ORCC Turkey Trot (Race Recap)

Official Time: 37:08

Division: 3 / 506

Gender: 75/4217

This year was my 3rd time running the Turkey Trot 5 miler... that's enough to now mark it as a "tradition"  that my brother, Eric and I will continually take part in as long as we're both in town for Thanksgiving right?!?!

This year there was a lot of hype because:

1. It was the 35th anniversary of the race
2. Our Turkey Trot is officially the largest Turkey Trot East of Mississippi with 10,750 runners / walkers
3. New course that featured a few downhills. 

I'm not a fan of racing 5 miles as I go out too fast, die, then pick it back up again in the last mile or so for an attempt to 'finish strong'. This was true for 2010 race (left- time 40:36) as well as 2012 race (right- time 38:31)

This year I was hoping to not repeat this pattern (spoiler alert, I did), but also I wanted run something in the 37s- no particular time, just faster than the previous year. 

As mentioned above this is a brand new course, so despite my superb map reading abilities, I really couldn't get a handle on what it would be like race morning other than its "fast with a few downhills", so I was coming into it with the mindset of everything will be a surprise. 

Yes... Eric is wearing the same shirt as the above 2012 photo... no he did not have any starring role in Star Trek. 

For those that know me... I like to run practically naked- skirt and tank is my go to. I draw the line and add on the layers when its in the 20s. Today's start line temp was 23 degrees... thats colder than last week's Route 66 1/2 in Oklahoma. What is even more cray cray is that it was 18 degrees in Nashville- for once its better to be in Ohio than TN.

Eric picks me up at 6:15 to avoid traffic and we managed to park about 1 mile away from start line. As we're sitting in the car, one of my middle school / high school friends, Laura, bangs on the door to say Hi before she picks up her packet. Next year, Eric and I are totally going to do race day pick up vs. fighting the crowds the day before- ridiculous. 

We managed to cycle through bathrooms (no line) and head up the hill to start with 45 min to spare. That much time standing around in the freezing cold is not fun, nor do I plan to arrive this early as there was nothing to do. I did manage to watch the beautiful sunrise....

.... as well as run into my cross country coach of 4 years- Coach Russ (I love running into blasts from the pasts when racing at home) 

Mile 1- 6:45

Despite starting in the first corral (there were 4 this year which included an elite corral, under 30 min), it was crazy congested the first 3/4 of mile and I couldn't have gone faster even if I wanted to due to all the bobbing and weaving.  Unfortunately as I was acquiring satellites I realized my watch developed a mind of its own and changed the settings- I wasn't able to see my pace until a mile was clocked.There was a slight but long down hill toward the end of the first mile. I love downhills, however with the cold it was really prohibiting opening up my stride, so I was starting to get discouraged that I wouldn't be able to beat last year's time since I calculated I was running in the 8s. Unfortunately as I was acquiring satellites I realized my watch developed a mind of its own and changed the settings- I wasn't able to see my pace until a mile was clocked- I was utterly shocked when I saw my first mile time.

Mile 2- 6:41

I do feel like I'm going too fast, but again no idea my pace. There was another downhill in this mile which I tried to coast and then the rest was relatively flat. Field was starting to spread out which made it nice to have a few people in front of me to judge my pace in relation to them. After the 2nd mile I realized I would really have to screw things up not to hit my goal. 

Mile 3 - 7:48 & Mile 4 7:47

I died- the end. I had to stop to tie my shoe (3x this race, mile 3, 4, and 5) and in doing so my legs decided to rebel and would not turnover. We reached the pancake flat out and back part of the course which I always find surprisingly difficult to run on all flat surfaces for longer than a mile (Welcome to Nashville!) It was nice to see all the runners on the back portion, however I kept experiencing that self doubt talk "I want to be taking it 'easy' like some of them, maybe next year I won't try to race it" Despite the thousands of runners, I did manage to spot Eric, he did not return the recognition and didn't respond to my calls. 

Mile 5- (slowest mile) 7:55

Surprisingly we had 2 slow uphills in the last mile- cruel to have 2 downhills at the beginning and then save the hardest mile for last. There was a lot of winding around a driveway until we could finally see the finish line in the distance. Still couldn't turnover very well, so instead of a giant kick I just tried to pick up the pace slightly. There was a girl "racing me" and I wanted to turn to her and say "its okay, i'm in the Dame division, no need to race"... she wouldn't let up, but I think she realized she picked up too soon and I pulled ahead. I crossed the finish line with time of 37:08. Although excited, had I known I was 8 sec from breaking 37 I would have picked it up sooner or maybe only taken 2 tie shoe breaks instead of the 3rd in the last mile. 

I ran back about 400 meters to wait for and cheer on Eric - captured this gem of him getting beat by a youngster ;) 

Ran into Laura while searching for Eric and we all walked the mile back to our cars. No frills, no after party, run and done. 

Later that afternoon I checked the results and I got 3rd in my division... beat out the 4th place girl by 3 sec, wowzas. Last year unbeknownst to me I had placed 4th in my division and only realized it when a month later I received a plaque... I checked the rules and I guess top 5 get awards- doesn't make me feel as special but I'll take it! 

Although there isn't a lot of excitement with this race there a few things that keep bringing me back:

• Oppty to run into people I haven't seen in years- every year I spot a friend and am able to catch up whereas otherwise I wouldn't really have oppty to do so. 
• My brother is willing to do this as well so its a nice brother / sister bonding time to share in the woes and triumphs of the race. 
• I can continually improve. Since I don't race the 5 mile distance, the only races I've done for this distance have been this one. Each year I am able to run faster and its definitely a self-esteem boost to continually see improvement.

I'll be back for 2014 aiming to run low 36s / high 35s. I would say that probably my favorite aspect of this race is that I keep doing it. I can always compete against myself and continually improve each year. I'll be back again for 2014 and will definitely be aiming to run low 36s / high 35s.

Did you race a Turkey Trot this year?

Turkey Trot 5 Miler (Race Recap)

The Race:

The Conditions:

30s, low 40s--- frigid cold!

Results:
Official Time: 38:31- 7:43 pace
Overall Finish: 787/7279
Sex Place: 166/3901
Division: 5/458

 I ran this exact race 2 years ago with Eric on Thanksgiving-- this was also one of my first 10 or so blog posts- I can see my rambling is still just as bad so I'll try to cut down this time around. 

This year Mark came home for Turkey day to meet the family, as well as spend time with his extended family who also happen to live in Dayton. Seeing as he is a runner as well, he joined Eric and I for the torture fun!

Super excited about the cold weather. 

Not exactly matchy matchy- but both in skirts and minamalist black shoes-- that counts for something. 

Although the race has over 7,000 participants for the 5 miles, and a few thousand for the 1 mile walk, it really is a no frills race. Due to the size of participants for both distances, parking can be hard to come by, so unfortunately we had to get up super early and leave the house at 630 for the 8am start.

Parking ended up being a breeze so we had time to kill and took shelter / warmth in the Baum Opera House until 15 min prior

Me, Mark, Eric

Only other time I've raced the 5 mile distance was the 2010 for this race, so literally my only goal was to just break that time and go sub 40 which I knew would be possible. I know I'm capable of running consistently (once upon a time) in the 7:50s for half marathon, so I was hoping 7:40s wouldn't be too big of a stretch.

I lined up in the first (of 3 corrals) which was open to "Elite runners expecting to finish under 40" haha. The guy that was guarding the entrance questioned if I could run that fast wearing my skirt (he was kidding of course)

It must be really if I don't take my jacket off!

When the gun went off people were FLYING like crazy past me. I was too busy just trying to keep a steady pace and run 'appropriately' that it wasn't till 1/2 mile in I realized I was running 7 min pace. I know myself and know that I cannot keep that up so I backed off a bit and clocked in my first mile right at 7:21 (same time as last year)

Because this course is extremely flat with MAYBE a 10 ft elevation, it was hard to have an advantage on hills by opening my stride, so I was consistently getting slower. Around the 2 mile mark my left calf and achilles tendon were getting tight from trying to modify foot strike in different shoe. I decided to just run normal and although it felt weird feeling my feet hit the pavement hard, it at least made the tightness more bearable. 7:46

Right at mile 3 we were passing everyone in corral 2 (started 5 min after us) on the back portion of the out and back- I kept scanning for Eric, but no such luck (darn)
I finally got hot enough to take off my jacket, normally I get rid of extra layers by mile 1, but today my fingers were frozen and I could see my breath so the additional 2 miles was necessary. Just like magic I picked up my pace with the "extra layer removed" 7:56 (yes i realize its slowest mile, thats how bad my leg was hurting)

Not a lot of exciting or memorable things happened at mile 4- 7:52

Last miles is all guts and unfortunately I was running next to a lady named Carol who everyone and their mom knew. As we were passing corral 3, 6 different people had shouted some form of "way to go Carol" - we kept doing indian runs with one another so finally I had a new goal "beat Carol". I remember last time I ran this race the finish line was deceiving and I kicked way too early- this go round I was going to wait till I actually saw finish line in distance. I never really had a "full kick", more of just picked up the pace the entire mile so I could shave some time off.- 7:35- 38:31 total time

Finish line was anti-climatic- walked to get some water, banana, and a cookie and went to find Mark (he finished in 35:22). We cheered on my brother who also beat his previous time by 2 min (41:xx) and then we went home. Yay!

Race itself is a boring, flat, nothing to look at out and back, however its a fast course and makes you feel good to get in a run on Turkey Day. They did improve from 2010 by having the timing chips on back of bib vs. have to tie them on your shoes and wait in line at end to get them clipped off (I hate that).

Eric, myself, and Mark all surprised ourselves by our times and I'll definitely do it next year. (will break 38 at that time, so it is written, it must be done!)

As a side note, as FREEZING as it was in the morning, it warmed up to 66 degrees during midday--- crazy sauce!!

4 mile turkey trot, shopping, sunglasses

I've been a huge slacker while running over the holidays. I've been home since sunday and ran monday, wednesday, and today. Something about running in subdivisions is so mind - numbingly (yes I just made that up) boring. Each day I've had to be super creative with adding in extra loops here and there to make up for mileage.

 Ashley is hosting a 4 mile turkey trot to be completed by tomorrow HERE for a chance to win fun prizes and of course remind us not to be lazy while on vacation :)  Both my parents were running errands, so mirror pic will have to do for my race bib- should have written in backwards :)

I decided I would go longer than 4, but man do you  know how much thought goes into how to get in 6 miles without having to double back over the same roads?!?! Quite a lot.
4 mile time was 31:37, 6 mile total time was 47:11. Lately I've been getting more and more tired during my runs, so I'm HOPING that once I get back to Tennessee and have better scenery, the tiredness won't set in as quick.

Afterward I went shopping with my mom for a few hours around our outdoor mall. Every year I've gotten a pic in front of the giant Christmas tree. This year, the exciting part was that Ohio is having fluke warm weather- yay for no jacket!

Yesterday was my first black friday shopping experience. No I wasn't one of the crazies going out super early for anything in particular, we managed to get to the mall around 7:30 am and the crowds were doable. Although I didn't get anyone crossed off my list, my mom got me the Magic Bullet and a George Foreman Grill- 2 tools I've been wanting to help make it even easier to prepare healthy meals for one :)  (now just have to wait 1 month to unwrap, 'be surprised', and able to test out.

Did anyone score any great black friday deals?!?!

I'm hoping to get some people crossed off on cyber monday!

Since I really didn't ask for too much for Christmas, I've been brain storming on gifts and I realized that its time to test out some sun glasses I can wear while running. I have no preference other than I want them to stay put, light weight, and not be too large (i overheat when run so normal glasses cause my eyes to sweat.... no joke). So I thought I would put the question out there to all you:

Any recommendations or stay away froms when searching for running sun glasses?!?!?

I feel like this MAY be something I need to try on first, but any input will at least point me in the right direction. 

I hope everyone is enjoying whats left of the holiday! 

Turkey Trot Recap

Going into this race I had to mentally prepare myself for less than ideal conditions. Back in Nashville it was 75 degrees (around what i'm used to) and in Ohio it was supposed to be 30s / 40s and pouring rain - makes you want to get up early and run 5 miles doesn't it?
Woke up at 6am, put on all my layers only to come to find out its 46 degrees and rising-hallelujah! Switch up game plan and opt for spandex capris with pants over to take off right before race and on top went with tank and running long sleeve spandex w/ a windbreaker to block the rain. Brother Eric came over at 7am so we could hit the road. He was kind enough to lend me one of his Adidas hats to help block the rain from my face. Somewhere between the time we left our house and the 25 minute drive to downtown Miamisburg the rain went from a 'downpour' to a 'drizzle', which obviously will make the run a little easier. Dad drops me, Eric, and mom off so we can walk to start line and warm up while he looks for parking; very sweet.
We have about 20 minutes to kill so there isn't much to do but stand around, stretch, and warm up- so thats what we did.

Despite being almost 8am bc its stormy out it looks super dark

Eric, me, and mom prior to the race

I feel like every time I come home I always run into someone I know. It was crazy to look around at all the runners and see people who I used to compete against back in highschool. We also ran into a family friend, Denny, who is big into running.

Eric, Denny, me- thought it was neat Eric and I had consecutive bib numbers- we must have registered simultaneously!

Since Denny is an avid distance runner I ask him what he's striving for and he tells me 40 min- sounds good to me. In all honesty, I just want to beat my brother, or should I say defend my win against last time we raced- 5k over labor day.

Feeling good and ready to rock it

Finally they call the runners over the megaphone to report to line up. Take my spot near the start line, few people behind Denny, and several people ahead of Eric. This is the first time I had someone sing the star spangled banner before the race while everyone looked up and ahead at a flag hoisted up by a crane. Finally the gun fires and everyone is off. Holy crap these people are fast! I'm getting passed left and right even though I feel that I'm going at a descent pace.
Within 400 meters I catch up to Denny and pace with him since we have a similar goal in mind. 1st mile was 7:20- I know as soon as I see the clock its too fast but lets just see how long I can last. Denny left me around 1.5 miles so I thought I was slowing down dramatically, however when I hit the 2 mile the clock was at 15:06, so a 7:46 2nd mile. Once we reach the turnaround I felt like a hit a brick wall and yet I'm only halfway done. I couldn't help but beat myself up on why I always insist on going out too fast only to significantly slow down my pace and be in pain. On the positive note as I was making my way back I kept my eyes focused on the runners on the opposite side of the road who had yet to reach the turnaround to see where Eric's position was. When I saw him I figured I was about 2 minutes ahead of him- perfect :)
Although my muscles felt great, it was just so hard for me to breathe. Once mile 3 hit- 23:40 I decided to walk for 30 sec so I could catch my breath. I ended up having to do this 2 more times before I even hit mile 4. In the distance I saw what I thought was the clock for the 4th mile marker, so I sped up a little bit, but soon realized that it was a gas station and the red numbers were the prices for the gas- darn. (apparently Eric thought the same thing when he reached this point so I didn't feel as dumb) Finally reach mile 4- 32 and change- if i can pick it up a bit I can hit somewhere in the 40 range. I always tell myself that no matter the race, walking in the last mile is NOT an option so that makes it that much harder.
At this point I'm drenched and I'm not sure if majority of it is rain or sweat. My hair is dripping wet from being hot with wearing a hat (first time ever in a race) and I want nothing more than to take off my top shirt to cool down, but that would take way too much energy- something I was lacking right now. I was getting frustrated because I couldn't remember what the start/finish line looked like, so I had no idea when I was getting close. I saw flashing police lights in the distance- looked to be about 400M so I started to pick it up a little. As I get closer I realize that is not the finish line, however I can finally see it in the distance- too far to pick it up quite yet.
Ugh I want nothing more than to be done and be dry. As I near the line I finally pick it up so I can just be finished. I wouldn't say I had a kick by any means, but it was enough to ensure I did infact get in the 40s- 40:36 official time.

 Once I crossed the finish line had to stand in a line to get my chip removed and returned- generally after a run the first thing I want is a drink before doing anything else- tough luck on this race. After I got my chip removed I had to walk a ways away only to stand in a huge line for 4 minutes just to get a bottle of water and a banana- really?!?! Its cold, I'm wet, and I'm thirsty. Being the good sister that I am I decide to pick up another water and banana for Eric so he doesn't have to suffer like I did.

Soaked and tired after the race.

Us with dad 

Us with mom 

If you were to ask me how I did in this race I would say I felt terrible. Placing wise though, not bad got 9th in my division out of 284, 730th overall out of 4648- plus I also beat Eric as he ran a 43:20. This may sound crazy, but I would much rather run a half marathon than another 5 mile race. I've been training for about 9 min. pace, so when I go faster than that, aka a 7:20 first mile, my pace and breathing are all off and my body punishes me. Looks like it may be awhile before I venture to run another 5 miler race.