Race Recap: 2015 CHKD 8K

“Leading the region in children’s healthcare services, CHKD is committed to delivering excellence in quality and service as we continually measure and improve our outcomes. We will evolve and enhance our services in response to the needs of children and the advancement of science; educate the next generation of leaders in children’s health; be the healthcare employer of choice; and collaborate with others to attain our vision.                                        

One priority, one mission, one focus: children. 

As we strive to attain our mission, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters Healthy System will provide excellence in quality of care and service through teamwork and communication, honesty and integrity, personal responsibility and stewardship of resources, as well as creativity and innovation. Our goal is to lead the region as the preferred provider of quality children’s health services for years to come.”

The above quoted statement is the Mission Statement for the beneficiary & host of this past weekend’s race—Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD). This is a facility that has been my 2^nd home for the past decade… literally. Currently, I spend 24+ hours at a time there, about 7 times per month. I can’t even begin to estimate how many hours I have dedicated over my career, thus far, caring for some of the tiniest little humans in the ICU.

On June 13, 2005, I became an employee of CHKD as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). On June 13, 2015, I ran the CHKD Run/Walk for the Kids 8K for the 5^th time. {Feel free to read my recap from 2014, HERE.} Anyone who knows me knows just how important this organization is to me. Since that day in 2005, so much has changed. I returned to school & earned my Master’s Degree, as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, with full support from CHKD. Although we have personally never needed CHKD for anything serious with our twins, it offers such peace of mind to know the facility is just 3 ½ miles down the road, should something awful happen.

This past weekend, I ran the 8K race not for me, but for those little 1lb. & 2lb. babies who keep me up, running around like a crazy woman, during all hours of the night. Without such a facility & technology, those babies simply would not survive. Those babies, as well as the big, fat squishy term gestation ones are the reasons that I pushed extra hard as the minutes ticked along, late in the race on Saturday.

Months prior to the race, I had only told a handful of folks my single aspiration for the race—place amongst my age group. I know this may sound silly, or vain, but it was my goal & I own it. Having run the race multiple times & being amongst the top 10 in my age group, I knew it was achievable, given optimal race conditions & performance. I have noticed steady improvements in my racing, having received age group & overall placing awards many times here lately at local smaller races. It was interesting this time to not have a time goal, but yet a placing goal. It became a “me vs. anyone-who-looked-my-age” mental competition. Screw the time clock—I was just dodging other 30-something ladies!

On the evening prior to the race, I prepared my favorite pre-race meal, the perfect combination of protein & carbs—Chicken Piccata. I laid out my outfit, which has become a rather easy task since we have our Running Etc. Ambassador Team singlets! I gathered everything I’d need for myself, the hubby, & the kiddos (since this event is a family affair!); then went to bed at 10-something that evening. Race morning began somewhere around 6am, & then by 6:50am we were headed the less than 5 miles down the road to the race venue. After a brief debacle with race number assignments for a few friends, one specifically on The Running Blonde’s Superstars Team, we bolted to the bathroom, then to the starting line. All just prior to the gun. Of course though, not without first snapping a group photo to start the morning off right!

During the race bib issue, I got separated from my speedy friends who I typically would have started the race with (Hi Kerry & Kara!). Honestly though, this was probably for the best. With mother nature tossing us a 73 dew point that morning (82°F with 74% humidity), I knew these were not optimal racing conditions & my chances of PRing were nil to none! These girls are slightly faster than me & I knew starting too fast would mean an inevitable demise for my race. Instead, I happily stood a bit back from the starting line with my girlfriends Mary & Shanny, & started more towards the middle of the pack. Although I had to do a bit of weaving once I crossed the start mat, I didn’t care—much better than starting WAY too quick & losing steam! I ran the first mile very conservatively, as to not exert too much energy early on.

Mile 1: 7:53

After the first mile marker, I felt like keeping my pace between 7:50-8:00, as I had decided earlier on during the morning, was a good plan. Nope, not a PR kind of day! Between mile 1 & mile 2, we ran past one of my favorite running spots in Ghent—the water along Mowbray Arch. Mile 2 came right at the Chrysler Museum of Art—my wedding destination; which of course, made me think of my hubby & wonder how his race was going (much like everyone else, he suffered & was utterly drenched in sweat at the finish line)!

Mile 2: 8:13

“Okay, now the heat has set in!” Clearly my pace had slowed & the dew point of nearly 75 was becoming evident. There is minimal shade during this course, which is fine if it doesn’t feel like nearly 90°F outside! I decided to just keep on, keeping on. Plenty of more time to push at the end & with plenty of people in front & behind me, I was just taking it step-by-step. I certainly thought there were a ton of women in front of me from my age group, which would mean I’d have to shoot for the age placing goal next year. No worries, I said to myself!

I should probably note here that between mile marker 2 & mile marker 3, there were two separate water stops (the 1^st & 2^nd water stops on the course), only about a half a mile apart. If I had a critique of the day & race, this would be it—they should have spaced the water stops out more evenly. I personally think for an 8K, one water stop at the mid-way point is sufficient. However, in race conditions like these, 3 stops are completely appropriate too—but maybe more so at the 1.5 mile, 3 mile, & 4.5 mile markers. I definitely threw a cup of water on my head at the first water stop, & tried to drink at each station…. but, it made me too nauseous. I then worried for the next 20 minutes if the water would seep through my SPIbelt & damage my iPhone. Luckily, I can report that my phone came out of the day unharmed! Ahh the summertime, such a love-hate relationship!     

Mile 3: 8:21

Mile 3 lands you right at the midway point on Brambleton Avenue, right under the heat of the blistering sun. This year, the race course was altered slightly compared to the last couple of years. I was particularly fond of running on the “with traffic” side of the road this year, as opposed to running “against” traffic, & then having to make that wide swing across Tidewater Drive. May seem silly & small, but I liked that change on the course! Between mile 3 & mile 4, you run right past my middle school—Ruffner Middle School, & then you approach Harbor Park (the local minor league baseball stadium). The 3^rd & final water station came right around the 4 mile marker, along with an awesome local cheering section! This section of the course was nice, as I began to pick up speed & pass a few folks—women & men alike (I love “chick-ing” guys!).

Mile 4: 8:10

“Okay, one mile to go, I’ve SO got this!” This was my thought as we left Harbor Park & started the weaving behind the buildings along the water, near Waterside. Sure I was hot & sweating like a scorched pig, but I honestly wasn’t giving it my ALL. I definitely left some in the tank, knowing we had a busy family day planned for after the race! However, at this point in the race, I dropped the pace back to under 8 minute miles & kick it until the end. I had been glancing at my watch throughout the race & decided that 40:xx would be a respectable time for me for that day—not a PR race, but only about a minute over. As we weaved around the buildings, I made sure to run the tangents & pass as many folks as I could. {Spoiler alert} Along here is where I think I earned the age group placing I was later shockingly (seriously, NO clue until I heard my name surprisingly announced—definitely a moment I’ll never forget!!) awarded with—as I bolted past a few women who certainly looked my age.

And just like that, the finish line loomed. Another race, CHECK!

Mile 5: 7:59

Final 0.02 miles at 6:58 pace

Garmin Time (5.02 miles): 40:44 {8:07/mile}

Official Time (4.97 miles): 40:44 {8:12/mile}

Overall: 86^th out of 934

Female: 25^th out of 566

Age Group: 3^rd out of 106

Looking back, this race was tough, with a few nauseous moments, but nothing too, too awful. I have definitely raced much harder AND much easier. This is for sure, one of my FAVORITE races of the year. It supports an incredible cause, the local children’s hospital, which is so near & dear to my heart. The added bonus is that so many local running friends show up for both runner camaraderie & healthy racing competition. I am very proud to have composed a team of 15 runners, who also supported the cause & ran/walked their little hearts out! The Running Blonde’s Superstars – y’all ROCK!! To all of the volunteers & spectators, KUDOS to you all for coming out on such a hot, humid day! Of course the City of Norfolk is great—from the Town Point Park venue to the police officers who kept us safe on the open roads. Thanks to all involved, & of course, THANKS to my #1 supporter, Scott! My sister Abby also deserves a bit of gratitude, for watching my munchkins while the hubby & I ran—Thank You! Oh & one last thanks, to Running Etc. for being the most awesome local running apparel store, who also donated the awards for the age group winners. The after party was pretty great too, with endless pizza, bananas, water, sodas, beer, & even games for the kids.

So, of course I will be back next year. Local runners, look out for this race & come enjoy an 8K with us, as we support the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters!

Up Next For The Running Blonde: Tidewater Striders Summer Series, held each Tuesday in July