Paddy's Road Race Report

I got a number to this race at the last minute! My lovely Aunt Lisa who has been ill recently could not attend. She has run this race every single year for the past 9 years. This year was their 10 year anniversary!!! I could tell by her voice on the phone how bummed out she was to not be able to go. I felt her pain. So I agreed I would take her number and head out to this race and make her proud!

I had to work all day so this race would cut into that. But luckily it was located 2 miles away from my store! So I literally decided hey why not race on a lunch break ;) When I went to the race website it said to come early because it would be hard to find parking. I obviously could not do that but I looked it up online and saw where it was located and I had the best plan. Just run there :)

So I made my plans and even enlisted my friend Lauren to sign up for this race and come along. She lives near my store so we met and ran down to the race! It started at 11:30 I know late for a race but hey here in New England its chilly now so we can sleep in. I was up at 6 and working though so I got suited up at work and headed down to the race.

I wore my fuel belt down there and kept my phone and a gel in there. I was planning to run a total of 8 miles so I needed a little something to keep me going when the race began. By the way I just noticed this weekend that my belt holds race numbers.... Yes I am slow lol. Love that feature though!! 

SO yes the run down was great! We kept up a steady 10 minutes per mile pace and made it there in 20 minutes. This race was all about the Irish hehe it was nice. Well it was Paddy's Road Race so what else would it be? It took place in Newton, and I was facing some tough competition. I am not used to a small 5K with such serious runners! They had pace signs up to line up! I have never seen that at a 5K for 1500 people. Then again I have not raced in Newton, the running city ;)

I felt good. I had got some water and took my gel pac about 5 minutes before the race was going to begin. I was surrounded by super fit people in the 7 minute per mile pace. I began to feel like I should move. I constantly do this to myself, doubt my ability. I look at other runners around me and assume they are all better and faster than me. I still feel like the fat girl sometimes and lining up for a race is often one of those times. This race was even chip timed! I was impressed hehe.

So the announcement was made and away we went! I started out strong but it hurt. Yup all of a sudden my legs just felt like what are you doing to me? I had to really push them to move. I just kept telling myself it was only 3 miles, it was only 3 miles. I raced around the corners and came up to mile 1 at 6:45. I felt fast. I felt in control. But I also felt defeated. There were so many runners passing me. I felt slow.

I know I know you are saying Colleen you are crazy, you are fast. But I just did not feel fast. It felt like hard work and usually 5Ks are easier for me. I think it was the long run the Sunday before. My legs just were not ready for a race quite yet. I do not know what it was all I know is I was not happy when I finished and saw the clock say 21 minutes. I kept running for another mile to cool down.

 I took this right after the race. I wanted to remember how I felt and often my face does not lie ;) I guess I did not get a PR and it made me mad? I am so hard on myself that I let it get the best of me. My official chip time was 21:04. All top 10 female finishers had a sub 20 minute time. Yes I looked. Yes I was in awe ;)

The race was fun! And I hope I made my Auntie proud. I called her and let her know how she did hehehe since the number was hers she now has a 21 minute 3 miler on the books ;) It was a great atmosphere and I would do it again for sure!

I walked around for a few minutes and then ran back to work for my final 2 miles of the day. Those miles were the best a nice 9.5 minute pace and I felt strong. Maybe the speed workouts jsut need to be lessened for a bit. We shall see!

This race was fun but it also showed me the goals I want to keep pushing for and fueled my fire to keep working toward my own sub 20 5K one day soon.

Do you use races to set new goals?