Boca Grande 5K

Yuli, Jane, Debi, Kimmi and Louis at Boca Grande

This is my favorite race! It's run twice a year, in Oct and Feb. I have run it 4 times so far. I got my PR in this race last year. 26:30, after partying until midnight and waking up at 4am!!! I think I may have still been "feelin' good"...LOL

My husband had a cervical fusion (that's neck, not cervix...lol) 3 weeks ago. He was still on leave from work and he was able to come to this race. I felt good knowing he'd be at the finish line. He feels fabulous, no pain!!!

It felt a little cooler to me, but Betty (fellow Zoomer) told me she thought it was humid while we were at the starting line. I thought nothing of it until at about 1.5 miles out when I ran into a warm cloud that stayed with me to the end. Betty was right...it was humid. I think I felt the cooler air off the ocean at first. Fooled me for the 1st half of the race!!

I've been running with my brother-in-law Steve and my daughter Kerri the last 2 weeks. Steve quit smoking and wanted to add running to his workouts. Of course he thought of ME and my cool running abilities...lol. By his 3rd run he was up to 3 miles without stopping. With a 32 minute finish! Very proud of him. My daughter Kerri has been telling me for 2 years she wants to run but never has. She came home with a new pair of Asics the other day and now she's up to 2 miles! Tomorrow is her first 3 miler and she'll do great! The coolest thing is, both of them LOVE running! One of the greatest things my coach taught me was how to love running. This is something that's so important for me to pass along, so seeing these two running and LOVING it warms my heart.

Debi is training for her first half marathon in Feb! She's going to run with us too, since Steve and Kerri are also training for the half in Feb. Well, they don't know that yet...but they are...lol. I figure I'll slowly and quietly add on the mileage and see how they feel. Right now 13 miles feels unattainable to them. Seeing how quickly they're adapting to the cardio and distance is telling me they can do it. I'm excited for all 3 of them!!!

So with being in on three people's training runs, turns out I ran 15 miles last week. Haven't done that since before that evil spinal tap. My legs are still spasming, as is my back but I can run through it. I was running through it for over a year anyway...LOL

Back to the Boca race (got off the trail....)

This was the 5k/10k run. 100 people ran the 5k and I think 125 ran the 10K. Not too many runners, maybe because of the heat, economy or a bit of both. I felt good by half a mile. I was happy to be holding a 9 minute pace. I could see Mary up ahead and I kept my eye on her. I didn't see Tina until after the turnaround and was SHOCKED to be ahead of her for once!! That gave me the boost I needed at about 2 miles. It was here that I started to pass some people. It SOOOO pays off to start off a little slow. Once you get warmed up you can kick it up a notch and start passing the peeps who go out too fast. Great for the ego...LOL

I started my sprint at the 3 mile marker, slowly picking up speed. I saw Bobby at the finish line and gave it all I had left. Ed, Joan and a few other friends were there and I could hear them yelling my name. That is such a big help! They know I've been having troubles and how happy I am to be back. I finished at 27:32. One minute slower than my PR! I am happy. Thrilled!!! =)

We went and sat down, waiting for the awards. Those tiny black bugs ate us alive! My legs won't stop itching. Anyway...I made first place in my age division!!!! I love this race!!!!

Boca Grande 5K Race Results

This is my 3rd time running Boca. It's one of my favorite races because of the beauty all around. I'm usually so busy looking around that I miss all the mile markers. Every time I get to the 3 mile marker I feel so surprised!

This is the first race where I decided to get the t-shirt in my size. I always get them for my husband, who gets a kick out of wearing these shirts when he doesn't even run. I felt a little remorseful as I put the shirt in the car, wondering if I should run back in and switch the size. But I didn't.

Reg and I made our way to the starting line and chatted with everyone. We were just behind the elites, who were the sub 6 minute pacers. Let me just say this...they're mostly the 16-19 year old track team with their skinny little legs that become a blur when the starting horn goes off....whateva! LOL

I was talking to some friends and lost Reg, but I figured after our half marathon disaster, he was staying away from me. Before he disappeared though, he pointed to some orange cones. I promised him the orange cones on Boca Grande wouldn't get him. These are runner friendly orange cones. He didn't look convinced. In fact, I think he was having flashbacks...

So the horn goes off, we start running. After about 3 minutes I realize I forgot to turn on my Garmin. SHOOT! I hit the on button and kept going, looking up ahead for Reg and the people I try to keep up with. I was surprised to have Ed, Josephine and Mary still in my sights. Well hey!! I decided to hold my pace instead of thinking I was going too fast. That's what happens to me when I race. I get worried about going out too fast, which makes me hold back. Endurance training is hard to kick, but I'm making a huge attempt to switch out to short distance thinking...

By half a mile in, the crowd thinned. Seemed pretty early for that, but what do I know??? As I passed the 1 mile marker I heard a hello and looked to my left. It was Reg!! Turns out he had gone to the back of the starting line, not realizing he was facing the wrong way. He said when the horn went off and the crowd ran off he was left behind. *chuckling right now* teehee!!! (Reg, I'm sorry for laughing but that was the funniest thing I've ever heard....LOL!!! So anyway, Reg had to book it to catch up. He ran with me for a little while and then took off.

At about 2.75 miles out I heard someone running behind me, catching up. I kept my pace and watched a woman run by me. I decided she wasn't in my age group, so I let her go instead of hip-checking her like a pro hockey player. When I saw mile marker 3, I was feeling good so I kicked it up a notch or two and ran by Little Miss Passer. I was right behind Mary! No freakin way!! I thought about trying to pass her, but I had "Sylvia's Mother" by Dr Hook playing on my "NEW iPod SHUFFLE THAT MY SWEETIE GOT ME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY" . It's hot pink too, my fave color!!!! Lalalalalala!!!! Anyway, kept me kinda mellow and feeling the '70's love so I stayed right behind her instead. I could hear Little Miss Passer behind me and planned to keep her there just in case she WAS in my age group. I'm no dummy.

Ran through the finish line and was pleasantly surprise to see the runners who are usually at the water stations by the time I come through. Turns out I had a new PR folks. Lemme say that again: I GOT A NEW PR FOLKS!!!!! YES!!! My last PR was 27:25. My new PR is 26:34. Almost a full minute shave!!! Oh, I'm liking this. I'm also shocked since I've been having all this trouble with my muscles, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Another very sweet thing happened after the race. A man I've never seen before came up to me and told me he saw me coming out of nowhere. He said I was flying toward the finish line and said it was pretty cool to watch. AWWWWWW Mr Runner Friend, how sweet you are! Wish I knew who he was so I could ask him to post those beautiful words here for all to see....lol

I saw Little Miss Passer and called out to her...we laughed and sat together for the awards. Her real name is Dianne and she's from Syracuse, NY. She's in the 55-59 age group (coulda fooled me). I was glad I didn't hip check her. She was a nice lady!!!

The awards ceremony was eventful too. I won a door prize. You won't believe it, but I got a second t-shirt with a paid voucher for next year's race! I was thrilled about the t-shirt because now Bobby has one too!

I placed 3rd in my age group, Reg placed 3rd in his too, at 25:28 (GO REG!!!).

Next race is Saturday up in Tampa. The Gasparilla 15K. This will give me a chance to find a decent distance race to run while I'm figuring out my new limitations. Full marrys are out. Might attempt another half. I want to see what this 15K will leave me feeling.

Boca Grande 5K

Most of the Endurance team took this weekend off, but there were a few of us die hards who showed up for the Boca 5k. I ran this race last January and LOVED it. It's out on the island and sooo beautiful. The weather was actually cooperative too. Not too hot and a little breezy.

Given my sore hips and right knee, I had not run for a whole week. I was pretty sure my finish time would be "less than thrilling", but I figured...what the hey! I'd run it and take whatever the outcome. So I proceeded to party hardy Saturday night and downed 5 (yeah 5) beers. I woke up a little tired but I figured it wouldn't matter.

Sherry (Stiffy Legs Blues) was going to be there with her husband Scott, and I knew a bunch of people who were going to run it too. The social part of these runs are just as much a draw as the race for me. I love these people. Mike is back from Maine and he was supposed to meet us there. He was a no-show, very disappointed! I saw Chuck, Sherry, Mary, Bill...too many people to name.

Jim, Bethany, Josephine, Frank, Cindy and myself were the only ones who came. Tess had been traveling and needed a good rest. She was missed but we understand the need for sleep!!! And we were jealous we didn't get any....LOL.

I saw the tattooed woman I seemed to stay with for the last 3-4 races. Her name is Amy and she's not in my age group...lol. I knew that but I thought she was 22, she's 32! I talked with her today and told her I wanted a picture of her tattoo. It takes up her entire back, it's beautiful. As soon as I get that I'll post it.

Boca Grande 5K is very well known for their fantastic door prize of a 2 night stay at the Anchor Inn. It's worth $800. and we all covet it. Specially me. But that was not to be. The only thing that made THAT ok, was Jim got it! I guess if I couldn't have it, I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather see get it than my coach. But I want it even as I write this. BLAH....lol

We lined up at the start, I skipped my warm up run. I figured I already had a strike against me by imbibing the 5 brewdogs the night before. I did make a new playlist on my iPod for 28 minutes. It's my new thing. I make a playlist in the time allotment that I'm wanting to finish in. I make sure the last 2 songs are "The Race Is On" by Sawyer Brown and "Destiny" by Jim Chaps. This way I know where I'm at since I hate to wear a watch...

The island is so very beautiful, I looked around while I was running, trying to take it all in. The dragonflies were not as abundant but there were a few. The smell in the air was fresh and crisp. I ran with Sherry for a little while before she pulled ahead and then turned for her 10k route. I went straight ahead for the 5k. I slowed at the water table, sipped a little and poured the rest of the water on my arms and legs. I was so busy looking around that I never saw any of the mile markers. I can kinda feel the distance without them but I kept forgetting to check for the markers. Next thing I knew I was at the 3 mile mark. And I felt good. Still strong. Had some energy in me. So I booked to the finish line. I realized my iPod was still playing which meant I was coming in under 28 minutes. Hmmmmmm....made me go faster. I flew down the chute with "Destiny" blaring in my ears. I couldn't believe I got in at 27:31. Just one second longer than my PR. So now I'm all pissy because had I skipped the beers and warmed up and stretched I might have had new PR. Live and Learn.

Guess what? I think I want to change my goal time back to sub 2 hours. Will I ever be satisfied?????

Boca Grande 5K

I woke up at about 5am this morning for the race. Had my usual bagel with peanut butter, juice and this time a Slim Fast. My stomach can't handle the energy drinks right before the races and I noticed the Slim Fast has just about the same stuff in it. I tried those instead before a few of my long runs and I did fine with them. They taste 100% better too.

This was my 4th race, and last race before the marathon. As you know, I pulled my achilles and just got over the flu so I had 2 things I was watching for during this race. Most important was how that achilles would feel and secondly, if I could beat Mike Moses. JUST KIDDING!! HA!! Ok, not really kidding. I did want to beat him, but I knew I couldn't. And I was right, he left me in the dust. Whatever, his day to lose to ME is approaching.

Anyway, I was also watching (and feeling) how my endurance would be. Jim told me to run the 5K either before or after the actual race in addition to, but I decided to just enjoy today. I'm finally getting to know some people who I don't get to talk to anywhere but at the races so I wanted to visit a little. I'm glad I did, I saw many people....Chuck Johnson is one of my faves, he did awesome, coming in at 1st place for his age division. (YAY CHUCK) I saw Jackie and Sherry, who both did phenomenally well (GO GIRLS....we need to run together soon) Josephine (blue sneakers) was there (I love her!!) I got to talk with a lot of Zoomers too. Great group of people. The support I got from so many people today gives me the confidence to run that marathon. It's a wonderful feeling having people come and give words of support. I drove home today thinking about how well everyone did, and I'm happy to be a part of it all. I wish I could name them all here, but I know you all know who you are. xxxooo

SO...I took off at the starting line, a little quick but in much better control than I've had in the past. I kept up with Mike for about 2 minutes (LOL) then fell in behind him. I concentrated on finding my pace and realized I felt very comfortable as I passed marker 1 mile 9:30 minutes in. I kept that pace and walked the water table. Got right back into it and really felt fine. Of course now, sitting here, I can't help thinking I should have gone faster but I know I did the right thing keeping that pace.

I want to go much slower for the marathon, about 11-12 minute pace for that. Anyway, I saw Bethany around mile marker 3, as she was running the 5k AGAIN (no wonder she has such a killer bod) She yelled out good job, gave me a boost, and I picked up my speed a fraction. I saw my neighbor PJ (we call him the hunky fireman here in the neighborhood....lol) He's a Boca firefighter. He knows CPR. HAHA!! He's gonna kill me for this....heehee....When I saw the finish line I sprang into action! I passed 'em on the left, I passed 'em on the right....I flewwww....ok, I'm exaggerating a tad. I only passed 2 people and that was by mere seconds but it still felt great. I looked at my watch and saw I probably wouldn't beat my 30:52 PR from the last 5K. I was hoping to beat that. Oh well. But wait....guess what? I did beat it. By 2 seconds!!! I got a kick out of that.

The difference between the last 2 races was huge though. I was not as exhausted this time and my muscles are not bothering me at all, even right now. I see that my overall endurance and physical feeling is much better now. Which tells me this: I COULD have gone faster, but I was in control this time. I stayed on pace for once. This means more to me than beating my PR. My chances of finishing the marathon and actually doing well is coming into focus. I learned to pace myself above trying to win today and for me, that's a pretty big deal. I feel like I hit a new level of running this morning. I feel in control, healthy, ready, willing and able to run my first marathon in a week. I'd love to finish in 5 hours, but you know what? I'm going to that marathon in a new frame of mind: To finish happy. To have a good time. To talk with people along the way and relish the experience.

Jim told me I was an athlete last week. To hear those words from the person who has helped me all this way, who trained me and taught me this specific method to running a marathon was thrilling. It meant more to me than any medal I've won. As I stood there cheering on my fellow Zoomers and runners as they got their trophies this morning, I wasn't called. I placed 8th in my age division. I leaned over to Chuck and said..."I didn't win this one", But I felt more proud of myself in today's race than in any other race I've run, because today's race, I was in control. I ran this race as an athlete. So I did win.