As if the pressure of racing a 5K isn’t enough, I had the added bonus of running one, for the first time as an official member of Oiselle Team Voleé! I was beyond excited…and very nervous. If you’ve ever raced a 5K then you know it’s three miles of pure hell speed. I run faster then any training I do, my adrenaline is pumping and, if I’m really lucky, it feels as though those three miles stretch on forever. It’s a real hoot.
No pressure…
I was overly excited for this race because I was donning my official Team Oiselle uniform for the first time!
Look at me! I can fly!
I was also way excited for a friend of mine to smash her personal best, as she has been training for her first marathon and has been making huge strides in speed and endurance. This race ended up being an opportunity for both of us to see what we’re made of.
It was high stress getting to event because it was in downtown Hartford. Now, if you know anything about Hartford, CT then you know it’s not a real city. It desperately wants to be and I’m sure, a very long time ago, it was…however, those days are over and it’s like a ghost town there pretty much any night of the week. Except of course on race night. There was construction, cars and people everywhere and I was driving like a madwoman to get to the start, meet my friend and pin on my number. Not really the way you want to show up for an important race.
We were able to do a very quick warm-up as we searched for the start line. Yes, that’s right, we had no clue where it was. The finish line was all decked out so we hung out there and, sure enough, it was the start and finish.
Also, prior to the start, I saw my very fast friend. You remember her from the March of Dimes race? Well, I actually felt a little relieved when I saw her because I knew she would win. A little pressure off of me is a very good thing. I also love watching her run. Chasing her down is like chasing an elite. I mean, she runs a 5:00 pace so…
I took off at the start and tried to just follow speedy’s lead. I knew she would pull away soon enough, but I stayed on her for about two minutes. I mean, really.
First mile: 5:54 – um, what the hell am I doing? There should not be a 5 on my watch.
Second mile: 6:05 – that’s more like it but Dear Lord sweet baby Jesus is that a hill?
Final mile: 6:08 – please, please, please let me squeak in under 19 minutes!
Finish time: 19:06 – hooray but damn, damn, damn you 6 seconds!!!!!
As I rounded the turn for the final (uphill!) push to the finish, I could see the clock. It read 18:45. I tried to make it. I so desperately wanted a sub 19 but my legs and lungs just couldn’t get me there in time.
However, 19:06 is a 26 second PR (personal record) for me, and I came in second overall, so I was absolutely thrilled!
Melissa (Miss Speedy) won the race in 18:08 and was also bummed about not getting in under 18! Yes, we are all insane.
My friend Chrissie came in 4th overall with a time of 21:02 (another near miss!) and a PR by more then 30 seconds.
Chrissie and me post race bling!
It was a great night. And then this happened:
Wine and pizza with chicken, broccoli and bacon. Yes, bacon. And it was amazing.
As some of you know, I keep all my racing bibs and write my times, place, etc. on them. I then hang them in a very prestigious place in my home…the garage.
Once again running has taken me somewhere I didn’t think I could go. Achieving a PR is such a huge high that I was giddy all night about it.
My boys were just going to sleep when I got home, and surprised them with my trophy. Although they were disappointed I came in 2nd, and Vaughn demanded to know “why!?” They slept with the winged foot on their dresser all night. Now what could be better then that?
I also think it’s highly appropriate that my first race bling for Team Voleé has wings!
Do you run 5Ks? Love them or hate them?
What do your kids say about your racing?
Hmmmm I may love them when they’re over! Congrats on the PR!
Yes, when they’re over FOR SURE!
Congrats! How fitting that the trophy had wings???!!! I’m newish to 5k’s but they are growing on me. It’s definitely not a fun experience to feel like every single cell in your body is ready to explode BUT it’s over within a relatively short time so I can suffer through it. That and I’m curious to see how fast I can make my body go now…
They are addictive! And, kind of like pregnancy in that, after time, you forget just how painful they really are because why would you ever sign up for more then one? Baby or 5K 🙂 The rewards!!!
YAY! I would say that was a great first race for them! I am sure they are happy with that, and CONGRATS on a huge PR! That is a rather large chunk to take off in a 5k!!!!! They are painful, and I am kinda glad I am away from them now, my last speed segment, I kept running the same time over and over, it was so frustrating. I knew I was ready to break 16, yet couldn’t quite get there! I have a bad taste in my mouth about them now, but not you! Keep rocking!!!
Break 16? Dear Lord woman you are AMAZING!!!! I’m positive with the time off you have had, and IF you wanted to put in the effort, you would break 16. Thank you for your encouragement. It always means a lot!
Congrats on your PR and running your first Oiselle race! You had an awesome time so I wouldn’t be bummed at all! I hate when people say “You’re running only 5K’s”. ONLY?? If they only knew how hard they are. I actually like 10K’s better. I have yet to race one but in my training 6 miles is my sweet spot.
I also hate that! I would rather run a half-marathon then a 5K. Dead serious. 10ks are definitely fun and I enjoy them more as well because it’s a longer distance so you’re not going completely and utterly ALL OUT for the entire time…it’s more like riding the edge. 🙂
Aww, huge congrats Allie and what can I say, but you are totally amazing and rock. So proud of you, girl!!! 🙂
Thank you so much Janine! I always appreciate your encouragement here!!!
Nice job on the PR!! You’re representing Oiselle well! 🙂
Thanks Jaclyn!!! I hope so!
Woohoo! Such an awesome time!! Last year I was trying to hard to break 20 minutes and my last 5k in the spring was 20:01, drove me crazy! I’m excited to tackle that distance again at some point.
Oh Laura!!! That truly is the worst!!!…and would drive me crazy too. I bet you smash it once your back from baby!!
Woooohooo, girlie! So excited for you! 🙂 And yes… Hartford is desperately trying to be a real city, but it just can’t keep up. And everything still closes so early!
I know!!! We TRY to go out there but it’s just not happening 🙂
That’s so cute that your kids were like “why second!?” Haha. The simplicity of childhood. Way to go on your 5k race and what an awesome experience racing for Oiselle for the first time! How exciting! Question: Can I skip the 5k and just have the wine and pizza? That would be my preference. Lol!
Answer: YES! I do too sometimes you know!!
The boys were too funny. I told my brother the story and he was like “That response is because of YOU!” I had to agree.
Thanks Brittany!
nice job my speedy friend! I love the way kids think. Mine are always asking John if he won or beat so and so.
Highly competitive from birth! Gotta love it 🙂
Congrats!!! You are so speedy and those 6 seconds would have done a number on my head as well. I think I’ve run a 5K only twice! I would much rather run a marathon than a 5 K – they’re so hellishly fast and you really want to die.
Agreed! I would absolutely prefer running a marathon. I really have to psyche myself up for the 5ks but they are GREAT when they’re over!!
Yes, you are right. You are ALL insane! Those are some amazing times!! I have no doubt however that next time you will totally PR (without any pesky hills!!) How cute is your singlet?! The colors are super fab! I love that you said that Hartford is a city that desperately wants to be a city LOL I’ve seen some places like that in my time. I had family in town (for a funeral unfortunately) last night and they couldn’t believe how jumping Brooklyn was at 9pm. like they were stunned. (They are from upstate lol)
I would be stunned too! 9pm? That is almost my bedtime!!
Thanks Nellie and sorry about the funeral…I hope, at least, it was good to be surrounded by family.
Nice about the PR! And of course I’m chuckling about Hartford not being a real city. I think you’re right personally.
And I love that your boys are so interested in your passions!
I know you understand about Hartford! I was actually more near your neck of the woods, in Springfield for the wedding rehearsal dinner last Friday. It’s a little more lively down there!! Thanks Tamara.
It has been several years since I race a 5K – I used to love them and 10Ks even more!!
Great job – you are awesome!!!
Really? You should do one! I think you would be awesome at those shorter distances, plus they are quick and easy for your crazy schedule these days!! Thanks Kim!
You ran a mile under 6 minutes and then you went on to run 2 more miles at a 6 minute pace. That is freaking incredible!!! Congrats on the PR- i think its justified if you stay giddy about it all month 🙂
Ha ha ha! Thanks Charlotte. I think I will 🙂
Uhhh that was the SMALLEST piece of pizza and glass of wine after your race… EVER! Live a little?? AHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA AH AH! jk! You’re living more than me! 😉
I was waiting for someone to say that!! Hahahaha!!! That was all that was left in the wine bottle…and I didn’t want to open another AND I had at least two more pieces of pizza – don’t worry!!
Congrats on an amazing debut race as a Oiselle runner!
Thank you Ali!
So awesome. So happy for you and holy speedy!!
Thanks Christine! It was brutal, but worth it in the end…
You have wings, that’s fast!
If you start running now, you can make the birth of my twins 🙂
I’m on my way…
I am blog catching up after my crazy week….under 6 minute mile…a mile that starts with 5 …….aaaahhhhhh! AWESOME…just awesome! Super woman!
Thanks so much Jen! That means a lot coming from you. I hope things slow down for you this week… 🙂