The Portland Turkey Trot at the Zoo

A week or so ago, I got a fantastic box delivered to me from KimPossible. Inside, was the magical Shirt that Races. I know magical might feel like a melodramatic word to some people, but what can I say, that's how I roll and if you read my blog you already know that. There is something special about knowing other people before me and after me are contributing to the same journey. And the thing is, we're all so different! Different paces, different ages, different states, different places in life. But this we have in common. I love it!

I signed up for the Portland Turkey Trot at the Zoo. It was my first time running it - my first time in a Turkey Trot at all! I over scheduled my Thanksgiving a little bit and decided I needed to fly to Boise to see my family - as soon as the race was over. So I woke up at 5:30 with exaggerated race day anxiety - even if it was just a four mile turkey trot!

I had my usual cup of coffee:


Threw on The Shirt and other layers because it was freezing - and realized my camera was d.e.a.d. and that I'd have to rely on my cell for documenting the day.

I got to the zoo before they even opened up race day packet pickup so I waited in my car for a while to avoid freezing. Thank goodness for NPR! Eventually I calmed down, got my bib, and discovered - not only was this not a chipped race - it wasn't even timed due to the no number assignment!


Why is it so hard to just do something for fun? I mean, it's fun - but MORE fun if it's timed! Right? Or can a race at the zoo (one of my favorite places on earth) can just be fun on principle alone? I decided to take that approach. . .



After standing in line at the Starbucks cart and scoring another cup of free coffee, I met up with these other two awesome Portland bloggers out for a morning run. Gazelle and Emily. Two very fun girls - read their blogs and become friends with them!


The course for today's run was a there and kind of back again route. We started near the Forestry Center entrance, and ran downhill to almost the Rose Garden, just to turn around and run back up-hill to the zoo.

The race started a little late, and it wasn't well organized. Walkers were mingled in the start, oblivious to the runners weaving in and out behind them. There were also several people with dogs, even though the registration form forbids them. I got slimed by one large black lab. Eventually though, I got past all the distractions and just got to enjoy the run!

I didn't wear headphones at this race. My first time EVER doing that. And you know what, it was enjoyable! I don't see myself trying to do a marathon anytime soon without music (or with even - ha ha), but I really did like hearing everyone around me.

The downhill portion went great, as did the turn around. And the uphill portion didn't seem as intimidating as I thought it was going to be either. There were a few steep legs, but other than that, gradual incline. My favorite part, even though it did also prove to be the most chaotic part, was running through the zoo.

The course wasn't well marked at all, and volunteers were standing there yelling at runners to stay to the right, while spectators and people who had finished were just milling around and getting in the way. Lots of dodging and almost collision.

But there was one animal out while I ran. (crappy phone while running picture)
.

There was also a clock at the finish line. It gave me a 40 minute 4 second finish time. Not sure when they considered me starting, but that's OK. It's not official!

I didn't take time to linger and get my free pumpkin pie - I took off directly from the race to the airport. Where I wore the Shirt that Races to Idaho. Luckily no one had to sit next to me on the plane - and my family are the only people who made fun of me for flying in my running gear. But they should expect that from me by now!


Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

Got Guts?

A lot of people run a race to see who's the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts.

~Steve Prefontaine

San Antonio Marathon Race Report 11.16.08

Where to begin...where to begin..

We had a great time in San Antonio. The River Walk and downtown area is great. A lot of hustle and bustle. We visited two missions, ate Mexican food, drank margaritas, saw the Alamo, had a Whataburger and much more.

A Couple Pictures of the River Walk

At Mission San Jose

Race Day

First off...A Shirt that Races pics. I don't have any pictures of the course itself as we have a mongo camera and didn't take it.

This is me before the race

And this is the back of A Shirt That Races so far

We headed down to the AT&T stadium to catch a bus to take us to the start line. Traffic was a mess. We left in plenty of time to get there and catch a bus but made it to the starting area about 15 minutes before the first wave was released. Doug mentioned that with this being a RNR inaugural event for SA, that was typical. This is something I'm sure they will have corrected next year.

Once we got to the starting area, we made our way to my corral. Corral 25. Yep. 25 out of 32. They released 1 corral every 2ish minutes. It took us over 45 minutes to cross the starting line. Not the most fun, but that's kinda how it goes.

Doug started back with me as he wasn't sure how his ankle was going to hold up. He ended up doing well. Me, on the other hand, I think he gave me his ankle issue.

As the race started, the sun was just coming up. You could tell it was going to be a great day for a run. And that it was. The weather was great. It was nice and crisp at the start, once the sun came up it was shining. Not a cloud in the sky. There was no wind. As the day worn on, it did warm up a bit but still not too hot. I did however have huge salt stains caked to my face.

The race itself was pretty flat. Not any hills to really speak of except the last push to the finish line where there was one. It was also pretty uneventful. We did pass by the Alamo and by 2 of the missions, but that was about it. It reminded me a lot of RNR Arizona...down a lot of flat streets but not a lot to see.

The traffic control was great. I didn't hear one car horn or angry driver. That was nice. The course roads were closed both ways to traffic so you didn't have car fumes in your face as you're trying to run. That was a plus.

As far as my race. It didn't go that well. I was having a great run up until mile 18 and then it all went to hell in a hand basket. What happened? I don't know. Early on I could fill my ankle. I could also feel an issue with the side of my knee. Not sure what that was all about or where it came from. I haven't had those issues in a long time. But when 18 hit, that's all she wrote. But I plugged along, mile after mile. I had to stop and stretch out my knee, ankle and back. I try normally not to do that as it only delays me getting to the finish line and I just want to keep moving forward. Not this time. I so just wanted to sit down on the side of the road for about 20 minutes but knew Doug was waiting for me and I didn't want him to have to wait any longer than he already was-so I kept going.

All in all, this was a crappy run for me. Not a lot of fun. Not a lot to see. I do have to say the bands at this RNR Series were better than any of the other RNR bands I've seen at the other events.

I do have to say, though, the finish was about the best finish I've had. Other than the times when I've crossed the finish line with Doug (which are plenty). But as I crossed the finish line, tears welling in my eyes from pain and just the sheer pleasure of being finished, there stands Doug. With my medal and a smile. Ready to place it over my head. How wonderful is heeee???

Me...The Shirt That Races...The Medal

Official finish time 5:52:14.

Another great thing about this race is they had plenty to eat and drink for us back of the pack runners. It was nice to get the same food as everyone else that came in ahead of me. A lot of times that is not the case-but they did well.

All in all...it was a good race. Not sure I would come down to do it again, except for the chance to hit the River Walk again-what a great area.

Sarah-You're next. I'll have the shirt sent off mid week!

Next race-this Sunday. Gobbler Grind Half Marathon. Running it with Karen to help her take some time off. Then in 2 weeks it's off to Kiawah Island, SC for another marathon.

Pray for a Speedy Delivery

I'm hoping A Shirt That Races is delivered today. It's expected to arrive tomorrow, but maybe it will be delivered today so I can take it to San Antonio, TX. We leave for Texas tomorrow morning and if it doesn't come today, I'll miss out this weekend.

I do have another race next Sunday as well...the Gobbler Grind Half Marathon in Overland Park, KS. But I'm not certain I can race Sunday, get A Shirt That Races in the mail to have it delivered by Wednesday as Sarah needs it for Thanksgiving.

We'll just play it by ear and see how things play out. If I'm not able to get it today and don't think I can get it to Sarah in time for her to race in it, I'll just forgo this go 'round and try to get it for another race. Because there will be more!

UPDATE:

It's here! It's here! Gotta love the FedEx man.

A Man's "Shirt That Races"

Without further ado.....men, I need your vote on size.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Shoe Running at DSE Embarcadero 10K

I received the Shirt That Races from Jamie late last week. Opening the package and seeing the names of all the other bloggers who had worn the shirt was more powerful to me than I was expecting. It is really cool to think about all the places the shirt has been so far and all the places it will go :) Kudos to Nikemom for coming up with such a great idea!

The race I ran was a 10k. I decided on Saturday that I'd run home from the race, bringing the total distance to 12 miles. That's the longest I've ever run! The Shirt That Races suffered through it all right along with me!

So, here's the scoop of race day:

I set my alarm clock for 6:30, Sunday morning, giving myself an hour and a half to eat breakfast, digest and piddle around getting ready. I've never had trouble with my alarm clock, until Sunday morning. It never went off! I woke up naturally at 7:46 am. Crap! I had 15 minutes to get ready! I scarfed down some fruit, almond milk and puffed millet, threw on my clothes and laced up my Nike's. I was ready to go a bit after 8am. I checked to see when the next bus was scheduled to arrive...not til 8:20...OY! I had given myself an hour to get to the race, planning to be there 20 minutes early if the buses were on time and I made my connection. The only way I'd make it to the race on time was if my connecting bus was there a couple minutes after I got off the first bus. Luckily, that is exactly what happened. I made it to the race with 5 minutes to spare. I paid my $5 (yes, $5!), drank some water and lined up behind the starting line, with Golden Gate Bridge as the backdrop.



I felt good for about the first mile. Then my stomach started cramping - more than it ever has before. Then my legs started to feel like they were made of lactic acid. Ick! I kept trying to pick up the pace, but my body just wasn't having it. Oh well :) I decided to just let my body decide what it needed, and went slow. I was going to have another 5.8 miles after the race was over, so going slow seemed like a good plan anyway. I figured I'd just enjoy the sunny San Francisco morning:



My time was 1:03. Slower than my last 10K. But, I think what's important is getting the experience and getting to know my body. I'm not sure why my stomach was cramping and my legs were angry, but now I know that it is an issue and I'm going to play detective and try to figure out how to keep it from happening again. My suspicion is that I need to hydrate more. I normally have a bunch of water in the morning, but since I was in a rush, I neglected to drink enough.

After the race, I guzzled down about 6 of the tiny little cups of water before continuing my 12 miles. I felt a little better after having rested and the next couple miles were nice and worth some pictures.

Golden Gate Bridge:



Park at Fort Mason:



Ducks at the Palace of Fine Arts:



Pond at Palace of Fine Arts:


It was a bit after I took this photo that I started to feel like I might die :) . The course I picked for running home had 3 gnarly hills, including the infamous Lyon stairs - all 288 of them.

Part One:



Part Two:


I have run up these stairs a million times, and they always hurt, but I was just too exhausted already and my body wasn't happy. I did a lot of resting and just walked up them. For the rest of the run I ran on flat parts and walked up and down hills.

In the end, I made it all the way home! It felt great to have completed a run that was so grueling and made me want to quit. I thought about taking a bus home, or a cab, or hitchhiking. Anything to not have to run anymore. But I did all those 12 miles!

When I got home, I ate a couple pieces of bread, took a shower and laid on the couch with sun pouring in the window onto me. It felt great to finally rest. I moved my resting into my bedroom after awhile. My roommate was really worried about me and kept knocking on my door to make sure I wasn't dead. Ha ha!

So that was that! Now the shirt is about to make its way over to Kim in Texas! Good luck Kim!

Hot Chocolate 15K

This was the inaugural year for Hot Chocolate 15K/5K. I happened upon this race while at the gym one day and saw the advertisement in the free Chicago Sports periodical I was perusing while on the elliptical. A race that gives you a free fleece, bag, running hat, and is sponsored by Hershey's...sign me up! Plus I thought it would be cool to run the only 15K in Chicago and I needed something to get me motivated/back in shape post wedding.

here I am all squinty mcgee at the start/finish before the race

The race took place on the north side of the city near the lake/around the lakefront paths. It was cold and I was glad I put the long sleeve shirt under A Shirt that Races but regretted shortly into my run. The starting coral was a free for all with the 15k starting 10 minutes prior to the 5k race. Even though there were multiple announcements telling the 5K runners to hold off on lining up several ignored the message and lined up anyways. There is a pic of me in the starting coral but seriously it is too scary to post! I had a goal of 9:00 min/miles as I had not put in the training I would have liked and am carrying around some extra weight post wedding. Since it was my first 15k ever it would be a PR no matter what!

Not quite centered...only 3/4 mile into the race

Miles 0-4 - I was questioning my desire to complete the race and even why I had even signed up in the first place. I started to get really warm in the long sleeve shirt with the sun baring down and my legs feeling like sand bags. The path was tricky, it was narrow, parts on a asphalt path, then gravel, then a sand hill. No consistency and a lot of josteling for position. It felt like every single person running the 15k had passed me and I was just standing still. That probably deflated me the most. I had to keep reminding myself this is supposed to be fun - no pressure - who cares; really it was me not wanting to write DNF on the back of the shirt that kept me going :)

Miles 4-5 - Now over halfway done I finally felt like myself. The sandbag legs had left. I was consistently hitting and even beating my goal pace. I started to pass a few runners. The race wasn't such a mistake after all.

Miles 6-8 - Seriously I kicked some butt here. I posted my best paces during these miles even though mile 7 was nearly all on a very uneven gravel/rock path right next to the lake. I felt really strong.

Miles 8-9.3 - Almost done. I hit a mini wall where I was just done once I saw the out and back for the last 1.3 miles. Sometimes it's just best for me that I don't know what's left/can't see too much of the course. I pushed through and then tried to pass as many as I could in the last 3/4 of a mile.

Apparently I'm just so fast the hubby could only get the back of the shirt! That clock in the corner is for the 5k runners - I wish I had that time!

There were no finisher medals passed out (boo!) but I think it's because they gave so much swag away in the goodie bag. Found my husband (aka race supporter) then it was off to find the chocolate that was promised. There was a ridiculous line for the food tent and it was even worse when we left. The hot chocolate I have to say was a disappointment. Tasted a bit smoky?!? Weird I know. And with all the Halloween candy I have left over and ridiculous line for that I didn't grab much but there was a good spread. I focused on the graham crackers, bananas, marshmallows and chocolate fountain. Yummy!

The stats:

Time: 1:21:42 (8:46 min/mi!)

661/1515 runners

82/256 in my division

Good Luck!

To Jamie who is wearing the Shirt That Races. Rock on!