Race Recap: 2015 Wicked 10K

A few days ago, I ran my third Wicked 10K. This race is by far one of the most fun & enjoyable races of the year. There are endless amounts of costumes to see, many of which I ponder how anyone could wear/carry/function in—let alone, run 6.2 miles in them! Amazing-sauce.

Since the Marine Corps Marathon {you can read that recap here!} was only 6 days before Wicked this year, I had no idea how the 10K would go down. I had zero expectations for race day—I literally entertained the idea of jogging it, racing it, or even walking it. It was all dependent upon how my body felt—the sore calf definitely complicated things. As a realist, my intentions were never to PR at Wicked {Spoiler Alert: I did not set a new PR}. But, I thought a nice, solid tempo-type run would be great.

The only thing I did know about race day, was that my outfit would be a minion! Along with a few of my fellow awesome twin mommas, we donned our yellow attire with grey goggles.

To say I was relaxed about this race would be an understatement. Up until just a couple of hours before I went to bed on the night before the race, I had no idea of my driving logistics, wake up time, or plan for the boys. I didn’t eat anything in particular on the evening before, & really, did zero preparation for race day. I guess when you’ve just run 26.2 miles, running less than a quarter of that is viewed as a piece of cake!

I did eventually make driving plans & was picked up by one of the twin moms. After a stop to meet up with the rest of the minions, we headed to the oceanfront. Once at the convention center, I got my packet/bib, used the potty, & then dropped my bag off at the trucks. Next, it was time to scope out all of the fantastic costumes. I couldn’t pick a favorite, but I really thought the Wizard of Oz group was very well put together—including the spinning house. The one that I didn’t get a pic of, but wish I had, was a grown man in a grizzly bear costume, with a wooden cage strapped to his torso—with a grown man inside! I am not sure if he completed the entire 6.2 miles that way, but if he did, WOW—kudos to him!!

After a photo op with the MRTT group, I met up with Kerry & we headed to the first corral. Not too long after, off we went!

Within a quarter mile, I knew this would be no “race” performance, not even a tempo run. My calf HURT! With every step, I could feel my muscle squeeze & ache. At 0.7 miles, I stopped to stretch it. I told myself if it didn’t loosen up by the first mile marker, I would walk the race. And have ZERO shame about that. There was no point in further injury at a race that is supposed to be a fun run for me! The 1-mile marker arrived & I felt like it was slightly loosened up, so I continued to run. I purposely slowed my pace, to minimize the pounding my calf would be subjected to. Quickly thereafter, mile 2 arrived. Already!? That’s the fun part about running & having an endless number of costumes to gawk at!

Mile 1 – 8:51

Mile 2 – 8:35

The next little bit of the race was spent on the boardwalk, running north. It is typically a part of the race where you encounter wind. Not that day—the weather overall for the race was perfect! A bit sunny, but great temps & humidity wasn’t a factor. Once back on Atlantic Ave, I chatted with a few local running peeps, then resumed my people watching (aka costume stalking!).

Mile 3 – 8:39

Mile 4 – 8:24

By now, the calf was loose. I could still feel it, but it wasn’t painful. Maybe running is just what my leg needed to work out the “kinks”, I thought! I decided it was time for a few tempo-paced miles. I would continue to smile at friends, high-five the kids, & thank the volunteers—but since I had paid for a race, I might as well step up my game & get my money’s worth. Hehe! By mile 5, we had returned to the boardwalk, this time heading south. Still, no wind. Nice! The portion on the boardwalk—about a mile—I just ran fast. And it felt SO good. After not running for 5 days, my legs were happy. This is what they were meant to do. My HR rose, but I didn’t care. It was time to chick some guys & cross that finish mat!

Mile 5 – 8:09

Mile 6 – 7:51

Final 0.23 miles to the Finish – 7:30

Garmin Time: 52:14 (8:23/mile)

Official Time: 52:14 (8:25/mile)

Overall: 533 out of 5736

Gender: 116 out of 3800

Age Group: 35 out of 627

First 5K: 26:54 (8:39/mile)

Second 5K: 25:20 (8:09/mile) – a huge negative split race!

Even though I ran a good portion of this race at easy pace, I was very encouraged by how much I had left in the tank at the end of the race. I was only 1 minute + 52 seconds slower than last year’s Wicked—but the difference being, I “raced” it last year (weather was better this year, however). Still a good way off of my PR, but very happy to even be able to run 6 days after a marathon!

After the race, my calf started hurting again. Badly. I immediately regretted those tempo miles. I stretched & rested, but told myself a session with Jim Browning (local ART guru) was priority #1 for the beginning of the week. Hours later, once home, icing the calf felt amazing. Aleve has been my friend too. And now, fast forward a few days later, I am happy to report that the calf is feeling tons better—following a session with that guru! I can descend the stairs with zero discomfort & with a few more days of heating pad sessions + Epsom salt bath, I do think it’ll be back to 100%. I have strict orders for no speed intervals or hills right now though—which is 110% okay with me; as long as I can toe the line for my double half weekend in less than 21 days!

As a coach, I am sometimes more excited about my athletes race’s, compared to my own. This is definitely the case for this past weekend! Four of my clients ran the Wicked 10K—of which, 3 girls set HUGE PRs. One of those sweet ladies, who has been with me since nearly the beginning, PR’d at the 1-mile, 5K, AND 10K distance. AWESOME-SAUCE indeed!! So very proud of all four of them & their dedication to their running journeys!

The highlight of the Wicked weekend for me though, without a doubt, was Andersen & Alexander running their 2^nd race—the Monster Mile! About an hour after I completed my race, the hubby arrived to the beach with the twins & they “enjoyed” 1600 meters of Wicked-Good-Fun!! I will say, I think 3-year-olds might be better suited for the half mile distance still. Ha! We spent the next 20 minutes along Atlantic Ave & the boardwalk with one boy bolting & one boy on piggyback—then vice versa. Lucky for me, I had my good friend Kerry & her hubby to help keep tabs on my duo that either wanted to run ahead, or be carried by momma. Good times!! I can’t wait until the boys are older, so that I can show them how much fun, & entertaining, their first few races were. I hope you enjoy these pics of my littlest loves!

Up Next For The Running Blonde: The USA Half Marathon Invitational in San Diego on November 21^st, & then, not even a full 24 hours later + 3,000 miles across the country, the Harbor Lights Half Marathon in Norfolk on November 22^nd!! These 2 races & the entire adventure will be shared with my dear friend Kerry. Yes, we are slightly crazy!