sunday.  But the Saturday events have sooo many kids, and they are held on the grass/lawns that would’ve basically been swamps.  The safety concerns for these races are significantly different than the marathon and 10 Mile. So I’m bummed, but I totally get it too.
I texted my coach, and then a few friends who’d had races scheduled as well. Then I want back to sleep for a bit.  Around 10am, I went to the gym to run my mile, and then I walked a 5K with Dungeon Master  She was at least as bummed as I was.

Wardrobe
Transportation to start line:
Route:
Plan/Goals:
Execution:
Nutrition:
Results:

From today, I learned: This is really the biggest ‘first world problem’ right?  As soon as things happened, friends started reaching out.  Or when I let people know, they were bummed for me.  I told Dungeon Master, ‘we can’t get richer than having good friends’.  So, this stings, but I’m trying to focus on all the things that are going right for me including my health, a job I love, a safe and warm place to live, and phenomenal friendships.
Also, the main comment I saw on TCM Facebook page was “at least the marathon people can still run their race, I’d feel really bad if it was them” and that’s exactly how I feel.  I’ve only run one race this year and it was the full Marathon. 
SWAG: I did get the shirt already, and they will give medals away next week apparently.
Remember for next time:  I’m going to put this here.  A few people were all “you even paid a coach”.  I have not regretted that once.  Even if I didn’t get to race, I learned a lot from working with a coach.  I learned about how weeks and workouts are structured.  I learned to push myself.  And I learned my mind is as important as anything else in training.  I feel like the race was going to be putting all those things together to “see” the final result, but my body enjoyed the benefits of the work, even without the race.
Bonus: Instead of running a race, I did the following:
Ran my mile
Walked a 5K with Dungeon Master.
Practiced handstands (my winter fitness goal).  I was nervous but I nailed a handstand on the first try!
Practice bridges (my winter fitness goal also).  I do not have perfect form, but I did get into one.
Had lunch with a few awesome people.
Had a beer with Captain Smiley
Made cheering signs for the marathon tomorrow.

Flying Pig 2019 - Race Report

Day(s) before

Expo: This expo is huge.  There's a good mix of local booths (like UC and the dentist booth that gave me a new toothbrush), race booths (Bourbon Half Marathon), and just other fun stuff. I always stop at the place that's selling the past year shirts, and in cold years I stop at Good Will for throw away clothes.  This year I did not stand in line for the P&G Goodies, but that's totally a thing as well. The 'Official Shop' had a lot of stuff but it did not have an 'I'll run this marathon when Pigs Fly' shirt which was a thing that I wanted. Sigh.
 
Transportation to/from expo: This is my least favorite part.  The Fountain Square Garage and Race Street Garage were full and closed, so I just drove till I found another place to park. I hate driving downtown and I hate parking.  If I do another half or 3-way, I may consider Uber.

Expo SWAG: Definitely another standout. Half Marathon and Full Marathon runners get a race shirt, a "bag" of some kind (this year it was a very nice soft-sided cooler, and I've got several backpacks from past years), and a poster.  Plus, did I mention the P&G table.  Anyone can go there. 

Race Day

Start time: 6:30am, my corral started closer to 7am and there were 2 corrals behind me.  Rozzi's does fireworks for each corral.  It's a thing.  My corral could not hear ANY of the start line announcements, the anthem, the wheel chair start, nor the actual race start. I hope they get a lot of comments about that and I hope they fix it.

Weather: Apparently, I lucked out this year.  I started around 55* and finished around 70*.  For me, there wasn't sun until the last mile or 2.  But apparently the sun was real before then because I have sun burns on my shoulders and an official watch tan. There was very little wind.  My coach told me I had to dump water on myself at each stop.  I was sopping wet by the end, including my shoes.

Wardrobe: This was a source of some debate.  I had very little time to test the wardrobe because I trained in the polar vortex and not normal weather.  I packed 3 sets of tops/bottoms with me that were generally interchangeable.  The deciding factor was when Olive did her 10K, finished and said "don't wear the hot shorts".
Top: 2xu tank and a Brooks sports bra, no issues
Bottoms: Nike guys running shorts (because again, if Courtney Dauwalter can, I can too).  I found out the next day these did chafe along the wasteline/draw string area, but not totally painfully.
Feet: Smartwool socks which felt like they were giving me a blister but did not, and Altra trail shoes.  (Update there definitely was a blister/chaffing on the top of my little toe.  It relates to the seam in the toe of the socks, not at all the fault of the shoes.  I've never had Smart Wool do that to me before.) I told my coach it's what I trained in almost all winter.  Every other pair of shoes I trained in didn't feel right for such a long run, so I just did the wrong thing and wore my trail shoes in a road race.
Other: Pink visor.  Nathan Running vest.  The vest did not chafe but the water bottle was at a weird angle, so I had to kind of wrap the straw around one shoulder strap so it would stop hitting me in the face.

Transportation to start line: Thank goodness for Olive and Mom.  We drove, they parked. Runners: Parking takes a long time, get there before 5:30am.

Route: The first 8 miles are the same as the half marathon.  The hardest part for me was to be climbing up that hill and hear all of the half marathoners talk about being "half way there" and I'm all WTF, I am not!.
At the split, the full goes off into some wonderful neighborhoods in Cincinnati, Fairfax, and Mariemont.  (You've got to admire the race director for dealing with two cities/counties in Kentucky and three cities in Ohio.  Logistics anyone?) Special bonus for the locals to get to run on Columbia Parkway.  That was fun and I was super glad it wasn't sunny.
The full has more climbing than the half marathon, almost double the climbing.  Though still, the hardest climb is shared by both courses. I found this route super challenging.  I was thankful for every time I drove over, parked at the lock and dam and ran hills along the river in the ice and snow this winter.

Plan/Goals: My plan was to run 4 minutes and walk 1 minute the whole way, and start off at least over 13:00/mile.  I'd been told by many people this is a negative split course if you do it right. Officially for my coach, my A goal was to catch and pass the 12:30 pacer, B goal was to catch and stay with the 12:30 pacer and C goal was to finish. 
If I'm being honest, my A goals was really to finish and feel good.  The paces were just a guide.  In the end, I'm glad I totally abandon my original plan, becuase I did finish and felt better with other people than I did in the dark alone times of Eden Park.

Execution: Short story: I ran a hard positive split.  The plan when somewhat out the window but I decided not to care. I was not truly suffering until the last mile and I finished with an hour to spare.
Long story: Miles 1-5 I was really right on track, using the up hills to rest and the down hills to my advantage.
The climb/Eden Park: This was my dark time.  I realized the half marathon people were over half way and I still had 75% of the race left to run, I felt like I was standing still on the climb, it was bad. This is the hardest climb of the race.
Obryonville: I started to feel better here, and by that I mean "I started to go downhill".  There were lots of cheering squads.
Hyde Park: I had lots of support and continued to enjoy the down hills here.
Madisonville: Is actually a very short part of the course.  Why are there so many hills there?  This is where I met Kathleen.  She's 67, retired teacher, likes tennis, trains on a treadmill... She was run/walk a 30/30 and I wound up staying with her on her plan 'till about mile 21.  I was a bit slower than any of my goal paces but I didn't care because I had company.  We worked well together and the miles ticked along nicely. As I said in my training "It was easier in my mind".  Kathleen and I had gone back and forth with another person named Nancy, and we picked her up for reals around mile 19. 
Lower east side: At about mile 21, Nancy and I went on ahead and stayed together 'till about mile 26.  Nancy turned 26 last August and has a goal of running 26 marathons in her 26th year of life.  This was number 19. Also, she was dressed as Captain America.  The lower east side was long in some places, and short in others, if that makes sense.  It's still a long way from the finish.
Back into downtown: It was here that I liberated a beer.  I needed a drink because the course now runs through where the old finish was, and I had to keep going another 0.2 miles or so.  Head trip. I was still moving, running from one cone to the next, and I was able to chase Nancy into the finish line and high five the pig. 

Nutrition: The plan was to start with a Larabar, then switch to chews, and to drink every couple of miles.  Around Mariemont, that plan went out the window and I did whatever I wanted.  I was actually okay at taking my salt tabs and I think that helped me get through the race as well.  This course has soooo much food on it.  Like, you could forget everything you owned except your clothes, show up to the start line and be fine.  There's so much water, gatorade, cookies, Swedish fish, tissues, popsicles, and alcohol.  Did I mention the alcohol?

Results:I finished in about 6 hours.  That's my slowest marathon ever, but ultimately I was happy with it.  I did really change my race strategy when I started staying with Kathleen but I didn't care.  I wanted to get to the end and not suffer, and that's what happened.  My reasons for wanting to run this race, and this course, and this year, had very little to do with an actual finish time and much more to do with the feeling of finishing.  I'm feeling good.

From today, I learned: I needed a better mental game for the earlier miles in Eden Park.  That was dark times.  I should've started with a lot more walking, and added in more running as time went on.  And I was right to run the downhills becuase those were crazy fun.  Also, the smartwool sock issue.  My little toe is angry right now.

SWAG: At the finish line, there's a medal, all of the water, a bag of snacks, pizza, mylar blanket, and then outside the chute there's beer for the runners. There are also tents selling food for purchase, and some tents giving stuff away to anyone, not just runners.

Remember for next time: At the end of this race I said I'd never run another marathon.  Note to my future self: You can register for another marathon when your MAF pace is under an 11:00/mile.  Also, it's Tuesday and I can still barely walk.

Bonus: Team Walk and Team Car were the bonus of this race.  The cheering support was amazing and really helped me break up the race in my head.  Since I didn't get an "I'll run this marathon when pigs fly" shirt, Olive made me a sign that said "I survived marathon training in the polar vortex".  Apparently a lot of people wanted a picture with that sign!

Gracie's Cupcake Trot 5K

Gracie's Cupcake Trot in Andover, MN. 
Registration: Online via IM Athlete.  Since it's via IM Athlete, it's fairly predictable and easy.
Packet Pickup: It's a race day pick up.  The volunteers are super sweet!
SWAG: Pink bracelet, a hair tie that I did not take, and an adorable shirt.  All runners get a free cupcake after the race.
Transportation to and from the race: I drove to the race, got there around 8:45am which was PLENTY of time.  Parking was in a lot, totally not a problem.
Volunteers: There was a mix of volunteers.  Some people had shirts saying "Gracies...." (Mom, Dad, uncle, etc) and some had normal volunteer shirts.  Most of the course marshall volunteers appeared to be teenagers.  I want to know how this organization got so many kids to stand out in the cold and clap for me.  That alone is wonderful.
Start Line: The start line was in a parking lot.  No joke.  Also, no timing mats.

Finish: OMG, the last 0.01 miles are up this super steep little "speed bump" thing.  Someone was behind me and I was trying so hard not to get passed.  I thought I was going to die.
Things to know:
Timing: The website says this is a chip timed race. In real life, it's a gun start and chip finish.  There were 65 people in this race, so the gun times and chip times are about the same.  Not a big deal.  But, it's a distinction a lot of "serious" runners would make.
Start time: This race started 15 minutes late because there was a presentation about the non-profit putting on the race that took a while.  I knew at 9:20 when the kids run hadn't started that the race wouldn't go on time. There was a warm space inside (with indoor restrooms with hot water) to wait.  It's not a big deal, but it's something that people who come to run a race will notice.
Course Map: There's no Course Map available online.  I wish there was.  Seeing an elevation profile also would've helped me have a better day.  I think some runners would've been curious enough about the course to bring them out just for that. Since it's a certified course, there's got to be a map somewhere right?
Race Recommended For: This is a very small, very low key race.  I saw lots of kids and families, including a few moms with strollers. Overall the race was adorable, the volunteers were nice, and I'd do it again if the timing works out.
Fasties: Because it's a small race, you will probably win
People who like to run alone: I got a lot of practice racing the tangents and chasing people.  Even though this was a race, it felt like a training run in some ways too, because I was on my own so much.
Families/Kids: There were a lot of kids here; there's also a shorter fun run for kids before the 5K if you have a kid who's too little to go 3 miles
Health conditions: If congenital heart defects have impacted your life/family, these are your people. 
If you're normally in the back of the pack; here's my infographic.  I was in the top 10 women.

My run:
Start time: Posted as 9:30am for the 5K.  In real life, it was 9:45am, which they announced around 9:15am.  At least there was a warm place to wait.
Weather: Ask me about the wind and snow.  The wind was rough.  Snow stopped before the race though.

Wardrobe: Top: Long sleeve shirt; jacket, hat
Bottoms: Brooks running pants, wool socks
Shoes: Merrel Trail Crushers because I wasn't clear if this race was going to be on pavement or not

Route: This course runs around Bunker Hills Regional Park.  I mostly ran this race because I wanted to see Bunker Hills and decide if it was worth it to buy an Anoka County Park pass. (If any of these paved trails are plowed in the winter, I absolutely will buy a park pass.)  This is a very hilly course.  Starts on a road, but mostly on paved trails.  In most places there were volunteers to direct runners at turns, but a couple more places could've used a volunteer.  I was glad I had a runner ahead of me to follow.
Plan/Goals: I was sort of thinking if I could run under 30 minutes or not.  Ultimately the plan was "run by feel" and "run hard".  I didn't know if I could do 30 minutes because I didn't know the course or elevation.

Execution: I ran the first mile too fast, but generally did the "run hard" and "run by feel" thing quite well.  Around mile 3 I could hear someone behind me so I really poured on the gas at the end.  I thought I was going to die. There was no oxygen.  I really didn't want to get passed.
Nutrition:  LOL.  Did I tell you about the cupcake at the end?

Results: 32:45, 3rd in my age group.  I don't know if I get an AG award because I left shortly after the race.
From today, I learned: Even in a race where I'm not going to look at my watch, might be a good idea to check my pace in the first quarter mile to make sure I'm not being an idiot.  I started the race a bit too fast.  I think if I'd been smarter, I could've squeeze out even more in the last mile.
Remember for next time: The first mile is the hardest.  Don't be an idiot.
Bonus: Ask me about the cupcake at the end.
My first race of 2018 was super cold and windy, so there's a nice symmetry with the conditions of this race. 

TC 10 Mile Race Report

Start time: 7am for Corral A and the elite men.  My corral started around 7:25am.
Weather: 40s, wind around 5mph.  It actually felt a bit warmer than yesterday

Wardrobe:
Pre-race: I had on throw away pants, throw away top, and throw away gloves (old pair of socks)
Race: Nike shorts, Illuminite top, fleece head band, compression socks, Skora shoes
Post-race: Wool shirt, sweat shirt, and my new Loony Challenge Vest, Hat, Sweat pants, compression socks, gloves.  I should've brought a second layer for my legs becuase I was still cold.
Transportation: I took the 5:40am bus to the race.  Post race, I took the Green Line over to Prospect Park, Olive picked me up, and we watched the marathon over in her neck of the woods.

Route: This is the regular TC 10 Mile route.  I think they legit had some of the mile markers misplaced.  I hit mile 1 early, which should not have happened, and I hit mile 2 super later.

Plan/Goals: My 'scary' goal was to run 1:50.  I kind of let that go when I realized the 1:50 pacer was not even going to be in my corral.  My A goal was to beat last year's 10 Mile and Loony Challenge times.
My 'plan' was to run a solid pace, and then not look at pace at all during the climbs.  On the climbs I used some of the advice from here including that one about 'run like we are lifting you up and carrying you to the finish' which for some reason made me feel lighter on the hills.

Execution: I did not run an 11:00/mile pace, but I did beat last year by almost a full minute. I got a little wild at the start, and paid for it later.
I had a good cadence on the hills, and just suffered up them.
I put my foot down the last mile and cruised on home.
Nutrition: I wound up being very hungry, like I wanted some calories for this run.  I had a pre run Avocado (3/4 of one) with salt.  I should've had a banana or a Larabar or something too.  I wound up taking Gatorade at miles 3.5, 5, and 7 and the calories made me feel a bit better.

Results: 1:52:58 or an 11:18 mile for the 10 Mile.   Loony Challenge results are an 11:14 mile, which is a 8 second/mile increase over last year.  Over 19+ miles, I'll take it.  That increase in speed really hurt.  Especially today.    Last year Loony Results and 10 Mile results for reference. 

From today, I learned: Hard work in training pays off on race day!
Plan for hills.
I think the marathon is going to hurt.
Don't run the first mile too fast.
More calories the second day of a two day series.
SWAG: Long sleeve shirt and a medal.  Plus a pair of gloves. And a free beer at the end of the race for those over 21 with an ID.
Remember for next time: Bring a second layer for my legs post race.
The 5:40am bus is actually the 5:36am bus on Sundays.
Bonus: There were vodka samples in the beer tent.

TC 10K and TC 5K Race Report

10K Start time: 7:15am for the 10K, this is the same time as last year.
    

Weather: Low-mid 40s and windy.  I was fine running, but under dressed for the start line.
   

Wardrobe: Illuminite shirt, arm sleeves, Happy pants, compression socks, Merrel shoes; hat.  I looked like a highlighter but I was hard to miss.
  

Transportation: 5:40am bus to Green Line.  Dungeon Master took me home in exchange for a hot, home cooked breakfast.  There was a long time between the bus and the train so I practiced my selfie game.

Route: 10K route has been the same every time I've run it.

Plan/Goals: My goal was A) run under 11:20s and B) not do anything stupid.

Execution: Part A: done.  Part B: It doesn't feel stupid at the moment, but I also don't believe it. 
Nutrition: Pre-race was 3/4 of an avocado, salted.  Post race was a banana and some water.

Results: I haven't looked at the results yet.  I'll tell you after tomorrow's race.
Update: I'm happy with this.  
From today, I learned: Things that went well were staying relaxed on the hill, telling myself I am strong enough for hills, and keeping my cadence high.  I got a little aggravated at the start, there was a big bottle neck just after and it was kind of a cluster.
SWAG: 10K has a medal and a gray shirt.
Remember for next time: I spent a lot of time thinking about the camber on Summit Ave.  Follow the line dividing the bike lane from traffic.
The Corporate Team Challenge tent is heated, but there is no place to change this year.
Take the bus to Park Ave and walk to the US Bank Stadium stop.  (For some reason I legit could not remember this from last year.)
Bonus: LOL.  Let me just get back in line to run another race.

5K Start time: 8:45am for the 5K.  This start time has changed over the years.  The first time I did Loony, it was 90 minutes between races (which is tight but doable), then it went to 2hrs, then 1:45, now we're back down to 90 minutes between races.     

Weather: Somehow windier and colder than before the first race.  40s and windy.

Route: The 5K route is back to the original 5K route and I am aggravated and bummed.  The 5K route is an out and back, mostly along Summit Ave.  It is waaaay too packed to have two way runners there, especially with all the kids in the back of that race.  Race organizers should either let us go back to the 2017 route, or have a staggered/corral style start.

Plan/Goals: After the 10K, I adjusted.  My first goal was not to get ticked off and knock anyone over in the first mile of the race from it being too crowded.  After that, run mostly by feel and have fun.  Try to run under 11:20s and most importantly don't do anything stupid.

Execution: It turned out probably to be a good thing that the first mile was the slowest of any I'd run so far, because I kept some in the tank for later.  I had a great time.  I think about 20 people past me in the last 0.1 miles because I was finishing at the pace I'd been running the whole time, not a 'I don't have to run anymore ever after these 100 feet' sprint. It's fine.  I still feel like I did what I wanted there.
Nutrition: 5am: Avocado; after 10K: Banana and water; after 5K: hard boiled eggs wrapped in prosciutto.  (Because post race nutrition is super important if I have to do this again tomorrow)

Results: I won't look until after the 10Miler tomorrow.
Update: I think things went well. 
From today, I learned: Be patient in the first mile of a crowded race.  Things will sort themselves out and there will be plenty of room.
SWAG: Well, I got the exact same medal they gave out for the 10K, so now I have two of those.  WTF?!? At least the shirt is different.  This one is navy.
Remember for next time: That first mile is slow.  Be patient.
Caribou Coffee is no longer a sponsor, so there's not a ton of post-race coffee options.  Though the Challenge tent did have coffee for its participants.

Bonus: Dungeon Master gave me a ride home.  I cooked her breakfast.  Or, in my case, Second Breakfast.  Congrats to Dungeon Master on completing the 5K race series!

Valentines Day 5K

The Valentines Day 5K is an early goal race of mine, meaning I did actually fix my diet and train for the thing.  Dungeon Master signed up for the race series, so this is her first race of the year too.  My plan was to run my race, then cool down jog back to find her on the course and walk in with her, which is pretty much what happened.  Bonus is that I seem to remain frostbite free.


Start time: 10am, north side of Lake Nokomis

Weather: 3* and 5mph winds.  It was cold.

Wardrobe: I was a little too hot for the race and had things mostly unzipped.  I was freezing cold walking in and then back to the car with the Dungeon Master.
Bottoms: fleece lined tights; brooks running pants
Top: smart wool base layer, 2xu fleece top, my new favorite running jacket
Socks: Compression socks, wool socks
Other: Gloves, fleece headband for during the race.  Mittens, hat, gaiter for after the race
Shoes: Altra Lone Peaks.  I'd considered a couple other pairs that would've been lighter and faster, but nothing else really accommodates two pairs of socks like the Altras.

Transportation: I drove Dungeon Master and myself.  We parked on 52nd street.  There will still spots available at 9:30, but it was filling up fast.

Route: Run one lap counter clockwise around Lake Nokomis.  (Every race I've ever done at Lake Nokomis is counter clockwise.  I think it has to do with opening Cedar Ave as quickly as possible.)  Note the start line is about 0.3 miles behind the finish, so it's like run for 2 minutes, 'oh here's the finish.  Psych! go run around the lake and then come back here.'

Plan/Goals: My A goal for sometime in 2018 is to run a 5K in under 30 minutes.  I figured I'd see how close to that I could come today.  I think I could've had a better mental plan than 'see if you can run a sub 10 mile and then see if you can hang on'.  I could've had a more realistic plan as well. But I really didn't want to feel like I left anything out there.

Execution: Sadly, a sub30 was not to be today.  My average HR was 171bpm or 93% of max for the entire race.  My run cadence was around 175.  So I think I did what I could here, and I have room to grow over the year.

Nutrition: I woke up around 7:30am and ate half an avocado with salt, then had a banana around 9am. I was glad I'd had a little food but also glad my stomach was mostly empty.

Results: Early results say a 32:15 or 10:23 per mile, which is about a minute slower than last year's best 5K where I was in the best shape of the year.

SWAG: SWAG is a medal and a long sleeve shirt.  Post race goodies were the normal chips, cookies, nut rolls, and bonus hot chocolate. 

Remember for next time: I did packet pick up a day early at the TCM offices (which is near my own work headquarters).  This saved me some race day standing in line and being cold.  If I run this race again, I'd do the early packet pick up as well.

Bonus: Dungeon Master wanted to go to Peppers and Fries afterwards.  Since I'm no longer Whole30 girl, I got the burger of the month, which is a bacon cheeseburger on a maple doughnut.  I did not have the whole doughnut.  And I did not have alcohol.   But I did remark 'I haven't had a pop since last year'

Avondale 5K

Start time: 8:30am, perfect for me.
Weather: Around 50*, no wind, sunny
Wardrobe: Happy pants, tank, compression socks, now retired NB Minimus Trail shoes
Transportation: Dad carpooled us all to the start, parked at Avondale Town Center

Route:

• Runs through South Avondale and a short stretch of North Avondale (where I grew up).  Full course can be seen here.
• The hills on this course are for reals.  Especially that beast at the end.  That's where I kissed my 'sub 30' dream goodbye. 
• This course is partially open to traffic.  It's closed where the runners are but open for cars to cross the course in some places.  
• There were a lot of police on the course to direct traffic and they were very supportive of the runners.

Plan/Goals: Race the thing! (Back up plan was 'run with your heart and don't get discouraged on the hills')

Execution: I put it down on this course. I was pleased with the whole thing.  This is easily a PR for me and the most fun I've had on a 5K course.
Nutrition: I'd planned to have half an avocado about two hours before the race.  Instead, when I woke up I was still full from the bad decisions I'd made the night before so I raced on an empty stomach.  It was the right decision.
Results:  31:23 or a 10:07 mile pace.  See, picked it up and put it down!

SWAG: For such a small race, there are some very big sponsors (Cincinnati Zoo, Children's Hospital, University of Cincinnati) and the goodies are on point.  I got a cotton t-shirt, which was an awesome surprise.  Re-usable shopping bag.  Hippo rug (which is freaking adorable and waiting for me every time I go home now), little flash light, beer can huggie, and some coupons.  The post-race party had some additional stuff from a sponsor so I wound up with another shirt from there.
Remember for next time:

• I mean, is there a way to forget about that hill? 
• This race is seriously welcoming to walkers and family.  
• I was the only 'non-local' there.  It's okay because I consider this my hometown race. 
• I had planned to listen to music but wound up taking out both ear buds early on because the course is partially open to traffic and I wanted to be able to hear the volunteers and police.
• Apparently I can run a solid 5K on an empty stomach.

Bonus: This race was very well organized.  It did a great job of highlighting the neighborhood.

Second bonus: 5K for my 5 year streak running anniversary! Mom, Dad, and two other people came out to help me celebrate.