After being out of running for a week or two I became out of sorts, but as I believed was use to it. The Peachtree Roadrace taught me better. Through out the 6 miles I could feel my body ease into the rhythm and enjoy the release of built up energy. I could not help, but smile and have fun no matter what my time came out to be.
The day after the race I felt energized to run again already, but my ankles were tight and sore. Then today came around. I woke up at 6 to watch the sun rise as I prepared myself for a great run or I hoped for one.
Starting at 7:30 I set out for my first 5k and feared for my long run that I felt I needed not for training and not for fun, but for my own sanity. The temperature was at about 68 degrees and my first 5k came to 29 minutes, which is my average time for that distance.
I went to the restroom and had some Gatorade to cool myself down. I set out on the 2nd round of the neighborhood and felt strong and faster. My muscles have been loosened up and my breathing became easy. The weather was still in a good place for me. Sun shining and rising in the East where two of the larger hills faced it. Sprinklers were nourishing the grass and glistening in the sun and moistening the air. Birds chirping and flying plus the Kites chasing the Crows away from their territory. Becoming part of the calm morning my run felt great and ended up being in 27 minutes.
Since the summer officially became hot my runs usually ended at 6 miles. This morning I replenished myself with more Gatorade and then poured iced water over my head, neck and chest. I set off on my 3rd round at a faster pace than intended, but felt amazing through it all. I walked once at the very end only for 30 seconds. I finished the last 5k in 26 minutes. I felt like I was about to throw up or pass out. My fingers bloated to the point of pain. I walked an 100 meters to calm off from that last lap in about 77 degrees weather.
Running 9 miles in an hour and 22 minutes and coming home and doing an hour of strength training plus 30 minutes of Yoga with relaxing Celtic music playing makes me realize I love running. Its not to be better than someone else, its not to prove anything to anyone...its my way to relax, escape, and to find out who I really am through pushing myself.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
My First Peachtree Road Race Experience
4:15 I started to wake up and got out of bed at 4:30. At this time I noticed I was out of my black tea. I ended up getting a small bowl of cereal and water. My family left at 5:20 am.
We arrived at MARTA before sunrise and hopped on. We arrived at the race while the wheelchair racers were warming up.
I found my wave (E) around 6:45 am. I decided at 6:50 to leave my family to claim my spot in the line up. In the hour I waited with the many other racers I chatted with a woman near my size and we watched the helicopters fly around us.
Before my wave started I saw my cousin who was in wave J. That was exciting.
Dave Matthews was playing over the loud speaker at the starting line and my stomach felt as if I was at the top of a rollercoaster before it drops. In a couple seconds at the starting line, I was off.
Before the first 100 meters was up my family cheered me on. They cheered me on once I arrived at 10th Street. I did not see them, but apparently my mom was so excited she ran into a fence trying to make me hear her.
It entertained me every time everyone had a clear view of the runners ahead and it was just one huge mass of people moving forward. I found this interesting, now, because the race is held on the 4th of July and its also the worlds largest 10k race, the movement of masses coming together for a coming goal should be an example for every day life.
I hit Cardiac Hill and flew up it feeling strong and great. Plus, being soaking wet made it even better. The water stations every mile, the strong sprinklers, the on lookers squirting the runners and the music made the atmosphere fun. I started having a blast by playing in the water and slapping hands with the kids on the side lines.
I didn't expect a PR off this race since its my fist time running it, the amazing amount of runners (50044 finishers), my schedule didn't allow me to run for 2 weeks prior and being bloated since I will start in 2 days.
My feet started to ache and my lower back cramped up with sickness setting in my stomach I had to walk after finishing Cardic Hill a small Asian older woman comes up behind me and goes "Come on. Your fast. GO!" I started to pace with her and she went "NO! GO ON!" I went off.
That held out for a bit and then I had to walk again. She caught up and said "I caught you. NOW GO!" I went. She caught me one more time at mile 5 and pushed me on. I kept in front of her and pushed a follow runner on. She did the same for me and as always I sprinted to the end.
My stats:
Chip time- 63:51 minutes
Overall place- 16338 out of 50044
Gender placement- 5423 out of 24306
Age Grade- 47.5%
With all factors in place I am proud of my race and I had fun.
We arrived at MARTA before sunrise and hopped on. We arrived at the race while the wheelchair racers were warming up.
I found my wave (E) around 6:45 am. I decided at 6:50 to leave my family to claim my spot in the line up. In the hour I waited with the many other racers I chatted with a woman near my size and we watched the helicopters fly around us.
Before my wave started I saw my cousin who was in wave J. That was exciting.
Dave Matthews was playing over the loud speaker at the starting line and my stomach felt as if I was at the top of a rollercoaster before it drops. In a couple seconds at the starting line, I was off.
Before the first 100 meters was up my family cheered me on. They cheered me on once I arrived at 10th Street. I did not see them, but apparently my mom was so excited she ran into a fence trying to make me hear her.
It entertained me every time everyone had a clear view of the runners ahead and it was just one huge mass of people moving forward. I found this interesting, now, because the race is held on the 4th of July and its also the worlds largest 10k race, the movement of masses coming together for a coming goal should be an example for every day life.
I hit Cardiac Hill and flew up it feeling strong and great. Plus, being soaking wet made it even better. The water stations every mile, the strong sprinklers, the on lookers squirting the runners and the music made the atmosphere fun. I started having a blast by playing in the water and slapping hands with the kids on the side lines.
I didn't expect a PR off this race since its my fist time running it, the amazing amount of runners (50044 finishers), my schedule didn't allow me to run for 2 weeks prior and being bloated since I will start in 2 days.
My feet started to ache and my lower back cramped up with sickness setting in my stomach I had to walk after finishing Cardic Hill a small Asian older woman comes up behind me and goes "Come on. Your fast. GO!" I started to pace with her and she went "NO! GO ON!" I went off.
That held out for a bit and then I had to walk again. She caught up and said "I caught you. NOW GO!" I went. She caught me one more time at mile 5 and pushed me on. I kept in front of her and pushed a follow runner on. She did the same for me and as always I sprinted to the end.
My stats:
Chip time- 63:51 minutes
Overall place- 16338 out of 50044
Gender placement- 5423 out of 24306
Age Grade- 47.5%
With all factors in place I am proud of my race and I had fun.
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