Is there any other way to run a three-mile race? People tend to think that a 5K is “just a warm-up” for me, or somehow an “easy” race when, in fact, the opposite is true. A three-mile race is an all out sprint to the finish that is often spent jockeying for position while your lungs burn, your heart swells and your mind is constantly trying to tell your body what to do. It sucks.
Why do I run them? Well, this one in particular was for an excellent cause – The March of Dimes. Not only does a very dear friend of mine work tirelessly for this organization but, my best friend works for the company that has been the head sponsor of this event for years.
March of Dimes leads the way when it comes to helping sick babies become well. When I was pregnant with the twins, my biggest fear was that they were going to be premature and have to spend time in a NICU. I was lucky and my babies came home with me, but a lot of women and families are not so lucky. I was there for them. I was racing with all of them in mind, and it was powerful.
Since this was the inaugural running, there was a small field of about 150 runners. Prior to the race I got the usual “Are you going to win this?” from several of my friends there. But, you never know who is going to show up on race day or how your body is going to perform. Shit happens and I could not finish or come in last. Then I saw my competition.
When you’re in the running community, and race often, you know who the fast chicks are. Three of them showed up at this race. The fastest of all looks just like elite marathoner Desiree Davila who runs for the Hanson Brooks Running Project, and came in 10th at the Boston Marathon a few weeks ago. As soon as I saw her, I knew she would probably win since her pace is about 5:50 or so and mine is around 6. It’s just not happening, and I was fine with that. It was a completely flat course so I set my sights on a sub-20 minute race as my goal.
My competition. No worries. *GULP*
When the siren sounded at the start (yes, it was a siren and not a gun or horn) we took of a little slowly. It was weird. Hanson Brooks woman took the lead within steps and was gone with the lead guys. I hung in second but was then passed by the two other women just before the first mile marker. The race was run in two loops so I just hung in there and ran as fast as I could, keeping them both within striking distance. My self talk was something like this: “Stay steady, keep breathing, you can do this, run for babies!”
I tried to not think about the hour and fifteen minute bike, and 20 minute run I hammered out the day before. My legs were reminding me plenty without me dwelling on it.
At the start! I’m all the way to the right with the bright yellow Oiselle top and my hand on my Garmin!
Around mile 1.5 I passed one of the women, so now I just needed to stay close to the last one, who was literally right in front of me. I started thinking about strategy. I tried not to hammer my pace and just stay with her so I could kick at the finish, if I needed to. She could hear me breathing (as well as the surrounding townspeople I’m sure!) so the pressure was on her and I liked it. Just before the final turn toward the finish, I passed her and I felt good enough that I knew I had second.
It was grueling and I felt like I just wanted to lay down and die, but my friend was the finish yelling “Come on Allie! Sub 20 baby!” And that’s when I looked at the clock – 19:50! I crossed in 19:53, smiling on the outside and dying on the inside. Holy hell!!!! Hanson Brooks look-a-like finished in 18:21 to take first by a long shot!
And that’s when it got crappy. I walked back to high five the woman I was dueling with for the last mile and half (she finished 7 seconds behind me) and she kind of just lightly tapped my hand and walked passed me. What the? I have never experienced this after a race. Never.
Doesn’t everyone feel like this?
I’ve thought a lot about this since. I’m as competitive as any person I know – man or woman – but I’m always cordial to whoever bests me in a race. In fact, I love having someone to race with like that. I appreciate it because I know what kind of work it takes to race like that. I never expected to be in that kind of a fight for the finish at this race, and it was exciting and fun. Did I want to win? Hell yes. Was I ecstatic to come in second? Hell yes. Would I have been happy with third? Hell yes!
Post race with Shannon and coffee already in hand!
One of the great things about being a runner, and part of the running community, is sharing stories and thoughts with other runners because they “get it!” I would have loved to talk to these women after the race and swapped stories. I would love to have another couple running friends – especially fast ones! Part of me feels like it was no big deal and I’m expecting too much, but another part of me thinks they all just had bad attitudes. None of them stayed for the awards (they were given out over an hour later so maybe that was it?) and none of them showed any interest in talking with me, or anyone else (but each other) after the race.
Maybe they came in thinking it was going to be a sweep of first, second and third for them and I ruined their plans? Maybe they thought nothing of it, and also feel like it was a great race? I’ll never know.
Here’s where is gets really crappy. About a day later, I signed-up for my Duathlon before THE DUATHLON, which is on May 18th in a near-by town. I always check out my time from last year, and the overall female winner’s time. Well, guess who won the effing duathlon last year? The woman who barely spoke to me after the race (who I beat by 7 seconds)! She’s effing 51 years-old people!!! Now I’m really confused because, I’m so inspired by her overall duathlon time (1:28 vs my 1:38) and the fact that she’s 12 years older then me!
Clearly she qualified for the Duathlon Nationals and I’m sure would have made it to the World Championship as well. I wonder why she’s not competing? Maybe she doesn’t want to talk about it…
Overall, the March of Dimes first Race for Babies was a fantastic event and I cannot wait to do it next year!
Have you ever felt that way after a race? Do you think I’m overreacting?
Do you run/work/volunteer for a cause? If not, which cause would you choose if you could?
First, CONGRATS! Great job especially on tired legs. 5K’s are the hardest because you go all out all the time!
And second, WTF (what the face) haha. Sounds like a sore loser to me!
Thank you Emma! I know you get how hard those darn 5Ks are. Why don’t they ever get easier??
Love “what the face” 🙂
Congrats on a strong race! During my last 5k I got bested by a teenager during the sprint to the finish. SHE had the good sports(wo)manship to wait across the finish line to slap a high five and say good job! I then gushed to her that she motivated me to push it at the end. Maybe Miss 51 yr old was hurt? Probably not physically – just a bruised ego! 🙂
Thank you for confirming that I’m not crazy when it comes to finish line etiquette. So glad you were able to gush to someone post-race – I usually always do that too!
Sounds to me that she is a bit of a sore loser and truly don’t think you overreacted and probably would have felt the same way. Great job though to you and seriously the non running lover takes my hat off to you on this and so much more 🙂
Thanks Janine! I may have to make a point of meeting her at the Duathlon…hmmmm.
Way to go! I’d say you finished in a really good place. I’m not a big distance runner, but a local non-profit we’re apart of hosts an annual 5K to raise money for the lower-income families we support. I love getting to be apart of that! 🙂
It’s truly so much better to race for a cause! Good for you – that is a great one 🙂
Congrats on an awesome race!! I’ve been chasing that sub-20 5K for ever, so please tell me your secret!! And I would have been miffed by the poor sportsmanship, too! Argh!
It was just so unexpected!?
As for the sub-20 5K – you can totally do it. If you focus on speed work for a few weeks you will nail it!
Congrats to you! And the poor sportsmanship sounds very high schoolish…I would say just ignore it. I am no competition for anyone anymore but I remember the last time I ran a pretty good 8 mile time in our local road race, the women that I was battling with were super nice at the end. They just wanted to know which division I was in and how I would affect their division place. Overall is out of reach for all of us…Kenyans show up. People are silly…wouldn’t you rather have competition so you yourself run faster?
It’s so funny how women do that after a race – it’s all “what age group are you in?” ha ha!!
We have some Kenyans show up at one of the local races, so its only about age group in that situation. And yes, I would definitely rather have competition. I would NEVER have run that fast if those ladies weren’t pushing me. I live for that stuff!!
Thanks Michelle!
Amazing race Allie!! Sub 20?! I’ll be luck to get sub forty on my 5k this weekend LOL! I am surprised that the ladies aren’t nicer to you, maybe they are intimidated–or just need to get used to you? That’s a shame because I am sure that you guys can all share things with one another. I don’t think you are over reacting at all, its a shame they weren’t more cordial. It’s so simple to be nice, why do folks do the opposite?!
I don’t know!? I’ve never experienced it before from other runners. They shouldn’t be intimated by me AT ALL – they were just as fast and, on any given day, that other woman could have beaten me. Whatever. I need to let it go!!
GOOD LUCK with your race!!! Just focus on having fun and enjoy the weather 🙂
That was pretty shitty of her to do that. My guess is she wouldn’t have high fived you even if she did beat you. There is a woman who is my age group and she runs so friggin fast. One race that I noticed her in was in an 8K and she came in at 32:14. The only difference is that she is really nice.
I didn’t think of that Kris but you’re probably right! So glad the speedster you know is a nice one…they usually are!
OMG! John and this guy (not in his age group) were neck and neck the entire race. The older guy kept chasing John down and eventually passed him on the run. He finished 10 minutes before John. You know what he did? He found John and they had a big sweaty hug fest! That was 10 whole minutes after he finished. Turns out, me and this guys wife were the ones yelling at the people in transition together and starting fights with drivers on the bike course. LOL.
Hmpf. Nice time though. You so speedy!
YES! That is what I’m talking about!!! We’re all in this together – even the sherpas – ha ha ha!!! I usually bond with people like that because they’re making me better and vice versa. Thanks Tara!!
Whaaat!? That is a bad attitude for sure! She was clearly pissed you beat her. Although maybe she just feels at her age things are getting harder and the younger girls are coming in and nipping at heels. I dunno. All I can say is that you did a great job, you’re a great sport and I’m so excited for your duathlon THIS MONTH!!!! Woo hoo!
I know!! I’m no longer saying “May 28th” but the 28th! YIKES!!! Thanks Britt 🙂
So…she may be 51, but she’s acting like she’s 21. Or maybe 11. Get over yourself, lady. There’s not room for that nonsense at races. And now, well, I’m gonna pull even harder for you to do well at that du!
Congrats on an awesome 5k! I never broke 20 in my speedier days…got very close but never did. You are a stud!
Spoken like a true racing vet! I refuse to believe you never broke 20. I’m sure there was something wrong with the clock 🙂
ya ya. What MissZippy said! Don’t make me have to come over there and drop kick the peoples who have attitude at the finish line. Oh wait, that would be acting like an 11 year old. Never mind.
Maybe you can be my racing body guard!
Josie would be good at that!
Ugh- that’s definitely a yucky way to end such an amazing race. I’ve never experienced that either- I often chat with the people I pass (or who pass me) at the end to congratulate them or comment on the course. Bummer that you’ll continue to run into her in your town at races!
I’m going to take the opportunity at the Du to introduce myself. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be cranky when I’m racing at 51. I HOPE I’m racing that well at 51! Thanks Laura.
You killed that 5K – way to go!!!
Weird about that lady – maybe she was having a bad day and trying not to puke? Or maybe she’s just one of those rare runners who doesn’t share in the “we’re all runners” thing.
It will be interesting to see how she acts at your duathlon on the 18th!
Right? Maybe I’m overreacting. I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to bad day or trying to keep breakfast down! Thanks Kim.
Awesome race, Allie – congrats! The only finish line etiquette I know is to recover quickly enough to hit the snacks, which are almost all gone by the time I finish.
Thanks Dana! I totally bee-lined for the coffee and bagel tent. Both taste SO much better after all that effort!
I can think of nothing better to run for!
And I’m sorry about the crappy aspect of it – I think I’ll never fully understand people. I’m just glad she wasn’t openly rude, even if she was less than as friendly as she could have been.
Very true!…and overall, it was such a great race and a great day to celebrate all the March of Dimes babies 🙂
I would definitely be disappointed in her reaction, sounds like she’s kind of a sore loser…but props for you to try and shake her hand! And congrats on the sub 20 minut 5K. I hate 5K’s, I feel like I’m going to die…I’m much more of an endurance runner for sure. And as a matter of fact, I”m working in the NICU as I type this right now!
You do such good work Sue! It can’t be easy to work there and I hope you’re appreciated.
I’m glad you agree about the 5ks! If you’re really racing – they are horrible!!
Maybe it’s extreme introversion! I did one big race where I talked to no one but I’m not a big time racer like you and one local race (10K) where I barely beat a 70 year old woman (okay, don’t really know her age but she was clearly much older than me). Afterwards she came up and talked to me and told me how great of a race it was. I thought it was fun and loved that she came and talked to me. I would think that when someone extends a gesture like that you talk back instead of being like the losing third grade baseball team where you shake hands because the coach forced you to.
Congrats! Loved the recap!
Right!! Thanks Carla. I have since learned (sadly) that this is pretty much how she is at every race. Oh well, at least I know it’s not me. As for your race – so glad you got to talk with her afterward. It’s all part of the FUN of racing!
Sub-20!! Congrats Allie! That is amazing and so awesome. And that other woman sounds like she was being a sore loser. Most likely, it’s her own issue. She was probably disappointed at her performance and likely taking it out on you and others because it’s easier to blame someone else! I wouldn’t sweat it.
Thanks Christine! Yes, it was definitely her issue and it’s too bad but, you’re right – I’m not gonna sweat it 🙂
Congratulations on your second placing, Allie!
Not everyone’s a good sportsman/ woman, so don’t think too much on it.
I’ve let it go! Thank you Alison!
An amazing cause! Congrats on doing so well- I signed up for a 5k in mid June!
You did? That is great! Can’t wait to hear all about it….not to mention your recent trip to the races too!