Monday, July 4, 2011

4th of July Freedom 5k Race

This morning I ran the 4th of July Freedom 5k .  This is a local race, not very big, no time chip for this one.  It's was my second time running it. 

Got up at 6:30 and it was already very hot outside: 85 degrees.  Yikes....
I decided to skip on the coffee and just have more water and a small bowl of cereals because I was afraid the heat would make me sick even  for a short run.

We got to the race and there was no shade to hide from the sun and I got hot really quick and long before the start of the race.  Not good.



I never take my fuel belt for 5k races but this time I think I should have.
There lots of strollers and I remember last year the start was a mess so I decided to head closer to the front this year.    Start of the race is on a fairly narrow street.   I spotted Rebekah my babysitter, she could not get to me, too many people, she said she would catch up.


The start was crazy again this year.  I don't understand why walkers line up IN FRONT of the runners!  I had to pass many SLOW walkers before I could get into a good pace.  That is very frustrating for a 5k.   Walker should be at the back of the starting line!
Same thing for the stroller.

I had a good start.  First mile went by quickly, I was feeling pretty good but I had some problems with my breathing because of my allergies.  2nd mile I was able to keep the same pace, I started feeling bad though; nausea,. chills, really dry mouth, I was sure dry heaves were next.  I knew the last mile would be difficult: all up hill.  I wanted to run the first 2 miles faster to "bank" some time.  When I got to the hill, I wanted water so bad.  It was really hot by then, over 90 and I was feeling it.  I did slow down going up and I did not have a super strong finish.




No PR.  But I did do a lot better (2:30 minutes off) than I did at the same race last year so I am happy.

Rebekah did catch up and she passed me.  I never saw her though!
I had told her that when she sees me she needs to remember I am 16 years older than her and that will give her the motivation to pass me!!!




HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO ALL MY AMERICAN FRIENDS!!!!



12 comments:

Amanda@runninghood said...

So fun! I'll be back here after my nap so that I can read and comment thoughtfully but just wanted to say Congrats...maybe not a PR but hey, 2 min from last year! This is great!! Happy 4th to you!

Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's Blog said...

Great job on beating last years time! I hate running in the heat. I am so ready for September when it starts to cool down again :)

Cari Mugz said...

I hate the heat.. I am learning this year that I do not do great in heat at all.

congrats on your race!

Christine said...

Congrats on a course PR!! 2:30 min on a 5k is HUGE!! :)

Jill said...

Hey, we have the same pink pair of Nike shorts :).

I think races in July and August just have to automatically be considered "fun" - way too hot to be doing much PRing. 2-minutes off of last year is fantastic, congrats!!

And I am totally loving that family pic at the bottome :).

XLMIC said...

Hey, you! Way to go! Cotton mouth is the WORST!!! I experienced that yesterday :( Great job tackling the heat and finishing faster than last year! Tell me the water belt thing you use and if you love it... I so need one.

Michael said...

Congrats on beating your time from last year - that's great in that heat. It's super hot here right now too. It's in the 80s here by 4 am...well, I guess it really just never drops below 80 overnight.

Great job!!

Anne said...

BRavo Caro!!!

Super les photos :)

Moi, je cours toujours avec mon eau en été, même pour 5K!

Anne said...

Un petit ps Caroline...je vois que tu as mon ancienne adresse dans ta liste de "Blogs I like to visit" :) Voici le nouveau lien si tu veux le changer.

http://anne-asthmaandthegiftofrunning.blogspot.com/

Bonne Journée!! :) :)

Laura said...

Congrats! I am with Anne...I carry my water with me every run/race I do...it is too hot and humid for me to mess around.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Congrats on the race

Unknown said...

Yay - a course PR is still a PR! :) You look so happy all the time... I love it!