Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Freihofer's Run for Women race report.

OK, I told you all about how great the running group is and their special gift to me. Now I'll get on with the actual race report. First, here's a look at the crew (minus a few) before the race:

Darlene, Jen M, Melissa, Janis, me, Jen F, Bridget

And here I am sharing a hug with Conal:

(Yes, I'm wearing my "Running for Two" shirt!)

After the hug, I went to line up with 3500 or so other women. The race starts in front of the New York State Museum, on a two-lane avenue that thins out about a quarter mile in to the route. It gets super crowded there in the beginning!

I was fortunate to find a decent place to line up, more toward the front than I would have liked, in part because I had to pee right before the start so I was a little on the late side. No matter, I was where I was and I was just happy to be doing the race.

Since the day was so warm and humid, I'd more or less wiped my A goal (27 min or better) out of my mind and told myself to go out and run, but run comfortably. There was no need to push it and risk overheating.

So, when the gun went off, that's what I did. I ran. Soon enough, I had settled into a good pace and felt that I was running well. I passed the first mile in 8:59. Shortly after that was the first water stop and I slowed just a bit, grabbed a cup and drank on the run.

The second mile of the race winds through the south side of Albany's Washington Park and there are two sneaky uphills so it can be tricky. I continued to feel strong and I even found myself thanking the spectators for their exuberant cheers. Normally, I'm so focused on a specific pace that I am pushing and pushing and not paying attention to those nice people who shout encouragement to the runners. It was a nice change of pace (har, har) to appreciate the spectators!

I went through mile 2 in 17:47 and started to concentrate on running strong for the third mile. Of course, my mind couldn't help but start trying to do the math to see if I could finish under 27 minutes. I knew I would have to really push in order to make that happen and I also knew that I didn't feel like I should. As I said, it was hot and, well, at 5.5 months pregnant the heat isn't something you mess around with.

So, I ran on. When we turned out of the park on to Madison Ave, which marks the straightaway to the finish line, I felt myself pick up the pace a little. And once I hit the downhill to the finish, I poured it on.

Here I am, bringing it home:


I crossed the line in 27:28 -- so close to my A goal! My bib time, however, was 27:11 and I'll take it!

Race stats:

Net time: 27:11 (8:45/mi pace)
Mile 1: 8:59
Mile 2: 8:48
Mile 3: 8:28
Last .1: 1:23
Age group place: 64/421
Overall place: 668/3521

So, yay me. Getting it done for all the pregnant runners out there!

Now, how did my awesome new runners do? Um . . . they did GREAT! Man, oh, man. They really did. This was their first race and these mamas gave it their all and made me so proud! Here's how they finished:

Janis: 31:09
Bridget: 32:47
Jen M.: 33:18
Jen F.: 35:29
Lisa: 38:02

Great, right? The best part is that they looked so happy afterward and they are already talking about their next races! How cool is that?

One of the runners has run many races but has been trying to get back to running after having her baby (who is just 6-months old):

Melissa: 30:58

And then there were my super-duper running blogger buddies who helped out over the past three months, supporting the new runners, showing up at group runs and generally being good friends and runners:

Darlene: 30:39
Suzy: 30:53
Amanda: 31:06

Everyone did SO WELL! I mean, check us out:

Melissa, Amanda, Darlene, me, Jen M, Janis, Jen F, Lisa
Bridget, Suzy (kneeling)

Those are some happy runners :-)

After the race we hung out a bit and chatted and hugged and cried and did all that fun stuff. Then, it was time for the kids' run. This was Conal's first race and it was a quick 50m. Since he's just in the little guy category, I had to run with him.


See the tongue in the corner of his mouth? That kid is focused! He loved running the race, almost as much as I did.

Once we got home, it was time to kick things in to high gear to finish preparing for an afternoon birthday celebration for Conal (and me). We had a house and backyard full of almost 60 people and I, insane woman that I am, was making pretty much all the food. Fortunately, I'd done most everything on Friday so Saturday was just the final touches. The party was great fun and even though I forgot to put out one of the chicken dishes I had made, I think everything went well. At least everyone let me think it did ;-)

Do you think I was wiped out on Sunday? Sure was! It was all worth it.

Have a great day, everyone!

~ Felice

PS: Have you entered my two giveaways over here?


27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! Great job to everyone! You're such an inspiration! I hope that I'll still run when I get pregnant...one day!

BTW, I'm having a giveaway as well!

Marlene said...

You ran so well, Felice! So did all of your ladies. Congrats again!

Conal is SO CUTE in the litte-guy dash. :)

Diana said...

Wow. Definately a great job!
Way to go Conal! You're a great role model :)

Manderz said...

I know I tell you this all the time but you are amazing. I'm so impressed by your ability. You rocked that race.

You were an amazing coach and I'm happy I got to see the transformation from nonrunners to runners.

Suzy said...

Congrats on an awesome race!! You'll be able to tell your baby that his first race was in your belly.

You are a great coach! Everyone did a great job and their excitement to run more is intoxicating.

Laura said...

Great job! You are an awesome inspiration and I am hopeful that when I am pregnant again, I will be able to keep up running as you have been! And congrats to Conal on his first race :)

Darlene said...

Congrats on your time, your inspiration... You inspired me as did the new runners!

Jen Feeny said...

Great job out there girly and way to represent! Love the racing pics with the little one. Too cute!!!

Denise said...

congrats to everyone!! i love the finish photo of you. you look great and so strong!

Goddess Librarian said...

I love how we all came from different athletic backgrounds and yet we all finished in roughly the same range of times. Nobody took an hour to do it! I think that's a testament to your training....

You should seriously just DO this. Or there's that program to encourage young girls to get into running. I think there's one in Saratoga maybe but not around here. I read it on the Capital District Fun website. You're a great trainer, a great mentor, a great inspiration. You could make some money doing this.... :-)

Abby said...

Man, you look like you're kicking ass in that picture!! Awesome job - you're setting such a good example for the next generation of happy runners.

Abby said...

I actually meant to write setting such a "cool example" - good example just sounds silly :)

Aron said...

you did so so so awesome!!! congrats and LOVE that pic of you :)

X-Country2 said...

Look at you with the teeny baby bump. :o) Pregnant lady racer REPRESENT!

Quix said...

You and the running mamas are so awesome! Congrats to everyone on the great times and the race! ;)

KovasP said...

A pregnant run and then the kids race? What an awesome day!

ihaverun said...

LOVE the pic of you and Conal! I can't wait to get my girls out there are a race!

Congrats on a great race, an awesome finish time, and being part of such an amazing group!

ajh said...

I love the pictures of you finishing the race and of you and your little boy running! So sweet!

Jennifer said...

Great job and super pictures too!

J said...

Look at you speedy mama!! Way to go! That is an awesome time! I think all those ladies have caught the running bug thanks to you!!

Anonymous said...

Love the shirt...love the finish pic!!!! Love how awesome you are running while pregnant!

Molly said...

You look fabulous in the photos, great job with your pace!

That book everyone gave you was so thoughtful, I would have bawled too!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Great race picture of you and then your son running, too! Glad to read it was such a great experience for everyone!

Unknown said...

You are so happy and authentically filled with joy with these running moms, I love to see it!

Lindsay said...

Congrats!! I am just plain impressed by mom's/pregnant mom's who run period! Life is so hectic. You are a speedy mother runner. Congrats to all your ladies as well - they did awesome!

Pining for Pinterest said...

I am super impressed! Way to go :)

Zoƫ said...

Way to go, pregnant running mama!

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