Location: Hoff Park, Westerville, OH
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 40:00
Gimmick: Fourth of July race to benefit the Rotary Club (not that I actually know what that is).
I did not like this race. A lot of the problem was the heat and humidity, which just about took me out, but I also didn’t love the course. It had a lot of uphill and felt a little understaffed at some of the turns. The drivers seemed confused about what was going on and it made me nervous, especially with all the kids on the course. Also, I watched a guy puke, which was kinda gross.
I managed to roll out of bed, although my abs, legs, and triceps are still sore from my various strength training workouts from my Strong Body by Rebecca Cyber Training Plans. I was a little apprehensive that the race started at 8 AM when the weather is this hot. This race counts for Race Club 2011, so I needed to do it, but I’m honestly a little burnt out on the 5k’s.
We found the race with no problem (for once) and immediately met up with Judi in the parking lot. We walked over what turned out to be the end of the race course to get to the start line where we met up with everyone else.
Keri, Sara, Mollie, Me, Judi, and Julie. Pictures are shamelessly stolen from Judi's Facebook page, although my husband took them. Ethics of this situation?
I'm a Dracula! If you don't get that joke, go watch more NBC Thursday night tv.
We hauled on over to the start line (the guy with the microphone was getting very impatient with those of us still screwing around) and got in line at the back. That was a mistake considering how many walkers this race had. Also, the walkers lined up somewhere in the middle meaning we had to weave past gobs of them at the beginning because they were 2-3 abreast in the middle of the road. Not cool, walkers, not cool.
Lots of young children in this race. It was different.
I stayed with the group for the first bit, but a few people were going to fast for me, so I slowed down with some of the others. I ended up alone around mile 1 because I was either going too fast or too slow. No big deal except that I was sure I was going to puke or pass out around mile 1.5-2 because of the heat. Did I mention I get heat exhaustion so easily all I have to do is think about being warm?
My skirt liner started to ride up really early (that doesn’t usually happen) and I started noticing chafing around mile 2 (I don’t usually notice chafing until I’m done running). A whole bunch of people saw me adjusting the liner, but the more I pulled on it, the more the bottom rolled up. I may have to reconsider racing in a skirt. This definitely affirms my conviction that the skirt is not for more than 4-5 miles.
I don’t know how I kept running. I took my sweet time walking through the water station, but otherwise, I was running. I did a 13 minute pace overall (12:30 the first mile and 11:40 the last 0.1), but I felt like I was crawling. In the last 0.25 miles or so, I got passed by a fat kid in sandals. That was an awesome self esteem boost.
Not happy around mile 3. You can see me focusing on keeping my fingers open because it makes me feel better.
I have gotten to the point where I see the mile 3 marker and speed up without knowing that I’m moving that much faster. My heart rate topped out at 194 bpm, but it didn’t quite occur to me that I was under a 12 minute pace. I was just so happy to be done with the race and went straight for the water. Post-race, I faked stretching (I didn’t feel well) and sat around gabbing for a while. The magical goose girl gave my husband a demo of her mad animal noise skills and it made his day.
Once I got home, I pretty much showered and crawled in bed. Even the 2 hour nap did not help the wannabe migraine I’ve been fighting all day. I get migraines from dehydration, so I’m assuming that’s the cause, but I’ve drunk so much water this week that I can’t understand how I got dehydrated. Either way, I’ve accomplished none of the tasks I set out for myself.
I think I technically did everything right. I hydrated, I ate a decent breakfast and I didn’t change anything (I guess I skipped my pre-race Starbucks, but that should have helped). My only thought is that I needed to drink more water yesterday and that maybe I should have used a Nuun before the race instead of water? Any suggestions?
Happy 4th of July everyone! What are you up to today? Anyone else race?
Running On Words 
Sounds like a tough run. The heat can be a killer no matter how well prepared you try to be. I too wonder why walkers hog the road and start in the middle of the pack.
Heat is awful for sure. My race today was hot too but it was very early so okay. But I rode my bike later and that really wore me out. Hydrating the day before can help a lot. Having said that I didn’t do it myself.
Ugh, heat is so brutal! Nice job despite the yucky weather 🙂
Hi Sarah!
Sounds like you had a really tough run! Those were some really tough conditions to race under but you know what? You did it and didn’t quit, so kudos to you! 🙂
If your pee wasn’t a pale yellow (yeah, I know TMI but it works!) before the race yesterday, you probably were slightly dehydrated. I think it is also possible that the strength training may have taken its toll on your run today, in addition to the heat and humidity. Keep the intensity low for a couple of days (that’s what I did) and see how you feel come Thursday. Hopefully you’ll bounce back and be ready to tackle the half training again.
Heat is just so challenging, even if you’ve done everything right. Caffeine is actually a performance enhancer, so maybe don’t skip the ‘Bucks?
I’m with Kara in that heat just is a challenging factor….I’m still not sure of my limits in it and so I learn something new each race. I just always always always have my own water bottle on me through any runs in the summer. That way I know I’m still taking in fluids because they are draining out of me left and right.
I didn’t like the course either and I’m with you on the walkers. I’m all good with sharing the course, but that does indeed mean sharing, which means equal responsibility of being aware of yourself and those around you. Cardinal rule of sharing any pathway, be it with other runners, bikers, or walkers, is to make sure you aren’t cutting people off, stepping out or stopping in front of someone and just being aware. Didn’t really happen today and I almost killed a run/walk person because she just stopped in front of me. Hello? I’m small, but I’m sure I can still do some damage if I plow into you.
Great job toughing it out today….it really was a brutal race.
Running in the heat is the pits. Nice work finishing! And, I love your race pictures. Super cute running skirt!
I feel bad I suggested this race and you didn’t like it! Don’t listen to me anymore! 😉 Actually, the year I ran it, it was in a different location and I really liked it because it was on a mostly shaded path. It was hot that year too, but for some reason, I didn’t notice it as much. Maybe running was still fun then??
Actually, I was talking to the magical goose girl and I told her I don’t know if I really like the 5K distance, I think I tend to do better with longer distances. My problem in this race was I just went too fast and then I was done by mile 1.2. Blech. I do that everytime.
Race Club just might be all the 5K racing I need for the rest of my life!
hold the phone, your heart rate got up to 194?! impressive.
sounds like a rough day. this weekend i did a whole lot of sitting around, so i’m impressed by an awesome effort on your part!! i will not be running outside until november. yes, i’m a wimp.
I can totally relate to you on the heat. It completely takes it out of me too. It’s so hard to judge your performance when you are overheating. If you do another hot race I would definitely plan to drink more beforehand…and make sure to grab some water from every stop…grab 2 – one for your head and one to drink. Great job pushing through to finish!!
And walkers should line up at the end, but they seem to be in front of me in every race. It’s so annoying!
I have had this issue with headaches post run before as well. A good friend of mine, who is also a physical therapist & weight lifting guru, suggested I start adding Morton’s Lite Salt to my food. In addition to having less sodium, it has potassium. The theory behind this is your electrolytes may be off. It seems to help me.
Nice race! It was great to see you on Monday.
Kim
Way to push through! I have to admit to being a total heat wimp despite being from Texas. Last summer – the only races I did were in September and later when it was a bit cooler.
I’m with you – I’m burnt out on the 5K – and I haven’t even done as many as you. It’s the main reason I probably won’t do race club in the future.
And inconsiderate walkers drive me batty!
Aw, sorry the run was so hot! I really hate the heat, and never run well in it. It sounds like you did a really good job considering, though! Congrats!
I’m sorry your race was so terrible! I get migraines from dehydration also. 😦