For the past month, the Tidewater Striders running club has hosted a weekly “race”. I say race because they are not races per se, but more like fun runs. With pizza, bananas, watermelon, & beer at the end; not to mention all the good company to hang-out with! My runners mentality—if you give me a bib, it’s a race! Originally planned were 4 weeks of runs, each Tuesday evening in July; however, Mother Nature had a different idea for the 2nd week & that one was cancelled. Subsequently, the 3rd week was modified to include components of the previously planned cancelled 2nd run. So, my weekly runs went something like this:
- Week #1: Adidas 4-mile Countdown {options were also available to complete 1- or 2-miles}
- Week #2: Cancelled
- Week #3: Saucony 1-mile Poker Relay
- Week #4: Memorial Scholarship 5K
Week #1: The race clock started with 75 minutes on it. The goal of this week was to start your run when you thought you’d cross the finish line at 00:00, so everyone, regardless of pace, would finish together. Before the run, my running partner Julie & I discussed pace & our plan for the evening. We also chatted with our friend Steph about what she planned to do. I think Julie & I settled on low 8s—kind of like a tempo run; Steph (3-months post-partum from delivering twins) just wanted to shoot for 9s. Around the 40 minute mark on the clock, we impromptu started. Just as we took off, Julie sped away. Thanks girl! Hehe, joking! In her defense, she thought we were right behind her. Steph & I stuck together until about ½ mile left, at which point she pulled ahead. Totally fine with me, as it was a hot evening {91°F with 44% humidity = 67°F dew point} & I was just trying to keep my pace in the mid-8s. Go Steph! She is sure to be back in awesome running form in NO time!
Finishing Time: 34:39 {8:39/mile avg pace}
Week #3: Originally planned for this week was just a 2-3 mile run with poker cards handed out at various points on the course, best hand being the winner. Nice idea where it’s not the fastest person winning the race, instead, the luckiest! To modify, the Tidewater Striders combined ideas from the prior week’s cancelled run & made it a relay. Definitely okay with me, as it forced me to meet a couple of people in the local running community that I had never met. I was assigned bib #175, so I had to join up with my 2 other relay team members—numbers 275 & 375. I met a lovely tri-athlete named Barbara & a youth running coach named Steve. Since I had the number starting with one, I was first in the relay. As “the gun” sounded, off I went. My goal, get a timed mile… something I have actually NEVER done. I should add here, I did mile repeats X3 on this morning, so my legs were definitely not fresh. The mile flew by, as did I…. or so it felt!
Finishing Time: 6:54 (whoop, whoop!! Finally a mile repeat under 7:00!)
Week #4: This past week was the timed 5K. This run is particularly nice, as the proceeds go to scholarships for local youth runners. I believe they said they raised more than $8,000. Nice! As the race approached, I thought it would be nice to PR…. when isn’t it nice to PR?! I thought it was somewhat reasonable, but would mean I’d have to go out smart. My PR for the 5K was set on a very cold December morning; quite a bit different than a warm July evening. However, with the unseasonably cool temps we’ve been having, I thought, “what the heck, let’s give it a go”.
As the run began, I started near the front & felt pretty good. However, the run quickly became annoying. I wanted to just run by feel & not look at my watch. But by what seemed like 20 minutes later, & not a beep to be heard, I looked down – 0.9 miles. Oohhhhkay. This sucks. By 1.55 miles, or the halfway point, I wanted to walk & enjoy the beautiful scenery that the Botanical Gardens has to offer. I ignored the voices in my head & just kept on trudging. Close to the 3 mile mark, & approaching the bridge which usually leads to the end, I got excited. Almost home free! Then I saw the turn off through the Rose Gardens. Oh, what a surprise…. more distance to run. In true runner spirit, I just kept going. And just like that, I stomped across the mat.
Official Chip Time: 23:48 {7:40/mile avg pace}
I should add here how impressed I am about 2 things related to these fun runs. First, the Tidewater Striders organized great, well-organized races! I thoroughly enjoyed myself & will definitely be back next year. If you are a local, consider joining the Striders so that you too can enjoy all of the benefits that they have to offer. Annual membership is super cheap! Secondly, I am uber impressed with the fitness level of the running community in this area, specifically my age group! I placed 6th in the 5K, out of 15 women who are 30-34y/o, with the first 3 females in our age group running with average paces in the 6s. The first 3 overall female finishers had average paces ranging from 5:52-6:00; with the top male completing in just under 5min/mile average. Oh & my lovely running partner Julie, 1st place in her age group—go lady! Fantastic athletes, in my opinion & I am honored to run amongst such talented folks!
See you Tidewater Striders, for the winter Distance Series!
Up Next for The Running Blonde: Rock ‘n Roll ½ Marathon on the last day of August
Leave a Reply