Tag Archives: 5k

Oklahoma Run to Defeat Diabetes 2013 Race Report

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I got a free entry to this race through my sorority, so I really just ran it for fun (as you can see from my time). Also, I had B’s birthday party the night before and was up late, so I wasn’t really in a state to run fast!

The race was pretty uneventful, except for a couple interesting moments. I almost started running in a different 5k by accident because the courses crossed! I also got scared that I accidentally ended up on the 10k course because I felt like I had been running way longer and had missed the split. Both of these problems were due to a lack of signage or volunteers, so if the race people can get this fixed, next year’s race should go off without a hitch!

The one incident that I will remember from this race happened at the end. I was making my way to the finish, and saw a guy running in front of me. I hadn’t really pushed myself too hard throughout the race, so I decided I would try and pass him. And pass him I did! By a pretty wide margin. My legs and chest were burning, but it felt good to have a small victory. Until B told me that the race announcer quipped “Isn’t it nice that that guy is letting her pass him? Chivalry isn’t dead!”

Excuse me?

No one “let” me do anything. I didn’t slip in at the end just ahead of him. I passed him by a lot! And it wasn’t because he wasn’t giving his all. I passed him because I was giving my all. I didn’t need chivalry for that. I know I was near the middle of the pack during the race, but that small victory was mine.

So there!

Prosperity Place 5k Race Recap

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Last night, I got the impulse to search the Dallas race listings while making cookies (what a strange coincidence). I found a 5k happening 15 minutes from my house that had a pretty low entry fee and looked small and cute. You can probably guess what happens next.

I dragged myself out of bed at 7:20 am on a Saturday (the sacrifice all runners must make), threw on a top and my Nike running crops (because I knew they had a little pocket for my car key—necessary when you’re racing alone), found some cash and hit the road to Frisco.

There were less than 150 people running, and this was the first race I’d ever run with velcro, non-throwaway timing chips! I strapped it to my ankle, pinned my bib on straight (which I am a champion at now), and hit the pavement at 8:30 am.

Running such a small race was pretty fun, but I had a few complaints. There were no mile markers, which was bad for me because I pace myself on knowing how much I have left to go. Also, the race results reporting is odd. I saw the time on the clock when I finished…and the official results are like a minute slower? Um. The clock is supposed to be slower? Isn’t your chip time supposed to be the faster one? And here’s a complaint about myself: I went out way too fast because I thought it was a small race and I would have a chance at placing. Which I would have…had I not gone out too fast.

It was a fun way to spend a Saturday morning. Afterward, I showered and my parents and I saw Iron Man 3. It was a good day.

33:19/3.1 miles

29:59

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Well, I did it!

After nearly a year of running, I finally ran a sub-30 minute 5K.

It was not easy.

Luckily, I had a bunch of my sorority sisters there to help pump me up!

(FTK= For the Kids, because our race benefited Soonerthon, our dance marathon event for Children’s Miracle Network!)

The race was at night, so it was a little chilly. A neon theme forced me to break out some of my favorite workout gear: blue and purple gradient leggings, purple shorts, and a lime green shirt. Also, huge blue and purple tulle bow that got lost in the frenzy. Oops!

I started out on the far left as always, directing B and K to stand on that side in my vain attempt to mug for a picture as I passed.

This never happened because I was running too fast. Small victory or disappointment? Not really sure.

I headed out at an 8 minute/mile pace (STUPID STUPID STUPID), eventually cruising into a comfy 9:15-9:30 pace for my first mile. I took a walk break as planned (I follow the Galloway method, you should try it, it saves me from shredding my calves and I love it) and then set off again.

Since I knew I was painfully close to sub-30-ing, I spent most of the race in a mental battle. I know that I recover better taking multiple walking breaks then picking up the pace rather than running until I eventually slow to a snail’s pace (and guess what? my shins are beastly by then also). But I didn’t want to walk at all, I wanted to beast mode this 5k and power across the finish in less than 30 minutes.

Luckily, I kept yo-yoing past Tonya, one of my sorority sisters. She runs way more than I do because of her epic extracurricular activities, and I was impressed that I was keeping up with her! I would slow to a walk and she would run past, yelling something encouraging, and then when she slowed to a walk, I would run past and yell something to her. It was a pretty nice setup. Chasing after Tonya really helped me stay in the game because I had the smaller goal of “keep up with Tonya” rather than thinking “WHAT IS YOUR PACE ARE YOU UNDER 30 CHECK YOUR SPLITS FREAK OUT FREAK OUT YEAH” the entire time.

This lasted until the end of the race, at which time Tonya turned up the heat and sprinted to the finish way faster than me. But I followed close behind, legs burning with pain. I could see the race clock was already a few seconds past 30 minutes, but I knew that my official chip time had to be less. I powered through, knowing that every agonizing step I took forward would pay off when I saw a sub-30 time on those race results.

And… it did.

SPLITS:

Mile 1: 9:11

Mile 2: 10:29

Mile 3: 9:50

31:59

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This past Saturday, I ran the Oklahoma Run to Defeat Diabetes held by an OU fraternity. I wasn’t sure I was going to participate until I got a free entry through my sorority. (This race even gave us tech tees. Um, hello, so there.)

Race morning was cold and just a bit windy. While it was significantly warmer than my 5k last winter, I was still a bit chilly waiting for the gun to go off. (Speaking of, I never actually heard the gun…oops.) I intended on wearing a long sleeve tech tee, another short sleeve shirt, and long leggings, but this was not enough. Luckily, B is the Responsible One and provided me with extra layers.

This also made me look like a ninja.

The best part of this race is that I did not wish for death at any point, and that is a personal victory!

Also, I PRed, and my feet didn’t go numb (likely thanks to my new running method, the Galloway Method, google it, it’s the coolest).

Mile 1: 9:48

Mile 2: 10:46

Mile 3: 10:38

Positive splits are yucky but definitely due to my running method.

BEST 5K EVER. On to the 10k!

35.37

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This past weekend, I ran my third 5k!

Pre-race, of course.

My aunt and uncle from Dallas were planning a visit to Norman anyway, and they’re super fit people who run pretty much every day, so I signed us all up for the Hotter 5K in Oklahoma City (it’s part of the Hot, Hotter, Hottest Summer Race Series by DG Productions!).

Me, B, uncle and aunt. Yeah, I don’t know how my aunt and I are related. She clearly got all of the gorgeous genes!

The course was an out-and-back starting at Wheeler Park in OKC, meaning we ran into the sun along the Oklahoma River for 1.55 (hot) miles and then turned and ran 1.55 (still hot) miles back. 

I had been planning on running this race for a while after I axed the idea of the Color Me Rad run since it was in the afternoon in the Oklahoma heat (we’re talking 100+). This race was at 8 pm and there was a breeze! Only 92 degrees when I crossed the finish line.

(Yeah, I know. ONLY 92. Welcome to the Great Plains in July. Here’s a bottle of water, you’ll need it.)

Me and B post-race. Not cute.

I had lots of time to prepare for this race, but about three days before, I came down with some sort of mysterious cold-like illness. Sore throat, coughing, runny nose- the works. My Google medical degree said that it wasn’t strep or mono, so I decided to fight it out at home- no doctor visit. Running the race wasn’t terribly difficult while sick, but I felt especially exhausted afterwards. Breathing was easy for the first 2 miles, but the third mile was a struggle with my stuffy nose.

I ran the first two miles, then limped along during the third mile because my feet went numb (again). This is becoming a common occurrence that might need a doctor’s attention. Big frowny face. But about a quarter mile out, a nice lady running ahead of me called out to me to keep going. We ran together until the finish. Thanks, nice lady in the Red Coyote shirt! You helped tons.

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Pictures from my race tonight, the Hotter 5K at Wheeler Park in Oklahoma City! Full blog to come. Here’s a hint: I PRed!

36.20

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So, yesterday I ran my second ever 5k.

My first ever in 18 degrees.

For this race, I threw fashion out the window. It’s hard to see your cute leggings and matching compression top when you’re wearing two pairs of pants, two long sleeve shirts, a hoodie, and the race shirt over that. Add a grey ear warmer, my standby blue Nike hat and a balaclava to the mix, and I’m that kid from A Christmas Story.

Or I’m a bank robber dressed in a tutu and listening to a 3OH!3 Pandora station.

The race itself was less agonizing than one would think running 3.1 miles in 18 degree weather would be. I got warm fast, and the balaclava became somewhat unnecessary. The tutu, of course, was very necessary. The first two miles were a breeze. And then…my right foot felt funny…oh wait, it’s now numb. Party foul, foot. The extra pair of socks I wore managed to both keep me warm and cut off my circulation really well.

Despite my right foot bowing out of the race, I still finished within 20 seconds of my 36 minute goal. I was nearly four minutes faster than the 5k I ran 2 months ago.

A small but meaningful victory.

(Yes, the picture says 36.25. My time is based on the chip times of the people around me, because mine fell off during the race, effectively making me a big sad DNF. It took me at least 6 or 7 seconds to cross the start line. Trust me.)