Well, it's Monday...and that's all I can say about that.I'm linking up with Tara @ Running 'N' Reading for the Weekend Update.
On Friday night, a friend asked if I was running the 5k in a neighboring town the next morning. I had thought about it during the week, but wasn't planning on it. I'm trying to be smarter about my running this year and not run so many races {yeah, right!}. OK - I agreed. I needed to work on my speed anyway.
It was about 40 degrees, which is perfect running weather in my book. I've run this course before and I am amazed the city allows us to run through the cemetery. That seems somewhat odd, but I love it! You enter the cemetery on a wide winding uphill path which turns into a wonderful downhill trek as you exit. I averaged an 8:29 pace which is a little slower than I prefer (last year I ran 8:20). My last mile was 8:09 and where I'd like to be for the entire race. I was 4th out of 25 in my age group. (I would have placed first had I been in either of the 2 younger groups right below mine, but I just have to let that stuff go...else it will drive me nuts! That's just part of it.) Hats off to the very competitive and very fast ladies in my bracket! You rock.
Anyway, it was a very nice race. Several of us hit the local Starbucks afterward...always a favorite. Good friends, good coffee and good conversation...that's the best part.
Sunday, I did a "short" long run of 8 miles as I'm gearing up (or down?) to run a half this coming weekend. It's one of my favorites - Callaway Gardens - but it is very hilly. I'll have to pace properly and be quite conservative in the beginning in order to manage the bigger hills, which start about mile 6. My fingers are crossed that I can beat my time from last year.
Did anyone else race this weekend?
Have you ever raced through a cemetery?
So fun! Nice job with your time. Amazing that your age bracket is so competitive. Ladies rock!! Racing through a cemetery huh? Interesting. I actually use a cemetery near me for hill workouts but I have never raced through one!!
ReplyDeleteIt's very weird going through the cemetery. When I left the 40s, I thought it would get easier. Heck NO! Those ladies are incredibly fast.
DeleteI think it would be really cool to race through a cemetery. Way to pull out a really fast last mile. Sounds like a nice race overall!
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice fun race. I just wish I could run that speed the whole time...we are never satisfied as runners. :)
DeleteI feel as if we were disturbing the peace, slightly with our huffing and puffing and pounding up that hill. But, you know it was very pretty there.
ReplyDelete5ks are great for speedwork! I have never run through a cemetery, I think it would be kind of neat and maybe kind of scary.. :)? Great job on the 5k! I think 40 is about perfect running weather too, especially for a race!
ReplyDeleteThat's usually what I do the 5ks for...speed work. Although, they seem to be slowing down. LOL.
DeleteI can say I've never run through a cemetery! Looks like you had fun though. Good luck this weekend
ReplyDeleteI'm just amazed the city allows it. It's definitely different! Thanks.
DeleteYes and yes. Wow that is a fast group.
ReplyDeleteYes it is. A definite incentive to work on my speed some!
DeleteWay to pick it up in the last mile! Congrats! You must have a ton of races in your area!
ReplyDeleteWe just had a 5K race in the park where I always run. I didn't run it since I still felt a little sick, but I really wanted to! Races are hard to resist!
We do have a lot of races this time of year. Summer is our off season. It's just too hot and humid.
DeleteCongratulations on your race! A great training run to get you ready for next wkend! -L
ReplyDeleteI hope it helps me this weekend. This upcoming half is definitely a challenge.
DeleteThose impromptu races are the best, right?!? You did great! I love your skirt, too, by the way. At least you don't have to worry about too much traffic in the cemetery, right? HA! That is hilarious; pretty interesting course, for sure! Thanks so much for linking up with the blog this week; hope you are getting race ready, lady!! Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteYeah, no traffic control necessary in the cemetery! Funny.
ReplyDeleteAlready back at the starting line? Wow! Good for you. My first half is in March.
ReplyDeleteYeah. It's very hard to pass up these nice winter races. It will get hot and humid soon enough. And, I'm actually feeling better than I did at year end. So, why not... You'll do awesome!
DeleteGreat job on your race! You are such an amazing runner, you always do awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't say I have ever raced through a cemetery before. But as I read that and thought about it, I think running through some of those creepy cool ones in New Orleans would be a fun race!
Years ago, well in college I had a cemetery literally outside my bedroom window, not as weird as it sounds. But I would run through there during the day. I figured as long as I was being respectful to keep away from services, and not blaring any music, I couldn't see a problem with it:)
Oh, thanks! I do think it would be fun to do that in New Orleans! They are usually very quiet and pretty places anyway...with no traffic. Perfect for a run.
DeleteWay to go with your race! That's an amazing finish. I have never run THROUGH a cemetery but my route in college ran right by one...I considered cutting through it a few times but never worked up the nerve! haha!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It is a little unnerving this first time!
DeleteOh fun! We have a race out here that is through a cemetery that I have never done! Was yours very crowded or pretty good? I wonder, with the short paths.
ReplyDeleteIt's great you know the course for the half this weekend so you can be more conservative in the beginning. Go get it! :)
Since we didn't get to the cemetery until mile 2, the crowd had thinned out somewhat. I did have to run "through" tween girls running 3 abreast. Why do they that?
DeleteI ran this weekend... it was 28 :) So 40 sounds awesome.
ReplyDeleteIf you add wind to 28, it becomes downright brutal. 40 is just about ideal.
DeleteIsn't it great when 8 miles is a 'short run'... that's a sign your a bad-a** :)
ReplyDeleteHa! I'd like to be at this next half...we'll see.
DeleteGreat finish line photo but running through a cemetery sounds totally creepy. Your pace was really good and yes, I used to notice that in some local races the younger age groups were less competitive. Kinda stinks for the older runners!
ReplyDeleteI think the older we get there are fewer runners, but the ones that continue to run are very competitive.
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