Kidney Foundation 5K Race Report

**I know there is nothing that can be done to reverse the terrible events of the last week, but I want to dedicate this race in memory of Chelsea King. She may no longer be able to run, but we can keep running for her.**

I did it! I ran the race yesterday. Looking back, maybe I shouldn't have (I've been coughing non-stop ever since) but I'm glad I did. It was a gorgeous day out, a brisk 40 degrees in the morning. I ventured out in my tempo shorts and a long sleeved tech tee. I was perfectly warm....in the sun. 

My sister-in-law AJ ran this 5k with me (if you haven't noticed, I like to use initials rather than names here....my real name is not the same as Spiderman's girlfriend, though that would be cool), it's always more fun to have someone there with you, though I'm sure she was regretting the decision when the forecast showed such cold temps. (Hey, we're in Florida...anything below 60 is freezing!)

The race was for the local Kidney Foundation and had a decent turn out. Even our small-town mayor was there! I would say about 200 participants in all. Not too shabby. There were a lot of vendors (free-stuff-itis kicking in bad!!) and a great assortment of snacks/drinks. I had eaten a banana on the way to the race so I didn't take anything else beforehand....big mistake I would find out later. 

As the race started off I felt pretty good. Not too congested, breathing ok, and managed to run the first 1/2 mile straight through at AJ's pace of near 10 min/mile. My cold finally caught up with me and I told her to go on ahead, I'd see her at the finish. I walked for a bit, caught my breath, then picked up my pace for an 11 min/mile. I was feeling fantastic for running with a cold when suddenly, at about mile 2, my stomach let out a monstrous noise (thank goodness I was more than 20 feet from anyone else) and did a somersault inside of me.  What the ????? I slowed down and walked for a few minutes. Feeling better I picked up the pace again. No more than 20 steps into my running it did it again, and this time there was a distinct instinct to vomit. I stopped again, kind of freaked out about the whole thing. I've never felt like this during a run, maybe after...when I've pushed myself good, but never during. 

From that point on I couldn't run more than 20 steps without the feeling/noise occuring again. My breathing & HR were fine, my legs felt powerful, but my stomach wouldn't quit. So I settled with speed walking, and let my goal of sub-36 minutes slip through my fingers. (Did I mention I was a full minute ahead of my goal at the first 2 splits?? grrrr....) At the last bend I said 'F-it'....my Garmin said I was at 36min and I was determined to finish with a 36:XX....so I let it all out...I may puke, but I'd finish in a respectable time! I bolted up the last hill and around the turn.

Coming in to the finish chute the race clock read 37:00 but I knew it had taken me at least 15-20 seconds to reach the start line earlier. AJ was on the side cheering me on (she finished in 30:XX!!) and I looked over at her, said 'I'm going to throw up!' then ran through the finish. I took a few moments, bent over on the other side of a truck near the finish, and regained my composure. No puking, thank goodness...but it was the closest I've ever come since I started running. 

I had forgotten to stop my Garmin as I crossed the finish (more focused on finding a private spot to visit with my banana from earlier) but after plugging it in the computer and re-tracing the finish I came in at 36:50!!! I may not have reached my goal of sub-36, but I did PR, and for running with a cold + near-vomiting I did pretty darn good. 

I replenished with some gatorade and we enjoyed the award presentation (AJ got 2nd in her age group!). Then I headed home, showered off, and plopped on the couch, slightly dissapointed, slightly nauseated, and slightly relieved the whole thing was over. I'll get my goal next time....matter of fact...I'll probably shoot for a sub-35. And one day I'll catch up with AJ.  In the meantime I'm happy to be a turtle....a green nauseated turtle.

Me after the race, green glow gone:

 

Every time I have done a long run or race I've learned something new, and I realize I should start documenting these lessons for my future use. So here we are...

Things I Learned from this 5K:

• Eat more than a banana pre-race...and eat it early, not right before.
• Probably not a good idea to run when sick, will only make you sicker
• Don't freak out when you're near puking, others have puked ahead of you
• Don't start to think about giving up at 2miles, you're more than halfway done
• Always go for the cooler option, ie: shorts over pants
• Pigtails make for a comfy & cute running hair-do
• Talk to other runners at the end of the race, they're just as excited to finish with 18 minutes as your are with 36, and they're just as proud of you as you are of yourself.