The one time I place first in my age group

I don't have many 'traditions' here in Nashville, but running the Rudolph's Red nose run with Becca is one of the few we participate in on an annual basis, despite the race being hard and the fact that I actually don't like 5ks all that much. 

2010-  26:03

2011- 24:26

2012- 24:22

This year 2013- 23:03

Couldn't get a non blurry photo

Lots of changes this year as compared to the past 3

• They finally had a packet pick up a few days before the race- they very well could have had one every year, but never was one within 2 miles of my house- super convenient and alleviated us having to get downtown early and stand around

the BIGGEST bib I've ever worn 

• New course. The race actually was postponed 1 week due to heavy rains + freezing over day of race... something crazy about 'unsafe conditions'. Although they did re-schedule the race, they all out cancelled the Christmas Parade that starts after 5k. Since no parade, they could get away with changing course. *Unfortunately this was one of my favorite parts about the race because entire streets are lined with spectators trying to get prime front row standing for parade, thus by default, will also cheer for runners while waiting. 
• Awards. The last 2 of the 3 years I ran this race I placed 4th in my age group according to the results they post on the board. Come to find out BOTH years that one of the top female finishers was in my age group, thus bumping me up to 3rd. You have to be present to receive award, so 2 years in a row I missed out on some deserved bling.  More on what happened with age group later... 

I don't do speedwork nor do I feel I'm in 5k shape, however each year I get a little bit stronger and a little bit faster. I have 3 loose goals for this race:

• Don't walk
• Beat last year's time
• Finally place and stick around 

2 of the 3 I accomplished. 

The first mile was actually pancake flat which I appreciated knowing what I gathered was in store for us based on elevation map. I didn't run with music and I hate hearing how heavy I breath, so it had me a little concerned. I know this course was a quick change due to no parade, but if they ever have to use this path again, it needs to be lit- parts were pitch black and hard to see. Clocked in first mile at 6:45

2nd mile we had turned around and headed slightly back toward start so we got to pass the runners (which I like). B knew how bad I wanted to place and when I passed her she yelled what # of female I was... don't even remember at this point. We get to pedestrian bridge and of course have to run up it. I stopped to walk and to take off my long sleeve as I was sweating. Walk #1.  When we got off the bridge we winded through broadway and up 2nd avenue. 2nd avenue is a L-o-n-g steady incline and it was always my least favorite part in the old course, so I was disheartened to see we had to run all the way up it, turnaround, then run down--- at least it was lit up with pretty Christmas lights. Walk #2 a little bit up the hill. Watch is dead so I can't verify exact time, but 2nd mile much slower at 7 something

recycling my 2011 photo

The last mile started out great because I was able to get a steady downhill in, passed B but she didn't see me, and got a nice little boost when passing my gf Kristi and she shouted my name. We had to go up the bridge again and I implemented walk #3 for a bit --- why do I feel the need to walk during a 5k is beyond me. During my little break I got passed by this girl I had scoped out as my "competition". Once we got to top of bridge and made the descent, I could tell by how easy she was taking the downhill that she had bad knees. I open my stride to pass her and then low and behold see the 3 mile sign and kick it in for the finish. Little disappointed that time was barely over 23 since its nice to see a lower number, but blew last year's time out of water on an equally as hard course. 

Afterward my "competition" came up to me congratulating me for beating her. Turns out she was a really young looking 44, so not even competition at all. 

For the first time in my adult life, I  got 1st in my age group 25-29 and she ended with 4th or 5th in the 40-44 with a time of 22:57ish... clearly that is where the competition is and not in the younger crowd. 

B and I are waiting around for awards to be announced and through asking around I find out although I did get first in my age group, that is not how the awards are being given out this year. Low and behold they change awards this year to the categories of top 3 male and female overall,  0-12, 13-18,  19-65, 66-99 You have to place top 3 in that range in order to receive award. I placed 6th in the 19-65 category, wah wah. What kind of race has categories that large? I can understand maybe 10 year ranges, but seriously 19-65?? 

As soon as we found that out, we changed and joined up with a bunch of folks for dinner. 

Overall the vibe felt different this year- maybe because they had a new event management team running it? I feel each year they scrimp on swag, after race refreshments etc. I'll still probably do it again just because it's nice to keep the tradition alive, but maybe next year I'll just dress up ridiculous and not attempt any goals?

Until next year

Rudolph 5k (race report)

The Race

2010- It sucked- 26:03

2011- It sucked. 24:26

2012- Still sucked 24:22

There are a lot of reasons why I run the half marathon distance. One of the many is that I ran cross country in high school, so attempting shorter distances like 5ks and and 10ks now are a constant disappointment to what I was once capable of. I actually HATE 5ks, so I have limited myself to one a year--- Nashville's Rudolph Red Nose Run.

I like this run because there isn't much going on in December, you get to see all the fun costumes that people wear, and it kicks off the Christmas parade so the streets are LINED  with Christmas lights and with spectators as they wait for us to finish so the parade can begin. 

On the other side of the spectrum, I hate this run because it is extremely difficult for a 5k with 3 MAJOR hills in every mile, so by the time you are done with the last hill your legs are shot and you still have just shy of a mile left. 

Love wins over hate and  B and I geared up to make it our 3rd year in a row for this run. 

as you can see, I have a love affair with wearing my red plaid skirt in the spirit of being festive. - of note: I am wearing same socks in every photo as well 

Aside from the start / finish line being on the other side of Titans Stadium, it's the exact same course as I ran in 2010 and 2011 so I'll do a brief Pro / Con list. 

PROS:

•  6pm start time- pitch black which makes the Christmas lights that much more pretty. 
• Smaller field size, capped off and sold out at 2000 runners
• Once we got down to stadium, it was easy to pick up our numbers and chip, go back to car, use restroom, and still make it to start line in plenty of time
• 2nd ave and Broadway (2 hardest hills going up, SUPER fun going down) were lined with cheering spectators.

• There was a girl running in front of me in aspaeris shorts and the candy stripe pro compression socks- made it a goal to beat her and I did. 

CONS:

• The past two years its been in the 40s at the start (great for my lungs)- this year it was 66 degrees. I was a sweaty mess during the race.
• When I went to get satellites for my Garmin, the watch just completely turned off. I hadn't used my watch in the last 2 runs, so I didn't think about charging it--- rookie mistake. 
• Despite small field size, no corrals separating the walkers from runners- was pretty congested and first mile is always bobbing and weaving. 
• Usually there is a clock somewhere on the course so I can judge my time- not this go round so I had no idea how I was doing
• I had a hard time picking up the pace even though I knew finish line was close- my legs were so dead after all the hills, I just wanted to finish. 
• Every time I tried to pass this guy in the last mile, he got SUPER close to me and just ran stride for stride with me, how annoying. I almost asked him if he scoot over and give me some room.
• I didn't break my goal of 24, finish time was 24:22--- a mere 4 seconds faster than last year, yet I felt so much stronger. 
• I placed 4th, AGAIN, and even  checked to make sure I didn't somehow end up 3rd after they weeded out overall top female finishers (that is what happened last year)--- I was dumb and was only looking at my age group in top female finishers not realizing to literally take 3 away--- I ended up getting 3rd in AG, AGAIN yet I already left. I found out last year they don't give you your award if you're not there. DANG. 2 missed medals thus far. 
• Last year they had pizza afterward- this year just water, bananas, granola bars, and bagels... boo. I can't expect too much for a 5k, but when you've ran in multiple years in a row, expectations are set. 
• Swag--- previous years we got red noses or glow sticks- this year just our shirt, a water bottle, and a towel, which I do love towels, so maybe its a pro?

Despite it being hot, crowded, and hard- I'll still probably do it again next year, only I'm retiring the red plaid skirt for this event, apparently its not working so hot for this race. 

Glad I wore black as I was way sweatier than B haha

Another year, another 5k complete. On the upside, even though I only beat last year's time by 4 sec, I am getting faster every year!!

For those that generally run the half marathon distance, what are your thoughts on the 5k?