Saturday, July 19, 2008

A New PR

I got up this morning at 6:3o am (the earliest I've seen daylight in quite some time) to participate in the LakeFest 5 Mile run. The one mile fun run started at 7:15 with the 2 mile and 5 mile runs starting at 7:30 am.

I got there about 7 am with my water bottle and Captain Crunch cereal (yes, I know, not healthy, but it was all we had that I thought I could stomach before a race). It was a nice walk over to the registration and start line. Got registered and picked up my t-shirt (very cute, by the way) and then sat down to listen to the latest episode of the Dump Runners Club and ate my cereal. Once the fun run started, I ran to the port-a-potty and was ready to go.

I don't have a good gauge on how many runners there were because they started the 2 mile and 5 mile races together. There were probably around 50 people, maybe a few more.

The route has one short steep incline and then a bunch of slight inclines and descents. It has an out and through town and then a loop around Culver Academies, with the last mile and a quarter along Lake Maxinkuckee. Unfortunately, the previously mentioned short, steep incline comes in the last half mile. It is followed by a short flat stretch and then a downhill into the finish line.

Here are my averages:
Mile 1 9:10
Mile 2 9:00
Mile 3 9:05
Mile 4 8:52
Last .91 8:49
Average: 8:59
Total: 44:07

I felt good starting out, just concentrated on running at a comfortable pace so I wouldn't loose steam at the end. I kind of fell into pace behind a couple of other runners. After a bit, I found myself catching up with them and passing by. I felt pretty much alone during the third mile as the runners were fairly stretched out.

In the fourth mile, I caught up to two more runners and then there was quite a bit of distance between me and the next group of runners. The last mile is along an asphalt path the follows the lakeshore but gets a bit narrow going up the hill and through what is called the Indian trails. I passed one runner just before the hill and then caught up with two more runners just before the hill. I realized that I knew one of them (she used to work in my office). As I got next to her, I apologized for the heavy breathing. She laughed and said she was doing plenty of her own. We ran together through most of the Indian trails and then I managed to pull out a little more energy, passed her, and finished strong.

I came in 25th overall and 2nd in the 36-40 age group.

Publish Post

7 comments:

Kelly said...

Nice race! You should be very proud. With all those inclines and descents? That's why I love my 0% incline treadmill. I cheat.

Mom on the Run said...

Thanks Kelly. I'm happy with it. You had a good run, too! Keep at it. When I run on a treadmill, that incline is at 0%, too! :-)

Joe S said...

Congratulations!!! Was it as hot out there as it has been the East? Great race and a second place to boot! Any medals come with that second place finish? I sure hope so!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Joe! It has been hot here for about the last week, with temps in the 90s and high humidity. Today, relief from the high heat is here, still a little humid, yet, but that is what summer is about, right?

Yes, got a nice medal. The race t-shirts were very nice, too, something I won't wear for running.

Hope the heat relief gets to you soon.

Mom on the Run said...

Oops, forgot my husband was logged in when I left the comment. It is really from me.

Karen

Rick said...

Congratulations, Karen! Great job and nice consistency in your pacing. A very well-run race.
;)

Sarah and Mattie said...

Karen,
I'm so impressed. Great PR at Culver. I didn't realize you were still running, and now it appears you are a TRUE running fanatic. That is so great. Glad you are following the BLOG. I had to read your blog to figure out who "Mom on the Run" was. Ha.
Hope you are WONDERFUL!
Cheers, Sarah Kendrick Kline