Bud Break 5k 2008 - Race Report

Holy Crap! I have never seen such hills in my life! Probably not the best course for the first race with the twins! But it was still fun. At least I hadn’t planned on getting a good time or something like that so that I would be disappointed.

I started off at the back of the pack, because I didn’t want to be in the way with the double stroller (we are not the easiest to pass). But I didn’t think about all the walkers which I ended up behind…It took a good 30 seconds just to cross the start line, and at least a full minute before I could even try to start running. The pathway was pretty narrow for the 500 people who were registered since it was basically a wide sidewalk.

Once we got going, it was just huge hill after huge hill pretty much the whole way. I ended up walking up most of the hills and trying not to let the stroller pull me too fast on the downhill sections. My calves were just burning by the end of the race.

But, we had fun. DD was ‘talking’ to half the runners/walkers that we passed (or passed us). I couldn’t see her, but I can only assume she was waving at each one (waving is one of her favorite things to do). DS was quiet most of the run, but got a little crabby near the end – no serious crying though. Both had huge smiles once the race was over and they got out of the stroller.

It was beautiful running weather (a little chilly for the little ones though). Low/mid 50s with just a little breeze and some sun coming through the trees.

I finished somewhere over 38 minutes, which is close to what I expected. This morning my legs are sore in new places – I guess that means I got a good workout!

Stats
Race: Arboretum "Bud Break"
Date: May 4, 2008
Distance: 5K
Official Time: 39:36
Average Pace: 12:45
Overall Place: 264/423
Place in Age Group: 38/59

Next race: 6/1 – Grand Old Day 8K (my first race longer than 5K). I registered last night.

Snowy Spring Weekend

This is what I woke up to on Saturday...Yeah it is pretty, but seriously not good to see on April 26!! Anyway, it was pretty much melted by midday, but it stayed chilly all weekend.

I went to the gym Saturday morning (didn’t make it Friday like planned). I finally gave the new Serena Williams “Spontaneous Speed” workout a try. I really like her first interval workout, so I had high hopes for this one. Honestly, the music was pretty good but I felt like I was constantly changing the speed on the treadmill. I guess that is the point – there are lots of intervals of varying lengths, but I just felt like the people around me must have thought I was crazy and couldn’t figure out how fast I wanted to run. Some of the intervals must have been about 30 seconds with a 30 second recovery then one minute interval etc… Whatever, I did get a couple mile speed workout in.

Sunday was my first planned “long run” in months. I mean, I have been lengthening my runs, but there hasn’t really been one run that was significantly longer than the others. I went to the Lakes area in the afternoon. It was a little chilly (around 40 degrees) so I just wore pants and long sleeves. I started out on Lake Calhoun and then connected to Lake Harriet after the first 2 miles. I figured it would be just under 6 miles (Calhoun=3.1 miles, Harriet=2.8 miles, thus total=5.9 miles, right?) Well, I didn’t account for the distance between the lakes. I looked it up this morning and found a site that has the total Calhoun-Harriet loop to be 6.8 miles. Well, I overlapped a little at the beginning (changed my mind on which direction to run) and at the end my Nike+ said I had run 7.14 miles! That is a distance PR for me!! My previous longest run was 6.3 miles.

But can you believe it…the last mile or two was run in the snow!!! And since I was just wearing a long sleeve t-shirt, I was wet and cold by the time I got back to my car. I was still trying to shake the chill an hour later.

I couldn’t believe how many people were out in the chilly weather though. There were runners, lots of walkers, bikers, rollerbladers (I didn’t know so many people still rollerbladed). It must be hard to get around when the weather is better. I think I am going to have to check out some of the other Twin Cities running routes. I am thinking maybe downtown along the Mississippi will be next. I found a website that has a good list of running routes.

Spring Flurries?

I am sitting here working and watching it rain outside my window. I figured I would go to the gym tonight for a run, because I hadn’t done any strength training all week, so the rain wasn’t that big of a deal. But I was wondering if it was going to rain all weekend since I want to get a long run in – I was thinking of actually driving to one of the lakes and doing at least 5 miles. I have run the 10K distance a couple times, but it has been a while. I need to start building up for my future 8K, 10K, and 10mi races that I am hoping to do this year.

So anyway, I just checked the weather forecast for the weekend…we may have snow showers on Saturday!!! WTF?!?! In less than a week it will be May! NO MORE SNOW!! It looks like Sunday would be the better day for a run…high of 47 (what happened to the 60s?) and only 10% chance of precipitation.

Ok, maybe Lake Calhoun on Sunday? It is just over 3 miles around the lake, and I can add on one of the nearby lakes for just under 3 miles for a total a little shy of 6 miles.

Anyone know any good running spots in the Twin Cities, I am up for suggestions. I have never really ventured outside of my neighborhood before except for a race.

Stroller Training

There is a paved trail near my house that I have only been on in one direction (it goes to a nearby lake). I have been wondering all spring where the other direction of the trail goes. However, there were so many trees along the trail that I could see there was still snow on it long after most of our snow had melted. Plus, I wanted to use that as a long run so that I could really see where it went – I mean, I knew the first mile or so because it is comes out along my drive to work. Anyway, I finally made it down the “Regional Trail” as the signs call it. The kids and I went out for a longish run on Wednesday (a distance PR for a stroller run). Most of the trail was pretty boring, it went around the local country club and was mostly a large sidewalk along some local roads. However, it had some GREAT hills! I never thought I would learn to appreciate hills. Not the super-steep hills that are down the street from my house that I won’t even try to run (up or down). But reasonable grade and length. The kind of hill that at the top I really felt like I accomplished something by running the entire hill *especially with that double stroller* and had to remind myself not to take the downhill too fast because there was another hill waiting for me at the bottom. It turns out the trail doesn’t go that far though…just under 2 miles from home it suddenly ended. I got to a stop light and there was no trail, not even any sidewalks in any direction except the one I had come from (and it is a somewhat busy road). So, I turned around and went back.

The trip back through those hills was tougher than the way out though, since I was now running into the wind. If I was by myself it wouldn’t have matter as much, but that stroller really drags in the wind. I made it back up all but the biggest hill without walking. I felt really good about the run overall, but now I feel like I need to go back in a couple of weeks and conquer all the hills both ways. The total run was 3.69 miles according to Nike+ at an average pace of 11:40 (which is pretty decent considering the stroller & hills). I checked at 3.11 miles and I was just over 36 minutes…

My next race is coming in only a week…assuming the weather cooperates, this will be the first race I will run with the stroller. It is suppose to be a beautiful course, it is a 5K at the Univ of MN Arboretum. However, a coworker who has run it in past years told me that it was pretty hilly. I am not even worrying about time for this race, it is more about hoping the kids are good. Then we can walk around the arboretum and check out all the spring blooms! Hopefully we have a nice day!!

My "Florida Run" in Minnesota

So, I spent the Wed-Fri in FL for a conference. I was sooo looking forward to some beautiful weather to run in for a change. I even went online and found the website of the local running club which listed out some of their favorite running routes/locations. And guess what? There was one that went right by my hotel! How lucky could I be?

Unfortunately, the conference was so busy and short and I wasn’t going to be there at all before or afterward. I figured I could get up and run in the morning before I had to be in ‘class’. I had done this before when out of town. Since I didn’t have to drive anywhere, I should have plenty of time, right? Well, the first morning I got up and put on my running clothes…I went to the balcony to see how cool it was (did I need to grab the jacket?)…the hotel was literally on the beach, and it was so dark that I couldn’t even see the water! Now, maybe if I hadn’t seen a snake slithering through the grass the day before I would have still ventured out, but I decided against it. I also was not able to get a run in that night, by the time the dinner event was over it was getting dark again.

So, the next morning I woke up and reserved myself to the steamy fitness center (not a fan blowing) just so that I could get a run in while out of town. On the bright side, I caught a bit of the sunrise over the ocean on my way back to the room.

So, I got back Friday night and took Saturday getting everything back in order. Sunday was so nice that I just had to get out. I got the kids strapped in the double-wide and headed out. It was the beautiful weather I have had the pleasure to run in all year (so far). We stopped off at the park and the kids each got a turn on the swing. It turned out to be a wonderful time – much better than FL…so, I managed to get my Florida run…just in Minnesota!