Holy humidity. I don’t think I’ve ever sweat so much in my life as I did during yesterday’s 5k.
Of course, yesterday morning started like every other race day, questioning why the heck I was waking up while it was still dark out to run. I’m pretty sure blog accountability is the only reason I actually pulled myself from bed.
This was the race start. Not a bad view, huh?
It’s hardly fair to even call it a race. It was a small, casual run/walk that was limited to the attendees of the conference, but we did have bibs and chips so I’m counting it!
Luckily, the whole not pre-registering thing wasn’t a big deal at all and they had plenty of extra chips and bibs so I got one without having to beg a walker to give me theirs.
The conference was primarily geared towards CFOs and the race shirts they gave out had bubble clouds on them you could write on. Most people had some dorky funny financial type sayings on them like “run for the bottom line” and “eat my deficits.” I had fun reading them, who knew CFOs had such a sense of humor? j/k
Once we started, I knew there was not going to be any PRs going on. It was hot. Like the hottest and most humid weather you can imagine with absolutely no breeze at all. Stifling. I started out pretty fast around a 7:45 pace but knew full well it was not sustainable. Negative splits weren’t going to be an option, I just ran as hard and fast as I could for the whole race. Honestly, I wanted to stop and walk around mile 2 but knowing I was the 2nd female and had a chance at placing I refused to let myself. It was an out and back course and once we turned the cone to head back, I knew the next closest female wasn’t close enough to worry about so I just tried to not let my pace fall too much. Around mile 2, a guy passed me and stayed in front of me by about 15 paces until mile 3. He was too close to not pick off at the end so I sprinted the last .1 hard to pass him and finished at 26:04 chip time, 26:00 garmin time. I’m still not sure how I’ve now managed 2 races where my garmin time is faster than the chip time knowing full well I don’t hit start until I’m over the mats and don’t hit finish usually until I remember a few seconds after crossing the line but whatever, it’s 4 seconds. 26:04 is actually my second slowest 5k. Last year’s Bel Air town run 5k was 26:15 in similarly ridiculous hot & humid weather. It’s kind of funny that I ended up placing at a 5k that was about 1:30 slower than my PR. Probably the only time I’ll ever place though so I’m counting it.
Mile splits:
- Mile 1: 8:11
- Mile 2: 8:20
- Mile 3: 8:31
- .14: 7:22 pace
Don’t mind the ugly face, this was solely to capture how disgustingly sweaty I was after! And, I was trying to hide taking a picture of myself in front of everyone. Awkward!
#2, woohoo! There were more than 20 people that ran, this sheet just stopped there. There were also more than 2 females, I’m not sure why it says 2/2?
Marta and I with our medals. #1 & #2. Turns out Marta is actually training for her first marathon in November, the Philadelphia marathon. Good luck in all your training and the marathon Marta!
I wish all the conferences I went to had a fitness program like NACUBO did. Every day they had Zumba, yoga or the race and it was nice to see such a large conference put an emphasis on fitness & health.
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Of course the conference wouldn’t have been complete without one last stop at Aramark’s display for the liquid nitrogen creamsicle they had yesterday.
Tasted just like childhood, except made way cooler.
The conference lunch kind of sucked yesterday but check out what another food vendor was giving out.
Lobster mac ‘n cheese and a roast beef pita. Delicious! I definitely went back for seconds of the mac ‘n cheese and called it lunch.
From a work perspective, the conference wasn’t that great for me personally and the region I work with but, from a food & fun perspective it was one of the best! Leaving on Saturday morning didn’t turn out to be all that bad after all but, I’m definitely happy to be home where I can resume NROLFW and get back in the kitchen!
Have you ever placed in a race? Go ahead and brag!
What’s your biggest running accomplishment?
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Great recap of the race! Loved the pics and gaining your insights on the rest of the conference! the 2/2 wasn’t age or you wld have definitely won in your age group….I wish I was 24, actually turn 41 tomorrow…The first time I’ve placed too! We will have to run it again next year!
Happy Birthday! I hope in 11 years I can beat a 29 year old in a 5k :)
Awesome job, girl! You rocked it :)
Embrace the gross-ness after a race! It’s a true sign that you put your all into it :D
I’ve placed in very, very, very small races before! Even if there are only 10 people in my age group, it’s still exciting :)
You rock!! :) The only time I will ever place is maybe when I am 80…but then again I have been beaten by 80 years olds before ;)
I love creamsicles. Especially the drink kind with alcohol in them!