Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Wednesday Workout Update - Firecracker 5K Recap!

Ever since I started running, one thing I've especially liked to do is to find a race anytime I'm traveling out of town, and participate in it.  So far I've done a 10K in Maui and two races in the Santa Cruz area (Wharf to Wharf 10K and Big Sur 10.6 Miler).  Obviously I don't travel a lot, but hey - it's a start.  This year I was happy to discover that there was a race on the fourth of July in Santa Cruz, and convinced Barbara to join me...and her 10-year-old daughter, Theresa, too!

This was such a sweet community event - their local Rotary club is the sponsor, and they did a fantastic job not only with the race, but also the pre-and-post race events as well (pancake breakfast, yum).  They had a kid's 1K, a flat 5K, and a hilly 10K - something for everyone!

We all planned on doing the 5K together - Barbara has had some knee issues so I knew she wouldn't be able to run much, and this was going to be Theresa's first "running" 5K (she's done several walking races already), so we figured we'd do a little running, a lot of walking, and just have a good time.  Look, we even said so in the video (we are at the 2 minute mark):

(I know, the man looks scary.  But he was really nice!)

Well...two of us had fun.  Theresa, not so much.  We started off the race running, pretty slow, but you know how hard it is to not run faster than you should when you're surrounded by all the other runners at the start.  I've done that to myself on numerous occasions, and I think that's what happened to Theresa - unfortunately, it's a hard thing to come back from, especially when you're 10.  So we walked, and offered encouragement, but really, she was OVER this whole race early on.  As it was three laps around the park, we ended up calling it after the second lap - why prolong the misery?  Of course we all ran in at the finish line - hey, got to look good for the photographers, right?  Once we were done, Theresa returned to her normal sunny self, and we had a good time getting our fruit popsicles, goodie bags and t-shirts, and the pancake breakfast. 
Registering that morning...and also?  The man behind them is the owner of Fleet Feet Aptos, who we spent some time with a few days later - talk about a small world!
Participating in the pre-race warm up - love the dubious look on Theresa's face!
Yeah, some people got into it more than others (haha, notice I was being the photographer and not participating)
 Red, White and Blue - of COURSE we did an appropriate color theme!
In the starting area - lots of runners, dogs, strollers, but not a lot of people dressed up for the 4th of July - what gives?
Luckily this lady restored my faith in the fun run dress code! 
 
Finish line - and I'm going to employ the "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" mantra regarding my legs, blech.
Nice action shot of Barbara at the finish!
 
 They are so cute!
I'm always a fan of a frozen treat after a race!
 Forget to take a picture of us with our pancakes, but you can sort of see us in this official shot - I've never been able to really eat after a race, so maybe this is the key - cut it short?  Ha!

About a week later, the three of us went out for a walk/run along the path above the beach, where Theresa and I practiced running - we would pick a point to start and to stop ("ok, we'll start at the light pole and run to the end of that fence"), ran at a comfortably slow pace, walked in-between the running, and we did our own 5K, although Theresa didn't know we were going to do that when we started!  It was important to me that she felt good about her ability to run, and I know she was very proud of herself afterward.  I know she'll have to face running the track during P.E. at school, and I'm hoping that she has some tools to hold her own against all the sprinters out there.  And if she can find some enjoyment in running, then all the better!

24 comments:

  1. What a lot of fun Theresa, Barbara and you had. I loved seeing you in the video and hear your voice.

    How sweet of you to go again a week later to give Theresa more confidence about her running.

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  2. Awww, love the race recap, but I especially love the coda to the story. You got her to run a 5K anyway! Very clever, and very kind.

    P.S. I saw this NPR article and thought of you and your love of the power gels. I had never really considered if they were helping or hurting weight loss efforts before. I'm curious to know your opinion.

    http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/07/16/156854397/some-athletes-reject-high-tech-sports-fuel-in-favor-of-real-food?ft=1&f=139941248

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    1. Interesting article - for me, I can't eat much before I run, and can barely choke down a GU during a longer run...my stomach just does not like food when I'm running, so they work best. I hear there are some runners who CAN eat real food while they run, and there was a man in our running group a year ago who ran with a backpack full of food, but as they said in the article, the jostling of the stomach that happens to runners does not work well with eating during the run.

      As for the drinks, I sweat worse that a pig when I run in Texas (in California I could have worn my clothes a second time, they were so dry!), so I drink coconut water to replace the potassium. Again, I could have a banana afterward, but liquids are about all I can tolerate for at least an hour afterward.

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  3. How about *YOU* don't say anything about your legs? Those strong legs that are carrying you through all these races and training for a half marathon? How about that?!

    That was really sweet of you to work with Theresa on her running. Fartleks are a great way to learn how to run without thinking that you're learning :D

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  4. Love the race report and pictures and particularly the happy ending with the sneaky 5K!

    --Crabby

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  5. Looks like you had lots of fun in that race. My husband and I always talk about doing a run out of town. We really will have to check it out if we go away. Mmmm the frozen treats look good.

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  6. That is a very nice race report. LOVE the scary man's face on the video.

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  7. You are SO CUTE in that video! All three of you!

    I absolutely love that you ran with Theresa again, and complete a 5k. Your investment in her self-image will pay off more than you know. If only everyone had a Shelley to show them what they are made of.

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    1. Theresa is lucky that she has a lot of "invested" adults in her life...I'm pleased to be a tiny part of that group. :)

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  8. What a sweet race recap and I am so glad you got Theresa enjoying running and be proud the next week!

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  9. Hi Shelley. I so love your race recaps!!!!!!! All three of you look FIERCE!!!!!

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  10. Your legs? What's the matter with your legs? Look at the great things you're able to do with them - something I can only dream about doing for now. You've inspired me to at least google the "couch to 5K" thingie. One small step for a woman.....Will keep you posted.

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  11. I am so happy that you and Teresa got out there and you "tricked" her into running 5k. Walking/running is the first step to running all the way - so glad you could push her - who knows, maybe she'll become a runner?!

    p.s. your legs look awesome in that running skirt!

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  12. I like the idea of running while on vacation. I was just at a conference and got a free ball of yarn from Etsy. No clue how to knit but found out most Germans know how to knit. On Saturday I went to a knitting store and the owner told me to check out Youtube for lessons. I now am almost done with that ball of yarn. I think I'm knitting a scarf :-)

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    1. That is awesome!!! I love YouTube for knitting help. Send me a picture of your scarf when you're finished! :)

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  13. I love how you encouraged Theresa - that's so important. There are good runs and bad runs, but you should always chase a bad one with a good one!

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  14. Love the red white and blue! You guys looked great. Running with friends sure makes it more fun. And, I'm convinced that our daughters (and sons) are watching us. I know Theresa benefited from this experience. You are awesome!

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  15. Great video! The scary guy was kinda cute :) You are such a great mentor. Kids need support and good examples - you were both!

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  16. Since I'm not sure if you subscribe to comments on my blog, I'm giving the answer to your question here.

    A pace of 6:48 per km is around 10:58 per mile.
    As you can see I'm slow runner but I don't care :) I run and that's what matters.

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    1. Thanks for the translation - I didn't have any frame of reference for your pace. By the way, in my world? 10:58 is FAST! :)

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  17. you ARE awesome.
    and yep. comment on the legs. STRONG POWERFUL BEAUTIFUL AND RUNNNNNNNING.

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