Last Friday, I ran the Riverview Park 5K with two friends, Mandy and Jen. It was SO NICE to have someone else there, running. Thanks so much to Dave for going to my first 2 with me so I wasn't all alone, I'm not sure if he understands how much it has meant to me that he was there for me.
I have never been to Riverview Park, and all I heard was that it ended in a hill. No idea how big the hill was, but I did want to run the whole thing.
One thing kind of non-race- they had a local kid (14ish I think) sing the Star Spangled Banner and he had an amazing voice.
The course started at the park entrance, and went out and back on part of one street (which they closed off for the start of the race). It was pretty crowded, I was surprised. Then it looped up a hill to the observatory, and came back down the same way (so uphill then downhill). Mandy, Jen, and I kept pace with each other. I really like running with them, because they were both talking and it helps distract me. I'm one of those people who can't talk and run, though, so I just listened and maybe grunted every once in awhile to acknowledge that I was listening. Haha.
There were water stops at the mile markes (so at the 1 mile point and the 2 mile point) and I didn't get water at either one, although both Mandy and Jen did so we slowed down both times. Oh, and I forgot to mention that it was fairly warm, but thank goodness it wasn't as humid or hot as it had been earlier in the week.
After the 2nd mile mark, it was entirely uphill the rest of the way. And not only that, but it curved around and stuff so you couldn't tell when the end was going to be. I had no idea how our pace was because the application (Runkeeper) on my phone pooped out on me and didn't even record anything. I've gotten to depend on hearing at 5 minute intervals how far I've gone and what my average pace is.
So mentally I checked out, between not knowing how far from the end we were, and continuing to turn corners and see the hill continue to go up, up, up. I'm not sure how far, but I'd guess at about 2.5 miles I just had to walk for a few seconds. Mandy and Jen went on ahead, still running, and that first walk I was still pretty much right behind them. But then we rounded another corner and I have to admit I walked a 2nd time. I was very disappointed in myself for doing that. BUT I'm not used to running hills at all, have been practicing on flat places for the most part, or the treadmill with the incline set at 2 (not a hill). The 2nd walk wasn't very far, either, but still...
Mandy and Jen ended up finishing in 32:51 and 32:52 and I finished behind them at 33:07. This was the hardest course I've done, though, so I shouldn't kick myself over the time. AND although I walked twice, I only lost about 15 seconds for that.
I will say, though, that this pushed me in training this week. I have a 1.5 mile loop in my neighborhood that I like to run, but I always walk the steepest hill and run the rest. For the first time this week, I ran that entire loop and added onto it just a bit to make it 1.8 miles (and will be adding on more). And on Wednesday, I ran 4.4 miles around Oakmont (yes it's flat) which is the furthest I've run yet, and I did it by myself. (I did walk part of the last mile, it was really hot, I was thirsty, my throat was dry, etc. But even there I didn't walk a LOT, just where I had to cross streets and go up stairs).
I signed up for a 5K on the north shore on Sunday, and my goal there is to try to come in under 30 minutes. I'm not sure I've set a doable goal for myself but I'm going to try anyways. I also want to actually run the entire thing. I know I can do it. No walking this time!!!
And I'm planning on signing up for a 5K on Saturday, June 25th. It's in memory of a woman who was killed by a driver under the influence while she was running (with a jogging stroller, her kids ended up being ok).
Yes, I know I look like a dork. Sometimes I hate pictures. But this is my first racing bib!
Jen and Mandy before the race.
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