Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Women Run the ROC 5k

 So if you notice anything about this photo---all women...except one.

Well that was the concept behind this inaugural race; all women except one man. The "one lucky man" was chosen by random drawing (I believe it was $10 an entry, with all proceeds going to charity). The start line always holds emotions, and nerves and lots of things going on, add in a ton of estrogen and one guy....I'm not sure lucky is the word I would use, but he was a good sport all the same. A few of us girls were chatting it up with him at the start, and he was giving the jokes back just as good as he was taking them.
Quite a few turns for a 5k
I had an up and down week with my workouts last week so I really didn't know what to expect. I didn't go in with the goal of setting a PR, but I knew if I had a good day it would be possible. 


This was early on in the race, you can see by my lazy form and "eh" face that I just wasn't feeling it. I pushed forward and ran the first mile in 6:10 according to the guy yelling at the 1 mile marker. I was already having issues breathing, 90% humidity makes it super hard to catch your breath. My legs felt fine, the breathing thing was a whole separate issue.

After that it just went downhill. I was in no-mans-land. I started the race in 3rd, and that is where I stayed the entire time. I could see 1 &2 but they were far enough away that it wasn't quite enough to push me and the gap spread more. The course was cool to see parts of Rochester but it was pretty quiet, few spectators and little going on. I knew it wasn't my day and I was okay with that. I have a 5k in 2 weeks that I really think will be a good race for a PR (it's actually the course that holds my PR right now).


I finished in 19:42 and the same 3rd place overall that I started. So I told myself I am not allowed to complain about my time. There was a big time in my running career where I was chasing sub-20 and it took me a long time to get there. BUT I got there, and since then I have kept most of my times under that. I had REALLY good races at MedVed ALS 5k on Father's day and again at Airport 5k this year, so that's why this was harder to swallow. 20-30 seconds feels like a lifetime in a 5K, hell when I was chasing sub-20 every second felt like a lifetime.
Saucony A5 flats officially had their first race! Also rocked my Speed run visor and spark tank.

The race itself was well run, put on by one of the local powerhouses Yellow Jacket Racing, I think if they do it again next year it will definitely grow. They had 400+ people show up for a first time race, which was pretty darn good. They also did co-ed kids races after the 5k and it was so cute watching all the kids run! I think that made it a good draw for families, women run and then the kids do.


 Have you been bummed about a time 
that you previously would have been ecstatic over?

Have you ever run an Inaugural race before?





23 comments:

  1. Girl that's a GREAT time! I think we all have to remember that every race can't possibly be our best. If it was, getting a PR wouldn't be as much of an accomplishment. You ran it, you had a good time, and the next 5K will be better. I struggle with not fully enjoying the accomplishments that I DO make because I'm pursuing something that's just a little better. I think that's good (helps us keep pushing), and bad (makes us beat ourselves up when we shouldn't). And look how far you've come - you're not chasing sub-20 5K anymore. It's chasing you!

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    1. Thanks Amy, my PR is 2 years old so I am getting a little restless but it keeps me pushing forward so that's a good thing!

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  2. Sounds like a fun race! So neat that there was only one guy there and it's all for charity! Great job girl!

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  3. I've never actually chased a goal time believe it or not, so I've never really been "let down". I guess for my first half I wanted to come in less than 2 hours and I did, so it might count! Lol. There are definitely times I just know my body doesn't feel "up to par" when I'm running or working out. It definitely kills your spirit. 3rd is great, though, and you should definitely feel good about it!!!

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  4. What a lucky man! I think you had an awesome time but totally understand what you mean about the times. As Amy said above, you can't PR at every race. There are so many factors that affect race times - location, weather, point in training, or even the time of day, So it's hard to compare one race to another. I imagine you'll see an awesome time in two weeks - this was just the warmup!

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  5. AWESOME - great job! My goal righ now for the rest of the year is to hit sub 28...next year I'm chasing down 25

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    1. I LOVE that you already have your goal for next year planned ( I do for some things but not all)....keeping your goal in mind this year and then working towards next year will definitely get you that 25 (and faster too!)

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  6. That's definitely a great time! You have to keep in mind you just finished up the ironman, the curvy course, and the fact that it's summer.

    And hey, you are ahead of the lone guy in that picture, which is kinda cool :).

    I'm glad the shoes worked out well too, I really like them and am seriously thinking of trying saucony shoes because I've read such good things on your blog and heard from others.

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  7. Nice run, congrats on a great time and a 3rd place finish! Looks like you beat the one poor....err....lucky man too.
    With all those turns a PR was probably never going to happen, just not a speedy setup...what's the next course look like? If you already PR'd there I'd say that's a better course to go all out at!

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    1. Thanks Mike! Next course is actually a harder course (less turns but more elevation changes) BUT the thing about the race is the caliber of athletes there. The race serves as the USATF Niagara 5k championships every year so there are incredible athletes there. You can't help but go faster with all that around you.

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  8. I love the concept behind this race. So funny! Congrats on an amazing time. I know you are a little disappointed, but if I could run a sub-20 5K I would be over the moon. It still rocks. Good luck with your training! xo

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  9. Congrats on 3rd overall! Question. A) Did you beat the guy B) What was his time?

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    1. Thanks Kristy~ yes I beat the guy, I think he ran 22:xx?

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  10. OMG! I am still trying to hit the 30 minute mark in a 5K! Since running is not ny strength I am pretty happy just finishing. I love the concept of the draw for the guy runner. Kind of fun!

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    1. You will get there, you work your butt off and that will pay off!

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  11. That's an awesome time, and 3rd overall? You're a rockstar, lady! The one guy is too funny :)

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    1. Thanks Jen!! You must be getting so excited for DUmbo!

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  12. Great job!! You are such an inspiration. I would love to be as fast as you :)

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  13. I didn't realize this was the same race that I probably got about 20 emails about it. It nearly rivaled that of Flower City. You just don't escape their emails.

    The course itself looks like it has a lot of turns and with the heat and humidity that is still a great job. I've had a couple of races that I couldn't take deep breaths and those types of races are just so miserable. Like I said, consider this as a tempo and you will be at a sub 19 (hopefully in 2 weeks!).

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  14. I'm always bummed, and I'm always not bummed about my times. I can't ever complain because I don't ever race or train with the time factor in mind; just the finish. But then, as soon as I finish, I start the game of "well if I had ONLY hit 2:15...or under 2...or 1:30..." I blame my parents, and then my husband. I don't know how I would feel about these things without either of their influence lol.
    I was a part of the second annual IronGirl Columbia tri and it is still great to see how far it has grown. I'm looking forward to racing it again.
    I'm still AMAZED by your time and that you want to do better! Congrats!!

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  15. I love 5k's because they are over fast... but hate them cause I feel like I have to sprint the whole thing. I am still chasing that sub 20 min 5k. It gives me hope that at one point you were too tho :). Awesome job and congrats on 3rd place. It's pretty crazy how an 'eh' race for you is still better than most runners best. :)

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  16. Sounds like a fun race and yay on starting in 3rd and keeping that place! Can't imagine a 19:xx 5k....

    I have done a couple inagrual races one was awful other was awesome. I will be doing another ingagrual race this saturday.

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