31st Annual GET IN GEAR 10K Run/WalkMinneapolis, MN Saturday April 26, 2008
5K OFFICIAL RESULTS - FEMALES
Place Bib Name Div Age Time Pace
1 5442 DEBRA GORMLEY 1 41 20:33 6:37
517 5573 JENNIFER JENSEN 101 34 36:11 11:39
537 5660 JESSICA K. 106 34 36:36 11:47
602 5880 JENNIFER N. 118 34 38:10 12:17
Okay, so I didn't run like a Kenyan, but I felt I ran a good race nonetheless, as did my partners who motivated me to sign up with them. I can not imagine running a 6:37 mile. That is pure insanity!
The weather at race time was gross. I'm still cold--12 hours after finishing. As mentioned in an earlier post, I started my training in single digit weather with below zero wind-chills to contend with. But this is the end of April, for goodness' sake. This morning we woke up to 32 degrees, snow on the ground and the wind gusting up to 25 MPH in our fair city. It was indeed crappy weather. But that didn't stop the people from coming out to run /walk.
My impression of this type of run / walk format was that we would line up according to pace and once the race started, the walkers would stay to one side of the road, the runners on the other side. It was not to be. We girls were toward the rear of the pack waiting for 9:50 to approach and then the mass of participants just started to move. There was no audible horn or starting gun to mark the beginning of the race. Once moving out of the chute, it took a while to get some room to get the stride going. And then when it started opening up a bit, it was a challenge to bob and weave through the walkers who meandered through the route and keep the momentum going. Because of these reasons, it didn't take long for us to get separated. Whether we intended to or not, we each ended up running our own race.
Despite the crappy weather, my Dad got out to the course and cheered us on. It was really neat to hear him call out: "Jennypoo!" to catch my attention on my way out, approximately at the one mile marker. On my way back, he was there again and I gave him a high five and kept on trucking with his encouraging cheers, "You're looking real strong out there. Keep it up!"
For the final quarter mile, there was a mild incline and straight-on wind gusts greeted us. While I tried to keep a little left in the tank for the finish, the wind was countering my efforts and I just couldn't make the final burst I had planned for. In the end, it didn't matter. The most important thing is that we all ran the entire course and we are living to tell about it.
We rock! Thanks again, girls, for inviting me to run with you. I'm looking forward to our next race together.
2 comments:
My favorite quote of race day, "I'm already beginning to regret my choice of underwear." And despite the creeping uncomfortableness, you lead the blue shirt pack to total awesomeness. Look out Autumn Daze Festival--we are going to crush you.
Awww, geez! I already forgot that statement. Oh well, I ran a little faster, to be sure.
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