For the past 3 years, including this year, I have participated in the Turkey Trot 5k, hosted by Hagerstown Community College (stay close, go far). As I have mentioned in my previous recap of this race, this was my very first 5k, so it is very special to me! I competed for the first time in 2009.
Not long after, I suffered back pain which may have caused the numbness in my thigh. Thankfully, all that had passed and I have been able to compete in it 3 more times after that!
It was also Peter's first 5k just last year.
Anyway, we arrived just short of start time to grab our race packets. Typically, I show up to races way early, but ever since I've stopped getting pre-race jitters, I try to arrive just in time. We arrived at 8:30, which gave us enough time to attach our time chips, bibs, and throw the packets in the car. Since this race does not have official photographers and Peter, my back up photographer, was participating, I had to rely on my GoPro to capture the race itself. So I attached it to my cap, made adjustments and by the time that was done, it was time to race!
If you didn't catch it in the previous post, here it is!
Here's my commentary!
It was freezing and as much as I have been told to warm up before a race, I never do. Maybe it's laziness or I just feel stupid doing it, but I never jog around prior to a race. So when the race gun shot off, it took a while for my body to adjust to the temperatures. I started off at a quicker pace to try to warm my legs up, but going too fast in the beginning can ruin a race at the end. I did my best to keep consistent and not to let the quick first mile ruin me. I was able to settle into a good pace about a mile in (1:00 into the video).
In all honesty, I was hurting pretty early. The cold air felt like glass on my throat and stabbed my lungs. Going uphill also killed me despite running many hills over the past few weeks. For some reason, my legs felt like glue when I had an incline. I still pushed through the pain and did my best. I knew that a great Thanksgiving dinner would make up for this pain.
As I made my way through the second lap, the amount of runners thinned out and that's when I knew I was in the top half of the group. Despite the discomfort, I performing above average. Yet, the miles seemed longer now just because I was ready for it to be over. With one more mile to go (around 2:00 into the video), I had to dig deep to keep at pace.
At the 2:38 mark, I was passed by a runner in pink who I had not noticed previously. I envied her. She must have been behind me for the majority of the race, but had the energy to speed up. I tried to stay on her tail and maybe catch her at the end, but I wasn't that lucky. Our gap only widened.
At the end of the video, I slowed it down to show the BIG finish (3:00), which was still in good time. As soon as I stopped the video and took the camera off, I was approached by the runner in pink. I didn't recognize her at first, but she knew my name. She introduced herself as Gabby and it clicked! The Running Goober! It was my first blogger to blogger interaction. Unfortunately, I was huffing, puffing, and dying. Probably didn't leave the best impression. Sorry, Gabby!!! It was still nice meeting you and I will see you in Disney! :o)
I quickly made my way back around to the track to wait for Peter. You will catch a glimpse of him finishing at 3:20!
So here's the stat rundown for the both of us:
Mine
Finish Time: 23:36
Average Pace: 7:37
Overall: 91/697
Females 20-29: 12/89
Peter
Finish Time: 25:12
Average Pace: 8:08
Overall: 124/697
Males 20-29: 20/54
We both did very well, but like me, Peter also complained about the pain in his lungs. Although neither of us are strangers to running in the cold, this was the first race we did this year, so we ran that much faster and breathed that much harder.
Anyway, once I returned home and showered, I put on my 4th Turkey Trot shirt, which I loved this year.
Peter and I both matched by the end of the night.
This will be my last race of 2014. That's the plan for now, anyway! My next race will not be until January when Peter and I will be in Disney for our honeymoon. About 40 days to go! I can barely contain the excitement! I have always wanted to do a Disney race! My dream will be a reality soon!
Did you do a Turkey Trot this year? Where and what was the distance? How did you do?
Have you ever met a fellow running blogger in person?
Do you wear your race shirt same day?
Finish Time: 25:12
Average Pace: 8:08
Overall: 124/697
Males 20-29: 20/54
We both did very well, but like me, Peter also complained about the pain in his lungs. Although neither of us are strangers to running in the cold, this was the first race we did this year, so we ran that much faster and breathed that much harder.
Anyway, once I returned home and showered, I put on my 4th Turkey Trot shirt, which I loved this year.
Peter and I both matched by the end of the night.
This will be my last race of 2014. That's the plan for now, anyway! My next race will not be until January when Peter and I will be in Disney for our honeymoon. About 40 days to go! I can barely contain the excitement! I have always wanted to do a Disney race! My dream will be a reality soon!
Did you do a Turkey Trot this year? Where and what was the distance? How did you do?
Have you ever met a fellow running blogger in person?
Do you wear your race shirt same day?
It was so great meeting you! I'm sorry you were hurting so early in the race :/ Great recap and your GoPro video turned out really well!
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