Happy Trails 5K

Some of you already know that I lost my running mojo since my last half marathon I ran in April. I have never had this happen to me before. When it first started, I thought maybe it was because my body was tired so I cut back a little on my mileage. But it did not really help much. I struggled to get out and run. I used to look forward to my runs. BUT I believe that I have seen a glimmer of my mojo today and I am so happy!
The Happy Trail 5K took place in Wildwood Metropark system in Toledo. I signed up for it because I really like to run on trails. There were about 700 runners. The start was a little crowded but it did space out nicely about 1/2 mile into the race. We started out on paved path way. It was a perfect day for a run, 70 degrees and no humidity! We ran almost a mile on the paved pathway and turned off into dirt/sand and grass trail. It was so beautiful. There was a deer that was curiously watching us as we ran along. There were a few hills along the route, but they were not bad. As Ginger put it so well...hills are like chocolate. That stuck with me as I ran up them. The last surface we ran on was boardwalk. As I rounded the corner after hitting the 3 mile marker, my wonderful husband, Dan was there along the course. He knew that I was trying to get under 30 minutes. He ran along side of me and started cheering me on. Actually, he said "You better kick it in gear or I will pass you up!" He knows how to get me going. Finished at 31 minutes. So close! (1st mile 9:45, 2nd 19:30, 3rd 29:50)

Color Run

     There is nothing like running with one of your kids. And it is even better when you can have fun and get dirty at the same time. Taylor and I ran the Color Run in Ypsilanti, Michigan. We choose to follow their suggestion and wore as much white as possible. It was an early start for us! We left the house at 5 am and headed up north. We drove by and picked up Taylor's boyfriend, Kyle, who was going to be our official photographer.

    The race was sold out at 15,000 people. For those who have not run one of these races before, there is no time clock. I left my garmin at home. Which I felt like I was missing something the whole time I ran. It is sad how dependent you become to technology  Taylor mentioned that there were no mile markers either. They would start people off in waves of 1,000. We were lucky and got into the third wave. There is no reason for the wave except to try and thin out the 15,000 of us. According to the information I had read online, runners were to stay to the left and walkers to the right. Apparently, very few people read this information. I had to remind myself and Taylor that this was a fun run and not a timed event. It is more about getting people out and moving. I did find it a little annoying when walkers would span across the whole road and it was hard to pass them.
    There were several hydration areas throughout the race. There were four colors (pink, orange, yellow and blue) that we ran through. We discovered that if you stayed way to the left or right of the road, you get a lot of color. People lined up for the color but it moved fairly fast. Our goal was to get as messy as we could. A word of advice...no matter how much fun you are having, keep you mouth closed when you reach the color stations. Taylor learned this the hard way after having a lot of yellow in her mouth. Someone had set up a "Glitter" station. So we had to get our glitter as well.
    We had a blast. In fact, it did not feel like a 5K at all. It was a huge party and we were having lots of fun. As we were nearing the finish line, we did our normal thing. Run strong and hard to the finish. I looked over and there was Kyle sprinting a head of us along the finish line trying to beat us so he could get a picture. He did not make it before we got there.  Thank you Kyle for taking our pictures for us!

     At the post run party, we got to release the color packets that they gave us. There was great music and a party atmosphere. I did feel like a teenager again :). Taylor and I went into the middle of the party and at one point we could not see anything but a mass of color. It was beautiful. Overall, this is a great run to do for fun. No pressure, no PR, just lots of fun!!!

Glass City Half Marathon

     I mentioned to my husband that I have been lucky and had never ran a long distance race in the rain. Apparently, Mother Nature heard me and decided that it was my time to experience a race in the rain. It start to rain lightly as we left the house for the race and did not stop. Thankfully, the temperature was around 50.
     Right before the race, we had a minute of silence for those who died and were injured at Boston. When we looked up there was a plane flying over with the American flag and the date of the Boston Marathon. We were all given blue bands with gold writing on them that said "Runners Unite" When the race started it took me a little bit to get to the actual start line. I decided to run with the 2:20 pacers.
     There was a lot of bumping and congestion for about 3 miles. I changed my mind and decided to run ahead of the 2:20 pacers. I really wanted to see if I could hit a run goal of 2:15. I used the pacers as a push to keep myself a head of them. When I heard them (they were really funny) getting close, I knew that I needed to up my pace.
     The route went by some very beautiful and big houses. I had never seen this part of Toledo. Because of the rain, there was no entertainment along the route. However, there were some die hard spectators which I so appreciated. I wish I could tell them how much they help push me through when they cheer us on. Since my name was on my bib, some of them were calling me by name.  I saw Santa Claus. A runner next to me said that she did not realize that she ran to Christmas. There was a nun and priest, family in pajamas, a giant lobster, Flash, Superman and Batman. Oh, and a mermaid. One of my favorite signs was at 1/2 mile that said "You are almost there. Quit now, free beer"
     At mile 8 we separated from the marathoners. We ran into Wildwood Preserve Metropark which was beautiful. Nice asphalt paths winding its way through trees. About this time, the soft rain turned into a steady rain. The picture below is not today but I wanted to share with you what it looks like.

    Mile 9 I saw that there was a runner on the ground. I ran over to see if she was okay. There were about 5 other runners around her. She was talking. But looked pretty pale. One of the runners told me she was okay and was talking on her cell phone. So, I continued on. Again at mile 11, I saw other runner laying down but the squad was coming up the hill with a stretcher.
     As I was approaching mile 13, all the sudden there was honking behind me and was told to move over to the left.  The lead runner for the marathon was coming through. I have never seen this before. He had people on bikes in front of him and was being followed by a golf cart. He beat the Glass City Marathon record. I thought that was really cool and impressed as I was finishing 13.1, he doubled my distance to come in at the same time!!
   We ran .10 mile into the Toledo Rockets (UT's) football stadium which is the finish line. We all got a glass beer mug and bling. The medal is pretty with the red being stained glass.

 

Overall, this was a great race. Even though I did not met my goal of 2:15. I was 3 minutes off. I was satisfied. Especially since I did a half one week prior. My plan of repeating the week of my race twice in training worked.    This race was pretty flat with a few small hills. Nothing like last weekends. I will definitely do this one again. 

Earth Day Challenge Half Marathon Gambier, Ohio

     It was a picture perfect day for a run. I was so thankful that the crazy wind I have been dealing with most of my training runs was just a gentle breeze. I have to admit when we arrived in Gambier yesterday to pick up my packet, I was a little concerned. I did not realize how hilly that area of Ohio was. I am from a very flat part of Ohio and steep hills intimidate me. As we drove around, I was trying to figure out what "one steep hill" I would have to run up at .5 mile into the race. This race was a small one, it reminded me of one of the races I have done with the running group (Toledo Roadrunners). There was no expo before the run. The expo was after the run but was not a running expo but an Earth Day one. Focusing on environmental issues, organic food, recycling etc.

      All the runners lined up on the Kenyan College track. They had pace per mile markers along the track. You were to line up according to what pace you planned to run. There were no pacers to run along with you. I chose to run at the 11 minute per mile pace. My plan for this half was to take it easy, enjoy myself and finish. 

      There was also a 4 mile run happening at the same time which the runners for that race ran with us and would eventually turn off. The first hill was at .5 miles. This was a steep hill. Holy cow, they were not lying. I started to run up the hill however about half way up the hill, my legs were on fire. I decided that I was not going to push my luck and walked the rest of the way up the hill. Many runners were doing the same thing. 

       The next 3.5 miles ran through the Kenyon College campus.  It was beautiful. We ran on a variety of surfaces from gravel to asphalt. There were multiple rolling hills. I am happy to report that I ran up all the rest of the hills. We made big loop to the track area again where the Four Milers cut off to finish their race. 

       The race then continued to the Kokosing Gap Trail. It is an asphalt trail that winded it way through the woods. The river ran along one side of it. These kind of trails are my favorite. There was no entertainment along this route but I did not really miss it. I really enjoyed just being in the outdoors on a gorgeous day. There were a few spectators along the way (only on the 4 mile route) other than that you saw the volunteers at the water stops. This was an out and back part of the course. 

     I came out of the trail and saw Dan standing a distance down the road. As I started to pass him, he ran along side of me and took some picture. He grabbed my water bottle and told me to run hard. He knew that I was set up for a PR. The finish was on the track which you run around it. I really did not think I had anything left in me, but I pushed a little harder and picked up my pace and crossed the finish line. There was no bling given. This race felt it is important to give out usable items. I got my finisher coffee mug and pne seeding. 

      This is a great race if you like hills, small town atmosphere with very little crowds. It has beautiful  scenery. I am happy that Dan picked this race out for me.