After the fun and success of the Frantic Frenzy -- we decided to take the summer off...... we were scared away by the hot weather, and, well, the lack of $$ certainly contributed to it as well. We signed up for a 5 mile run (EEEEEK) in early September, in Valparaiso, IN. It was part of the Popcorn Festival -- the run is called to Popcorn Panic. And we were in a panic --this was a huge run for us!!! I trained for it, and, you'll never guess who did not.
We arrived in Valpo on race morning feeling pretty nervous, we had a good idea what roads would be included (we are NOT the nerds who study and analyze the course maps --- gets our minds out of whack) and the roads we were thinking of were quite hilly..... this is no good for us, because we live in the flattest part of the universe. can't hill train in Wheatfield. period.
We had plenty of time (for once) and had a blast being that couple who was just standing around making fun of everyone else...... to date, we don't do much warm-up before races....we stretch. and laugh. a lot. I think it's better to be stress-free before a race, than to be all wound up and uuber-focused. I like my running to be fun.....
The first 2 miles were pretty fast and un-exciting (in a good way) the 3rd mile felt comfortable, and mile 4 wasn't too bad. mile 5 was. it was bad. There were hills. Not just hills, but I think Valpo had mountains shipped in and delivered to mile 5. awful. The finish was uphill, and a long, steep hill at that (now, don't go to Valpo looking for these hills, they had them removed immediately after we ran up them) I never thought we were gonna finish -- it was really tough. Chris darted by me at the exact finish, and he found his strong finish and nailed it! I just kept putzing my way up killer hill, and eventually crossed the finish line. After a quick drink, I felt amazing. I just ran 5 miles. Competitively. Wow -- what a rush!
Chris finished in 45m44s and I finished in 45m45s... what a close race!
But, if I just did 5 miles, what could be next................
We arrived in Valpo on race morning feeling pretty nervous, we had a good idea what roads would be included (we are NOT the nerds who study and analyze the course maps --- gets our minds out of whack) and the roads we were thinking of were quite hilly..... this is no good for us, because we live in the flattest part of the universe. can't hill train in Wheatfield. period.
We had plenty of time (for once) and had a blast being that couple who was just standing around making fun of everyone else...... to date, we don't do much warm-up before races....we stretch. and laugh. a lot. I think it's better to be stress-free before a race, than to be all wound up and uuber-focused. I like my running to be fun.....
The first 2 miles were pretty fast and un-exciting (in a good way) the 3rd mile felt comfortable, and mile 4 wasn't too bad. mile 5 was. it was bad. There were hills. Not just hills, but I think Valpo had mountains shipped in and delivered to mile 5. awful. The finish was uphill, and a long, steep hill at that (now, don't go to Valpo looking for these hills, they had them removed immediately after we ran up them) I never thought we were gonna finish -- it was really tough. Chris darted by me at the exact finish, and he found his strong finish and nailed it! I just kept putzing my way up killer hill, and eventually crossed the finish line. After a quick drink, I felt amazing. I just ran 5 miles. Competitively. Wow -- what a rush!
Chris finished in 45m44s and I finished in 45m45s... what a close race!
But, if I just did 5 miles, what could be next................
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