Atlanta Pride Run 2014

Yesterday I ran the 2014 Atlanta Pride Run and Walk 5K. It was my first 5K race in 2014 and the only short distance I've raced since the Oyster Bay Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. I came in first in my age group and in 6th for women. My time was 23:41.20, not my fastest 5K time by any means, but it was hot, there were a lot of hills, and everyone was talking about how slowly they ran (even the sub-20 finishers.) I'm feeling good about my time. Even while I was running the race, I thought about how I needed to reset my expectations because I have never raced in Atlanta before.

The race was held in Piedmont Park and I live right there so I walked over. I was hoping there would be baggage check so I didn't have to run with my iPhone and keys but I was out of luck. I imagine baggage check is unnecessary when most participants drive to the race. Thankfully I had thought to wear my iFitness running belt.

Sunday Funday: 31.2 Miles

I ran the Caumsett 50K yesterday, again. I know I said I retired from ultra running after Rock the Ridge, but I wanted to see if I could get a sub-5 hour finish. The answer is no, I could not.

It was really, really, really effing cold. Painfully cold. It's the first time I have ever run this race and never warmed up. I wore a sweatshirt over that top and a furry head warmer for the first nine 5K loops. I took them off for the last lap to light some fire under my ass and finish strong.

I really didn't enjoy running this race. I spent a good portion of it thinking, "This is neither constantly varied nor functional." I was bored.

We had some changes this year. We ran the 5K loop in the opposite direction and I liked it better this way. This was also the first year that there was an official marathon time marker. I entertained the idea of PRing the marathon like I did in 2012. As I approached the marker, the only thing I could think was, "Wow. The last time I ran a marathon this slowly, I was high."

Sometimes you have great runs and sometimes your runs suck. This run sucked.

Race Anxiety

So nervous about tomorrow. I have decided to run in capris instead of shorts because of the weather. Reading Fifty Shades of Grey again to calm dawn.