Race Tips after Race Two

Monday, May 09, 2011

Thanks, SparkFriends, for celebrating with me. You really added to my sense of accomplishment and joy. You are the greatest!

I don't have near as many race tips to blog about this time as I did after my first race, but I do have a four tips today:

My first tip is to just keep living and staying in shape. In many age groups there were hundreds of competitors. It was a big race with almost 1300 entries and 1096 finishers. But in my group, women 60-64, there were only 14 competitors. I noticed there were no entries in the 80 years and older group. If I just keep keeping on, could there be a first place in my future? Well, it could be our generation will produce more fit competitors than our parent's generation. Time will tell!

My second tip is don't underestimate your ability when choosing a line up position. I started with the 10 minute a mile group, but everyone must have overestimated their ability. I was way back in the pack and they were slow - slow - slow. The first place winner in my group finished 1 minute 2 seconds ahead of me, but her chip time was only 7 seconds ahead of me. The second place finisher did finish before me, but her chip time was 30 seconds more than mine. I did not realize they were awarding by "gun time" rather than the chip. I should start much farther up in the pack and will next time!!

My third tip is to train for the race conditions. My quads are still sore today when they weren't sore at all after my first race, nor after my usual training runs. I knew there were going to be some hills and I trained a little on the little hill on my street. There were three bigger hills in the race. If I had it to do over, I'd find a couple bigger hills to practice on. I know I really lost time on the last hill.

My last tip for today is don't skip the award ceremony. That's twice I got an award and did not attend. The first time I really didn't think I could have won anything, I was by myself and decided to go to Weight Watchers to tell a supportive group about finishing my race. This time I was not alone. I was glad my hubby was there at the half mile mark and the three mile mark to cheer me on. But he didn't want to wait for the award ceremony. The next time I'll be at the award ceremony following the race, to celebrate whoever wins!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BLUESKY_321 5/11/2011 4:52PM

Marsha... just catching up now! Congratulations! I don't have much free time this month. I feel like I'm always rushing somewhere to do something for someone but I wanted to take a minute to say WOOO HOOOOO !!!!!! before I head out for my run! I've got a 5K next week and will be thrilled to come in under 30 minutes ... not planning on it, but it would be thrilling! Report Inappropriate Comment

MONTY68 5/9/2011 11:45PM

Hi Marsha Great tips. I don't understand the use of gun time. It really is not a fair way of timing a race. But you did well. It is important to attend the awards ceremony. I only did one 5 K when I was 69 and finished last. It didn't matter to me , I just wanted to walk a 5K. I felt everyone else was heading home so I went home, I know there isn't a award for last. I found out later that I was ist in my age category because I was the only person in that bracket. So I was first and last and didn't get my metal. Thank you for your tips as I think there are a lot of people who would be entering their first race and have no clue on what to do.. Monty Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 5/9/2011 10:36PM

Great tips Marsha! I look forward to YOUR next race! Smiles, Joy Report Inappropriate Comment

_LINDA 5/9/2011 9:01PM

That is awesome good advice! You have to train for your race conditions. It would be like doing all your work on the treadmill then getting a shocker when you hit the pavement! What is the purpose of the chips if they don't use their results??? That is totally unfair not to. A person stuck at the back of a large pack would have quite the hill to climb!! I would be getting in the race official's faces about that tidbit. Here is to seeing you in the Award's ceremony in your next race!! Go, Marsha, GO! Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKERB2 5/9/2011 8:09PM

Glad you shared this info with us. I'm doing a walking 5 K in a couple of weeks but don't know what to expect as I've never participated in one. Will take your advice and practice the hill and stay for the awards ceremony. Have a good day. Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 5/9/2011 7:48PM

Very helpful tips . . . especially never quitting our fitness efforts. We will be fit at 80++ -- or at least if we aren't, it won't be for lack of trying!! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 5/9/2011 6:32PM

WTG! I like that - "to celebrate whoever wins!!" Report Inappropriate Comment

SEPPIESUSAN 5/9/2011 5:55PM

Thanks for the tips. I haven't been in any races in two years because the pressure was kind of killing the fun of running for me, but I do remember being frustrated by all the slower runners who started in the group I did - 9 or 10 minute miles. So you might as well overestimate your speed because everyone else seems to! Great tips! Report Inappropriate Comment

Results are In -- Celebrate!!!

Sunday, May 08, 2011

I placed third in my age group with a "gun time" of 31:14. My chip time (net time) was 29:55!!! I achieved my goal to beat 30 minutes!!! I'm sitting here crying tears of joy!!!

Anyway, I not only finished -- I placed!!!! I set a BIG personal best. I beat the heat. I beat the hills. I managed the pack!!!!


PS Please forgive these multiple blogs as the info dribbled in today!! I may be a little nuts, but it is not all bad nuts!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AMANDAJCD 5/9/2011 1:05PM

Multiple blog entries are AWESOME -- especially with news like this! Congrats, Marsha :D Report Inappropriate Comment

HAPPYSOUL91 5/9/2011 10:42AM

WTG Marsha, You are really doing it, congratulations! Report Inappropriate Comment

AQUAGIRL08 5/9/2011 9:07AM

Congratulations Marsha! Report Inappropriate Comment

FITFABME 5/8/2011 11:40PM

So awesome! Great for you!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 5/8/2011 9:03PM

Loved all three blogs, love your pride and pleasure and sense of accomplishment, so richly deserved! Thanks for sharing all of this with all of us who are your Spark Friends and Fans!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 5/8/2011 8:25PM

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JOHAL52 5/8/2011 6:22PM

I read every post waiting until the last to post and say ! Report Inappropriate Comment

SEPPIESUSAN 5/8/2011 6:22PM

Hey, write as many blogs about this race as you want - it was a fantastic accomplishment!! Third place is amazing and you beat 30 minutes!!! Yay! Report Inappropriate Comment

MIRAGE727 5/8/2011 4:22PM

Outstanding achievement. You inspire me to test my turtle class endurance now. As Jimmy Buffet says, "We need more Fruitcakes in this world!" I say we are the ones that take that step closer to the edge! Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHRINKINGSHERI 5/8/2011 3:53PM

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RAYLINSTEPHENS 5/8/2011 2:57PM

WTG! Report Inappropriate Comment

EXENEC 5/8/2011 2:55PM

Congratulations! What an achievement. Report Inappropriate Comment

Not Quite the Way I Remembered It

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Okay, the race clock says 31:13 as I'm about to cross the finish line and 31:15 after I'm well across it, not 31:09 as I remembered.





They haven't posted the chip times yet, but they will be there shortly. I'm still really happy and it is definitely a personal best!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AQUAGIRL08 5/9/2011 9:06AM

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JOYINKY 5/8/2011 8:20PM

You did really great! Congratulations! Report Inappropriate Comment

MEXGAL1 5/8/2011 2:46PM

congrats to you! Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKERB2 5/8/2011 2:33PM

Here's a rose to celebrate your awesome ime. appy Mother's Day. Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 5/8/2011 2:25PM

Still totally awesome!! Report Inappropriate Comment

_LINDA 5/8/2011 2:23PM

That is wonderful! Looking fabulous!! Report Inappropriate Comment

-PAULA 5/8/2011 1:33PM

You did really great! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLJEAN64 5/8/2011 1:30PM

Wow, I am impressed with whatever time turns out to be "official" for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

Mayfaire 5K

Sunday, May 08, 2011

The Mayfaire 5K was my second race. I think I did good. First of all, I finished. That's good. I was far from last. That's good. I got the hydration right (wasn't dehydrated, but didn't need bio-break). That's good. My new MP3 earbuds that curl around my ears worked great. My newly adjusted glasses with new nosepads stayed put, unlike last time when they jiggled up and down on my nose. No blisters. No chaffing. No wardrobe malfunctions. All that is good.

I saw several people I know, including SparkFriend PinkSaint, Beth the Weight Watcher receptionist, and Kathy who I met at my first Lakeland Runner's Club meeting. Good! My hubby cheered me on near the beginning and again near the end. Very good!

Unlike last time, I didn't start out too fast. Actually, the pack was blocking me. I started with the 10 minutes per mile group but they were slow. Nonetheless, I ran my first mile in 10:46, even with the hill and pack, compared to my last race of a flat mile in 11 minutes flat. My second mile was at 20:45. The finish clock was around 31:09 when I ran under it, but my chip time I am sure is considerably faster. I'm guessing my time was 30:41, but it is just a guess. It should be in the newspaper tomorrow and on the Lakeland Runner's Club Website within a few days. So I feel certain I set a personal best, breaking my previous time of 31:19. I feel pretty good about it even though I undoubtedly didn't break 30 minutes like I had hoped.

Hubby drove me and dropped me off to avoid parking problems. He had a good meal while I was getting set up and warmed up. Then he got to see me race, but he was ready to go home when I was done. So I didn't get to find out my official time or who won my age group. Tomorrow I'll find out. That's soon enough.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AQUAGIRL08 5/9/2011 9:04AM

Way to go Marsha! Report Inappropriate Comment

PARKERB2 5/8/2011 2:35PM

Be sure to let us know tomorrow the results. Report Inappropriate Comment

ONEKIDSMOM 5/8/2011 11:59AM

Happy Mother's Day! Report Inappropriate Comment

OAKBORN 5/8/2011 11:42AM

Great job!! If you did 30:41, we ran at the same pace! How nifty! Keep it moving and Happy Mother's Day! Report Inappropriate Comment

HAPPYSOUL91 5/8/2011 10:41AM

Yea Marsha, you are the woman! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 5/8/2011 10:33AM

WTG Marsha!! Happy Mother's and Grandmother's Day!! Report Inappropriate Comment

_LINDA 5/8/2011 10:23AM

Well done on everything working out so great!! That worked out well hubby was on hand to watch you finish..any photos?? You got to love it when ever everything works as it should. Bet you are on pins and needles waiting for the results ;)) Have a special double Mom Mother's day! Hpefully your daughter will be treating you extra nice! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 5/8/2011 8:52AM

Wow Marsha! A great race; WTG! They don't just happen, you really did a wonderful job of planning and preparation. Relax today and enjoy your beautiful family. Happy Mothers Day! Report Inappropriate Comment

Pictures of our Bok Tower Outing

Saturday, May 07, 2011

Yesterday morning at Bok Tower was a great time! I put 5 pix in my gallery and thanks to you who made nice comments. I love it that I was 32 years old when I had my one and only child and she was 25 and 28 when she had hers, but I still get called a young grandmother!!


My daughter took a lot of good pictures, so I'll share a few more. Here's Natalie running next to flowers:

Here's Natalie standing by flowers. The rest of us were under a canopy finishing a healthy lunch. It had been raining a bit, but Natalie didn't mind a touch of drizzle.

Natalie in front of the tower, not exactly posing:

I love the bells and we heard them on the hour and half hour. Here's Natalie playing the carillon:

The largest bell is the size of a girl just a bit taller than Natalie:

Before the rain Natalie enjoyed the grass and the sand:


I took this picture of Gwen, Natalie, and my dear daughter:

Natalie feeding the koi:

Gwen in the grass, before the rain:

Gwen with hat (there were 10 versions of this picture; hope I chose a good one; hard to see in the thumbnail)


Oh, my daughter took so many good ones, it is hard to share them all! So glad we got to go and enjoy.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JOHAL52 5/8/2011 6:20PM

Oh, wonderful photos!! So cute in their pinafore dresses! Report Inappropriate Comment

WATERMELLEN 5/7/2011 8:50PM

Your little granddaughters and their mum are so lovely . . . and your pleasure in them is so endearing!! And of course you are an AMAZINGLY youthful and fit grandma who is able to enjoy them to the max because: you keep fit!! YAY!! (Thanks for endorsing my calorie counting approach: like you, if I don't, I'll be overweight. Simple). Report Inappropriate Comment

GATOR12 5/7/2011 4:25PM

Marsha a wonderful day with loved ones who are beautiful and happy w/life!! Great share!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MONTY68 5/7/2011 1:35PM

Hi Marsha Thank you for sharing . You do have a beautiful family and the pictures are awesome. Monty Report Inappropriate Comment

JOYINKY 5/7/2011 11:48AM

Wonderful pictures! You are truly blessed! So is your family! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAYLINSTEPHENS 5/7/2011 10:49AM

Beautiful pictures, beautiful family, beautiful day and beautiful you! Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUESKY_321 5/7/2011 9:54AM

Looks like a wonderful day! Report Inappropriate Comment