Ryan's Reindeer 5k

So I decided last minute, and I mean last minute, to actually roll out of bed Saturday morning, for the third year in a row, to do Ryan's Reindeer 5k. Meh...it's just a 5k.

The race start was 8:30 and I got up at about 7:15, still undecided. Of course I had to take a poll on my facebook page (big mistake) and it was nearly unanimous that I should get my rear out of bed and race. So I did. I wasn't really looking forward to it since all my friends were busy. It is a busy time of year after all.  I was almost to the race site when I was stopped. I had to wait for a stupid train that came to a complete stop. I thought I was going to miss the race. After waiting about 5 minutes I decided to find another way...surely there was another way!

And there was!!  So I rolled up to the race and registered with about 10 minutes to spare. It was cold but not freezing like last year, so I left my jacket in the car.

While waiting to register a short, cute blonde chick cut me in line. I almost punched her in the back of the head....then I realized it was my friend Andrea and The Heezie!  For the record, I would never punch anyone in the back of the head for cutting in line. That would be really mean. I was so excited to see them and to not be racing solo. Last year at this race The Heezie paced me to a 5k PR. I knew it wouldn't happen this year.  I had a plan to chillax, just run, you know like out for a short Sunday stroll, on Saturday....

This race is actually a fairly difficult 5k in my opinion. The first half mile is uphill. It is a pretty significant uphill at that. Once the race started I still had plans of just lopping along. It was crowded and I had started near the back with a lot of walkers, dogs on leash, kids in strollers with adults, and just other little kids who like to weave in and out and get under your feet. But once I got to the top of the hill the crowd has thinned a bit and I was warmed up and felt like going just a bit faster. Not to mention up the hill and turn then there is a nice quarter mile downhill. So down I went....then up again.  Just before the 1 mile mark the road levels out a bit with only smaller ups and downs. At the turnaround I was going at a pretty good pace. I'm not sure what it was but it was certainly under 8:30. Once I made it up the steep quarter mile hill to round the corner toward the home stretch I was feeling a bit queasy...but I was almost done. Half a mile down down down.....This is where this race always gets me. It is a fast finish and sometimes I am just not supposed to run that fast. The last half mile was under a 7 min pace....and I had to work hard at not throwing up my breakfast. Gross. My time was ok...I'm not sure exactly what it was but it was 26 something. Certainly not a PR but it certainly could have been had I started out with that as a goal and not been near the back (gun start). My first mile was over 9 minutes. That killed my pace.

I'm glad I got out of bed to run.

So what's next? I need to start working on my 2013 plan....