Monday, January 11, 2010

HMRRC Winter Series 10K race report

Alternatively titled: Running with others is good for the soul.

When I woke up on Sunday, the thermometer outside my bedroom window read -2. I'm going to run in this? So I went downstairs and looked at the thermometer outside the kitchen window: 3 degrees. Just like that I had gained five degrees!

Still, it was cold. I bundled up, basing my attire on what I had worn for Saturday's chilly run, and left for the local road runners club race. Driving into Albany, the big billboard that has the time and temperature said it was 4 degrees. Brr!

The HMRRC Winter Series races are held every other week (or thereabout), starting in December and ending with the Winter Marathon and Marathon Relay (which I'm running with Amanda and Suzy) in February. Sunday offered a 5k, 10k and a 25k. At first, I signed up for the 5k but then decided that if I was going to get out there in the cold, I was going to run 10k. And so I did.

But first, I had to meet up with Suzy and Amanda! Now, if you will recall, Suzy is the blogger that I barged in on back in October. So, I had already met her, but I hadn't met Amanda. Well, as I was waffling over which distance to run, I saw Amanda signing up for the 5k and Suzy volunteering at the sign up.

We all chatted like old friends, signed our marathon relay form (woo hoo!) and then Suzy snapped this photo of Amanda and me:

Notice our rocking color coordination! I should have taken off my jacket and then we really would have been some Pinkies!

Anyway . . . the race.

I forgot my Garmin. At first, I was bummed. How was I going to know how I was running (this no-frills race series doesn't offer mile splits or markers of any sort)? Well, I wasn't. I just wouldn't be able to know. Instead, I would have to run by feel. And that's what I did. I just went out there and ran. I ran and ran. Not my fastest, not my slowest. I just ran.

It was terrific!

At one point, an older man ran up beside me and said we'd just crossed mile 4 in 32:46. I thanked him and figured he'd run on. Nope. He stayed with me and we chatted for almost a mile. I never do that. I'm a solo runner! I'm no chatter! Or am I?

The mile that we ran together flew by (or so it seemed) and when he took off I was oddly disappointed that I no longer had anyone to run with. Hmm . . . I kept on running and running and crossed the finish line in 51:24.

I haven't run a 10k in forever so I wasn't sure what to expect. And with the weather -- well, the weather wasn't ideal (officially, 9 degrees at the start) but it didn't stop me. I'm proud of that!

After the race I went back inside and learned that Amanda had set a 5k PR! How cool is that? Super cold day and the girl sets a PR. Rock on!

And what else . . . well, I won a yummy loaf of bread because I was the second place female finisher in my age group (30-39)! Yay!

Here are my stats:

10k time: 51:24 (8:16 pace)
Overall place: 51/105
Female place: 13/42
Age-group place (F30-39): 2

The award was nice and an unexpected bonus. But the best part of the race is that I was buoyed by my running bloggy buddies (just knowing that I was going to meet up with them got me out of the house in the morning, and their wishes of good luck before the race gave me extra pep) and the camaraderie on the course. Since I normally run alone, I've forgotten how wonderful it can be to run with others. It lifts you up. It gives you a feeling of being a part of something, not apart from. Yesterday, that feeling was wonderful. All of us were battling the cold and winning, simply by being out there. We were running together. I loved it.

Ah . . . I feel a little wistful today. I already can't wait for the next race!

I hope you all had a good weekend. Have a great week!

~ Felice

PS: There's another giveaway starting today at my other site: Some shielding lotion to combat winter dry skin. Check it out :-)


36 comments:

Goddess Librarian said...

This is so awesome!! I'm so happy for you!

X-Country2 said...

Whoa, that's hardcore. Great work!

Manderz said...

I couldnt agree more. The feeling that you get being amongst all those runners in amazing. I am so glad we got to meet!

That bread looked yummy! I need to kick it up a notch so I can win my own ;)

Steel Springs said...

Awesome race! Congratulations on the second place finish. Enjoy the bread!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

I can't imagine how many layers I'd have to pile on to be comfortable in that kind of weather!

Congrats on your win! That's my kind of prize - food!

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a great race!! I enjoyed reading about it :)

Katie A. said...

You are HARDCORE for heading out into 4 and 5 degrees! And an AG win while not even trying - awesome!

Jill said...

That temp is even a little below my outdoor limits bu way to go! Of course, I love the pink!!! :)
Congrats on a great 10K!

Quix said...

You rock for #1 - leaving the house when it's that cold when you didn't expressly have to and #2 - having such an awesome run in it! And I'm not a talker either but I ended up chatting with a relay racer on the first lap of my half (it was a relay and a half)and she cheered for me each time she saw me. It was super cool!

Tricia said...

Sounds fun, great job!

Suzy said...

Congrats again! It was wonderful catching up with you at the race.

Jocelyn said...

Not sure how you managed to do it in such cold weather! Great job!

Allie said...

Great time and congrats on 2nd place!!!

Katie said...

Congrats- you were a speed demon on those freezing temps! How fun that you guys got to meet! I'm looking forward to reading your relay recap after you guys race it. Again, nice work!

Lara said...

Awww, I LOVE running with other people, especially during races! Somehow I get pretty chatty during races, and yes, it really helps the miles to fly by! Someone told me that if I'm talking then I'm not running hard enough... possibly that is true. But I'm having a fabulous time, and that's more important to me. Good on ya for getting out in 4 degree weather!

Molly said...

what a great sounding run!! I love how you just "ran" it, and did so well! congrats!

ajh said...

Sounds like a good time. I also don't like to chatter while racing. It's interesting that you did yesterday! I don't mind the occasional passing comments but I am not good at racing with a lot of talking. Keep on racing!

Anonymous said...

Well done! It is nice to run with others every now and then. Cute picture.

Unknown said...

What a great race for you! Sounds like it was fun and you had a great pace! It's so fun to run with others and sometimes just knowing that friends are running the same race is so fun! Have a nice week!

Pining for Pinterest said...

What a great race time!!! I love to run with friends because it does help the time pass so much quicker :-)

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Fantastic job on the race!!! Congrats!

Kenley said...

Great Race Report. Congrats on the 10K time. Sounds like you had a great time of it out there, even with the weather being cold. Have a good week.

Diana said...

That is fabulous! I'm so happy for you that you found some awesome in-person running friends :)

J said...

Sounds like a great race and second in your age group is awesome! Congrats! It must have been super cold - it was freezing here Sunday morning!!

Lindsay said...

congrats on the ag award! :)

always fun to run with others, makes the cold much more manageable! hope you are able to run with your new runner friends more often.

Denise said...

congrats on the award! you ran a great race, in freezing cold temps!!

running with people really does make the distance fly by. love my running buddies.

Midwest said...

I totally love your striped hat!

Being Robinson said...

nice 10k time, and yeah, somehow running with friends makes it soooo much better and easier, especially when it's just STUPID COLD OUT! :)

Being Robinson said...

nice 10k time, and yeah, somehow running with friends makes it soooo much better and easier, especially when it's just STUPID COLD OUT! :)

Ms. V. said...

nice job on the race! minus 2? I would die.

ihaverun said...

Someday I am going to have to try running with someone (besides my little girls)! Congrats on your race!!

kara said...

Yeah - I always find it strange when someone starts talking to me on the race course.
It's usually older guys - bummer...
WTG on your pace : )

Unknown said...

Congrats on your race! I love the idea of running with other people but still running at your own pace and not feeling the pressure to stay together. I'm a newbie and looking for a local club now. Thanks for the motivation.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Marlene said...

Congrats on the 10K and big kudos for getting out there in the bitter cold!

The Laminator said...

Great race, great report, and great loaf of bread! Haha! Congratulations!

I want to take your lead and run slower in my next 10K so I can make some friends mid-race...maybe that's the secret to an AG award?

sarah (SHU) said...

9. degrees! i can't even imagine. OMGGGGGGG!!!!!!! you are a hero for even doing it -- and a great job to boot!

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