AW: my first race recap since '11

[breezy8407]

I ran the Get Lucky 7k on Saturday. The temp was 16 when I woke up, and we had a nice layer of snow over ice from the night before. After the weather we've had I sort of let go of any expectations knowing it was going to be brutal. 

I drove myself and after the street parking meter wouldn't take my credit card because it was frozen, I finally found a ramp. At least I got to stay in my car longer?

I jogged over to the start and found a friend/former co-worker. He is one of those natural runners that is just always fast. I started with him and tried to keep up with him even though he was "taking it easy". The first mile was completely icy. It was impossible to get traction. There was a break when we hit a salted road, but the icy patches were everywhere so I would be going, but then lose my footing at no notice. Oh and my toes were frozen, making it even harder to sense my footing. I lost my friend at about the 2.5 mile mark. I could still see him for a while, but between dodging ice and other runners/walkers, I had to let him go. 

Anyway, I kept a pretty steady pace the whole way and kept myself just a little uncomfortable pace wise the whole way. I ended up with an 8:23 average pace and a total time of just over 36 minutes. My goal going in was just to finish under 9 minute miles, so with the conditions, I was pleased. I think I was 70ish out of over 3000 in the 30-39 AG. 

I am not sure I will do this race again next year. The swag is great ( I love the sweatshirt you get) but it is getting ridiculously crowded. There were almost 10,000 runners. There were people still in the starting corals when I finished. 


In the end it felt great to race again. I am excited for my 10k in a month, but I just wish I was motivated to put in some more miles, but I am so.over.the.treadmill. We are in a blizzard warning today, and the highs all week are only in the 20's. Get me out of here!!!!!

[maria120]

Awesome time! Congrats!! I couldn't believe how many people were there. It was absolutely crazy. And my toes were numb too and that first kilometer or two was really slick. A woman fell and hit her head right beside us. Scary. And then at the very end I was trying to sprint to the finish and then I noticed that there were HORDES of people walking and I had to walk the last quarter of a mile or so. It was SO annoying. They really need to limit the amount of runners or manage it better.

It was really fun though. And I was proud of myself for running the whole way (I haven't run more than a 5k in YEARS). Did you go out to one of the parties afterwards?

[katinthehat]

yay you!!

[breezy8407]

Mar 18, 2013 8:50:37 GMT -5 maria120 said:

Awesome time! Congrats!! I couldn't believe how many people were there. It was absolutely crazy. And my toes were numb too and that first kilometer or two was really slick. A woman fell and hit her head right beside us. Scary. And then at the very end I was trying to sprint to the finish and then I noticed that there were HORDES of people walking and I had to walk the last quarter of a mile or so. It was SO annoying. They really need to limit the amount of runners or manage it better.

It was really fun though. And I was proud of myself for running the whole way (I haven't run more than a 5k in YEARS). Did you go out to one of the parties afterwards?

Thanks! Congrats to you too! 

Wow - scary. I saw two guys at one point that looked like they had maybe ran into each other and slipped or vice/versa. They were both crouched over in the snow bank looking hurt. Yikes. 

I totally agree...they either need to limit it or have a better start/finish set up. That sucks you were forced to walk. 

[coconutbug]

Way to go!! I can't imagine trying to race on ice.

[enfuego23]

Awesome job!!

[kams]

Way to go! Ice sounds miserable. What a great pace, especially considering those conditions!

[shelbyann]

Wow, great job on smashing your goal pace, especially with all of the ice! Congrats!

[jchokie79]

Wow, you made awesome time even with the icy conditions! Congrats! I always feel like running is hard enough on its own, I don't need bad weather to content with!

[shauni27]

dude, that sounds rough! Cold, icy, snowy, and packed! And yet you killed it! Welcome back to racing

[Wines Not Whines]

Congrats! That's an awesome time, especially given the conditions!

[Brit]

Great job! You smashed your goal in spite of the cold and ice!

[Susie]

Yikes to racing on ice. You did great though! Hopefully things warm up for you soon.

[cinco]

Yay! You did amazing!

[mrsjthompson]

Good for you!

[flamingemu]

Congrats!

[breezy8407]

Thanks everyone

[amesmarie]

Great job!