Race Report: Picnic Island #2

This race went much better than I could have ever anticipated; however, it did not start off great.  Ben and I left the house at 5 pm to head over to Picnic Island, thinking that we would have plenty of time to get there for the 6:45 race start.  But, there was a TON of traffic.  We didn't land up getting to the park until 6:15 - ahhh!!

There was plenty of parking available, but not too close to where race registration was located.  We had to run to get our race numbers and while Ben can pee in the woods, I discovered the line for the ladies room was too long to make it before start.  I recalled seeing a restroom at the front of the park that was open, so I decided to make a run for it at 6:24, but it was over a mile round trip.  But, there was no way that I was going to be able to make it through the race with all the water I drank.

There wasn't anyone at the front bathroom so it was very quick and I ran back to meet up with Ben and spray down with bug spray before the start.  We jogged most of the race course and it was much more than a mile by the time we got to the start line.  We met up with our friends Vera and Joe and had approximately three minutes to spare before the start of the race.  Whew!

The water levels were really low for this race, so it made it a little easier than Picnic Island #1 because you didn't have to slosh through the water as much.  Unfortunately, there are also a lot of rocks in the water that were now on the shore.  Which I got caught on and fell in the first 1/2 mile or so.  SUPER embarrassing.

The remaining of the race was pretty uneventful.  I did loose my Sweaty-Band in the cargo net, but it's my own fault for wearing it to this particular race.  I will say that knowing the race course is a plus for Picnic Island.  Here are the splits from my watch:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	35:45.6	3.71	9:38
1	8:35.2	1.00	8:35
2	9:49.7	1.00	9:50
3	9:22.6	1.00	9:23
4	7:58.2	0.71	11:13

Overall, 7/58 age group, 32/298 females, 180/717 overall.  This was my best finish at at Picnic Island ever.  It was a little bit of a rushed experience at the start, but it was also helpful that the tide was low and there was plenty of cloud cover.

Here is photo of Vera and myself with our Top 50 finisher glasses:

Next and final Picnic Island will be Friday, July 13th! 

Long Run Socks

The summer in Florida is no joke, especially if you have to train in it.  And, like most runners, I am a creature of habit.  There are certain clothes that are "approved" for longer distances.  They are tried and true.  I know that they will not chafe, bunch, or irritate me on a longer run.  This includes my special pair of "long run socks".  However, I was having a hard time locating my special long run socks on Sunday morning a few weeks ago.

As I frantically searched my sock drawer for my coveted socks, Ben looked over to see what the heck I was doing.  I told him that I was looking for my special long run socks and that I need to find them ASAP or I would be late.  At which point, he rolled over and pulled the blankets over his head.  Perhaps, I should invest in another pair.  Apparently I had already worn them this week, so I had to go with my back up socks.  Sigh.  What article of clothing can you not go without?

Anyway, after I settled on my back up socks, I met Rhonda and Melanie at the Upper Tampa Bay Trail for a 8-9 miler.  The one thing about my friends is that if you talk about more than one distance, you can be sure that you are going to longer distance.  The nice thing about the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is the amount of shade that you get, especially in the morning.  However, there is a huge over pass that is not so pleasant.

Here are the splits (from June 3rd - it's been a while):

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:19:47.0	9.00	8:52
1	9:15.1	1.00	9:15
2	9:00.3	1.00	9:00
3	8:47.5	1.00	8:47
4	8:28.4	1.00	8:28
5	8:40.2	1.00	8:40
6	8:53.2	1.00	8:53
7	8:51.2	1.00	8:51
8	8:59.1	1.00	8:59
9	8:52.0	1.00	8:53

On Saturday (June 2nd), I met up with Tracey for a quick, easier run in Longleaf.  There were a lot of things going on this particular Saturday, so we met at 6 (waiting a few minutes for Natalie to bail on us, ahem!) and set out to Dianne and Craig's house and back.  Dianne and Craig live half way between Longleaf and Starkey Park.  And they are gracious enough to have a Gatorade/water buffet for the Strider runners.  Here are our splits:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:04:08.5	7.01	9:09
1	9:15.1	1.00	9:15
2	9:11.4	1.00	9:11
3	9:05.8	1.00	9:06
4	9:08.7	1.00	9:09
5	9:10.7	1.00	9:11
6	9:13.6	1.00	9:14
7	9:00.7	1.00	9:01
8	:02.6	0.01	8:16

Then, I also did a San Antonio Hill Run last Sunday, June 10th which was a long(er) run.  It was supposed to be another 9 miler, but I wasn't feeling it after the RAP River Run.  So I cut it shorter and ended up with 8.27 miles.  Clearly, I should have just done the 9 mile route.  Here are the splits:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:15:50.3	8.27	9:11
1	9:38.3	1.00	9:38
2	9:21.6	1.00	9:22
3	8:55.8	1.00	8:56
4	9:06.9	1.00	9:07
5	9:02.8	1.00	9:03
6	9:04.7	1.00	9:05
7	9:03.6	1.00	9:04
8	9:05.0	1.00	9:05
9	2:31.8	0.27	9:33

Check out THIS elevation gain!!!

Distance:	8.27 mi
Time:	1:15:50
Avg Pace:	9:11 min/mi
Elevation Gain:	468 ft
Calories:	964 C

We have been running the same 10 mile loop in San Antonio, but found another one on WalkJogRun to try.  It was much more difficult in terms of elevation gain and number of hills, but it was a nice change/challenge.  This particular run was Natalie's last hill run before her move for college.  We did our photo Kids Incorporated style:

Don't know what Kids Incorporated is?!?  Check it! (Excellent video quality of the 80s..)

(Looks like we made it!  Recognize Fergie Ferg?!?)

Finally, have you heard of this website? Hey Runner Girl  Here's a sample:

Talk about a dream come true!

Race Report: RAP River Run

Yesterday was my first actual 5k since November of last year. (I did the Kumquat 5K in January, but the distance was only 2.92 miles).  Personally, I find the 5k distance horrendous.  I'd much rather do a longer distance race where I can really settle in to a pace.  I was really hoping to break 25:00 at Rap River, but was going to be realistic with myself as far as the heat/humidity was concerned in a June race.

I was able to pick up our race numbers and "packets" the day before, so Ben and I didn't have to arrive too early.  We have a special parking location near Fitzgerald's in downtown NPR that I always like to snag in the morning.  We arrived and set out on the new 5k course to warm up a little and stretch before the race started.  I knew that in order to break 25:00, I would have to maintain a 8:02 or better pace for the entire race.

The start line had markers for different pace per mile, I had thought that I would line up where I thought appropriate.  However, I should have realized that other runners don't always pay attention to the markers.  The first lap around the lake was a little hectic, but I hit the first mile a little faster than I wanted to.  I knew that I had to calm it down or I was not going to be able to hold on for the remainder of the race.

However, I totally lost focus after the first mile.  I can not really pin-point any one particular thing that went wrong, but it was not my day - and that's okay.  This was the fastest 5k I've ran since 2004, so I'm making progress and will keep working at my speed.  I will aim for another race when it cools down a bit in the fall.  And as Ben says, I should probably build a bridge and get over it.  Here are my splits from my Garmin:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	25:26.0	3.14	8:06
1	7:40.4	1.00	7:40
2	8:11.3	1.00	8:11
3	8:26.9	1.00	8:27
4	1:07.4	0.14	8:03

Official chip time is 25:25, 8:12 per mile.  8th out of 65 in my age group, 211 out of 923 overall.

Official age group results are HERE

The other really great thing about the Rap River Run is that PHCC participated in the Team Challenge this year.  Our college president is on the board of the RAP House and suggested that we form a team.  Admittedly, we completely slacked on coordinating a team outfit for the race, as pictured below:

Ben, myself, Bobby, Merissa, Julia, Ana, Bob and Alex

But, we totally won the Fastest School Team Award!

It was a great moment with my co-workers as we talked over breakfast about what campus we should house our huge trophy on.  And how we would need to get a big case with mirrors for all of our future awards. =) 

Team results are HERE

Next up, Picnic Island #2 on Friday Night!