However, the next day I got an email for volunteers wanted at the Honey Stingers booth for the Runner's World Festival. It was on my day off so I thought why not? I responded with a yes, but quickly got an email back that said they did not need my help anymore. I looked up the events and saw they were putting on a 5k and 10k that Saturday morning. The 10k was later in the morning so I decided to sign up for that.
I picked up my bib at the expo and watched the 5k runners while waiting for the 10k to start next.
There were no formal corral placements but there were pace signs above. I lined up just past the 7 min mile group. Now I haven't ran at all since the marathon and my legs were still pretty tight, so lining up where I did was pretty ambitious of me, but we will see how it goes. I know they say never try anything new on race day, but I just got a pair of new shoes so I wanted to test them out. Is it just me or when you first put on new shoes and go for that first run you feel faster? I was hoping this would be the case.
I was feeling surprisingly good at the start and keeping a decent pace. These shoes are working out but holy hills! I never look at the course map for races and I was quite surprised how many inclines and hills there were. Well what goes up must come down and here is where I felt like I picked up some speed on the downhills. Just when I thought it was going to flatten out, I came to another hill. This course was an out and back so I knew that there were many more downhills as well as uphills coming on the way back.
There was this older lady shorty ahead of me that I was trying to catch up to but my legs weren't having it. I was approaching the last mile when someone passed me. Luckily it was a guy so no worries there. Actually, no other female passed me the last 4 miles but I knew there were a handful that were way ahead of me.
We were nearing the last stretch of the course where this guy came upon me. We would surge ahead of one another for awhile until I gave it an extra kick the last 100 yards and passed him.
After we finished he did approach me and congratulated me saying he didn't have that extra push at the end.
After I finished I received my complimentary massage and asked someone to look up my results on the app. He said I came in 4th in my age group....oh darn!
I began walking back to my car when I got a text that said please check results you may have placed. I thought well maybe they send it to the top few. I was debating whether or not to just leave or walk back and see.
I decided to walk back. I told the booth that I received a text but didn't think I had placed based on the app. She replied, yes you did, you placed 3rd...woohoo! Well it's a good thing I decided to go back and see since they said they were not mailing awards. I received a nice pint glass with the Runner's World Festival logo on it with my age group award on the other side.
I was happy that I was able to be a part of this race series this year after hearing great things about it for awhile.
You are having quite a year! Congrats on that AG placement! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy!
DeleteCongrats on the AG! What a nice finish to the day ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim!
DeleteI ran the 5k several years ago as I have a friend that lives nearby. I mean to go back. It is a fun but hilly race.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your award.
See you soon.
Yes. Much more hillier than expected!
DeleteThat's a great time for one week post marathon!! Congrats on the award, too!
ReplyDeleteHope to see you in NYC! Have a great run and HAVE FUN!
Actually 6 days:) haha. Hope to see you in NYC as well.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the AG award. That's amazing, especially so soon after your marathon! It looks like you were in Bethlehem? I used to run the RW Half when it was in Allentown. They really know how to put on a good race!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! And I love that you and that other guy spurred each other on toward the end!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job on the AG award!
ReplyDeleteI participated in the Runner's World Festival a few years ago (I did the 5K, 10K and half) and it was so much fun. I think I'd like to go back and do it again one day.
Sweet, well done! What a great result for a last minute sign up.
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! Way to go Lacey!! pretty good for not having run after the marathon!! (damn good actually!!)
ReplyDelete