Race Recap

Yesterday I participated in the Run for Sandy Hook Distance Run event. This was my first 5k of 2013!

BEFORE:
This race was sponsored by Fleet Feet Huntsville and I found out about it through an email. I have purchased shoes and socks from Fleet Feet and love getting their newsletters. The event took place in Huntsville, about an hour/hour and a half from my house. We got up early in order to make the 8AM start time, leaving the house around 6. We travel to Huntsville quite a bit, but I was not familiar with the location of the race. The race info had the name of the Park where the race would take place, but no address. Eek! And we got lost. LOL The GPS took us downtown (and I immediately knew this was wrong!) After a bit of a freak out, we found the location just in time!! We arrive at 7:40 and I had to pick up my packet AND FIND A POTTY! Haha

Tommy snapped a picture of me standing in line for the Port a Potty.

I will also say that as an Alabama girl that generally runs on a treadmill, I was not prepared for the COLD of the morning. We were at 29 degrees and I was in capri running pants, an under armour dry wick, t-shirt, and cotton jacket...Brr. 

DURING:

I literally made it to the starting line within seconds of the start. And we were Off. The race took place at a beautiful Nature Preserve. There were around 250 participants in the race, but the paved trail was a bit narrow, so the start was a bit congested. I was already in the back, and just let the runners take off before I started my run. My plan was to do intervals of 3 run, 2 walk, 5 run, 2 walk...but, trying to keep an eye on my watch under the layers just wasn't working for me, so I ran with my music...running two songs, walking one. And I remembered to keep a faster pace walk. Everything was going Great. We were told there would be mile markers, but there were not and that freaked me out a bit when I had been going for over 15 minutes and had never seen a mile marker. During this first part of the run the snow started. It was Awesome!! Big Huge flakes. And at one part it was almost hard to see. I was cold, but in heaven at the same time. I was having a blast. I had been pacing with a girl and we would exchange "way to gos" as we took turns passing each other. Then I saw the water station. It was at our turn around, and I was relieved that I was already half way finished even though I was still looking for that first mile marker(lol). The water station was a bit off the trail, but I decided to take advantage of it. They only had Gatorade. Honestly, I didn't think much of it and drank my little cup and took an energy bean. Then I was back on the tail. About 4 minutes back into the run, it hit me. I FELT SICK. I had just caught back up to my pacing friend (she had skipped the station), and she looked at me and asked if I was okay. I said yes, and tried to keep running with her. Then it hit me again. I wasn't sure if I was going to puke or have an accident. I think it was the rush of sugar to my system and that the Gatorade wasn't  water (for the past month I have only drank water and herbal teas) but it was awful. She looked at me again and asked again if I was okay. I told her what I thought the problem was, and she told me to just slow down. And so I did. Walking, but trying to keep a faster pace. When I felt a bit better I started running again, but only managed about two minutes. And then rest of the race was a bit of a challenge for me with short running intervals and longer walking. I was very excited when I saw the finish line.

My pace friend finished about 3 minutes ahead of me...and waited for me around the finish line. (Wish I would have got Tommy to snap a pic of us.)

AFTER:
I walked around a bit after running through the finish line. And met up with Tommy. I hit the port a potty again and then went back for some water. They had a great spread of after race treats (Fresh baked breads, cookies, fruit, pasta, and cake.) I opted for half a plain bagel which seemed to settle my stomach a bit. Then the snow started again! So Tommy and I decided to hit the road. (They were not doing awards.)  We stopped at a target and I changed out of my running clothes and threw a few pics onto Facebook. Then we shopped around town the rest of the day.

MY OVERALL FEELINGS:
Overall, I really enjoyed the race even with the stomach problems. This was a fun run to raise money for the Families of Victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown CT. and over $10,000 was raised. And that is AWESOME.
I was somewhat pleased with my time. My only goal was to finish in under 45minutes. And I did that!! And I'm very excited to know that I can hopefully shave off some time at my next race.  And running in snow was FUN!!

WHAT I LEARNED:
I cannot tolerate sweet things while running. And if water is not available, and I can do without, then skip the water station.
I also want to take one of my weekly runs outside. This will have me better prepared for running 5ks.

Thanks to everyone here and in my awesome FB Spark group for the support, encouragements, and well wishes.

Shannon made this awesome poster and shared it with me on FB. And Donna "ran with me." and blogged about it. Susan cheered me on via video (can't get that to load), and even though Mandy was working, she ran the stairs during her break in support. Lucky girl to have all these great friends!