Sunday, May 8, 2011

All for Me!

Sat evening, the hubby and I headed to Houma, LA to run a 5k @ 6:00pm.  While I spent most of my day, catching up on blogs, twitter, TV, reading a book, resting up for my evening 5k,  my honey was at work.  He worked, rushed home, took a shower and sat down on the couch.  About the time he was about to doze off, I announce it's time to leave.  He LOVES  ME! 
He was able to get a quick nap on the way.
As we set out, YOU KNOW that I QUICKLY notice the temp.  78 degrees!  We have a quick conversation, my typical , hot and humid chatter, but the bright side ..... at least it's cloudy.   So as the hubby fades off to dream land, 15 minutes into the drive, the sun pops out BRIGHT, and the clouds quickly fade away.  By the time we arrive in Houma, we gain another 2 degrees.   It's around 80 degrees at race time, but the humidity is not as bad as it typically is in South LA.  Always a BRIGHT SIDE!

My last 5k was 3 weeks ago, and the starting temp was around 63-65 degrees.  Since then I have "tried" to focus on heat training, but this spring has been unique for us.   Back in Feb., we had some unusually warm weather, and lately we've had unusual cool fronts (great for EVERYTHING but heat training, and Dufrene's Guide Service ).  As my luck with racing goes, the cool fronts have come when I'm trying to train to acclimate to heat for racing.  Whatever....

As noted, I've been trying to do better with "REALITY."  In the last 5k, I averaged 7:39 pace.  So today, typically, I would have rationalized that I have 3 additional weeks of 5k training behind me, so for this race, I should try for 7:30-7:35 avg pace, totally ignoring the heat of the day.  15 - 17 degrees is huge for me, especially when I haven't been racing at that temp.   Today,   I decided to try to go out around 7:40-7:45, adjusting for the heat, before the heat adjusted for me.  

The last race my hubby met me around mile 1, or maybe 1.5, and ran the rest of the way with me.  That's the first time he's joined me for that much of the race.  Today, he surprised me when he decided to register for the race, and run the 5k with me.  Wow!   I don't think he has EVER run a race "for fun".  Fun for him, I would be "racing."

Around mile 1, we were entertained by a guy running off of the course, grabbing a beer, chugging it, and then returning to the race.   We laugh about it, and I tell my hubby, "see what you've been missing?"  (he's always been in the lead pack, all out racing)  We're at 7:42 pace.  I'm actually feeling strong.  I can feel the training paying off.  Today, I feel stronger through mile one at 80 degrees, than I felt 3 wks ago at 65 degrees (7:38 first mile 3 weeks ago).  Progress, not by time, but by feel.  The positive -  I'm happy that mile 1 was close to the same mile 1 from 3 wks ago, when the temp was better. 

Even at mile 2, I feel stronger than I did just 3 weeks ago.  Mile 2 - 7:39

During the last mile, hubby points out "pigtail" girl up ahead.  Hubby is really competitive, Ginny is not! (except with HER personal times)  I REALLY wish I had  some of that competitive drive to BEAT people.  I know it would help my 5k times.  

I know HE really wants me to get her, I really want to run as fast as I can, so, I try.  He points out that she's probably, only, 20 years younger than I am.  I'm thinking, EXACTLY!  I'm not out here to compete with 20 year olds.  I did "get her."  Turns out, she's a 40 year old pigtail lady.  Which reminds me, maybe I will wear pigtails.  They make you look really young, from the back, for sure.  Ha!

Obviously, the last mile hurt.  I thought we maintained the pace, and maybe even picked it up, but upon review, the last mile was 7:52.

So I ended the May 7th 5k at 23:57.  Last night, I was disappointed with mile 3,  but today is a new day, and this is what I think about the race today.  

April 16th 23:31 5k- 7:38, 7:32, 7:48, :32 Garmin 3.08  63-65 degrees and strong wind 
May 7th  23:57  5K- 7:42, 7:39, 7:52,  :43 Garmin 3.10  80 degrees, mild wind in the last mile.

Most interesting stat:  April 16th @ 65 degrees  May 7th @ 80 degrees
Average Heart Rate   -   165                             168
Max. Heart Rate        -   173                             176
(the creep begins)

*I'm 1 week, post half marathon.

*temp.

*I had some good "signs" during this race that I think will show themselves as I'm able to acclimate to the heat and humidity.  

* I can be in denial, or I can continue to acknowledge, the 3 lbs. gained after the Snickers marathon, in March. It DEFINITELY has an impact on my racing.  So, I can either continue to race with the extra lbs., or I can choose to do something about it. (broken record - sorry)  It is a CHOICE! 

*not only did I get the pigtail lady, we "got" the beer guy too.

I have 3 weeks of training until my next 5k.  I'm sure I will have ample opportunities to train for the heat.  (May is typically WARM in South MS and LA)   I'm excited as this personal challenge moves forward.  As the heat increases, the challenge for 5k improvement increases, but I'm enjoying the challenge.  

The blog title.... 
All For Me! 
  Today, I'm pretty sure, my hubby ran his PW (personal worst).  
He did that for me!
(after a long day at work)




Chad's sister and brother-in-law were at the race and we were able to chat, and have dinner with them after the race.  It was nice to see them, and have family at the race.    Andy came in 2nd in his age group, and ran a fast time, 21:33.  This is his 2nd race after many years of zero running.    Happy he is back at it! 

 dang it!  after, over a year of work, I still have high arms and thumbs up
when I get tired, argh.....



...saying a little prayer that I finish this race without a heart attack :)
Chad (hubby) in the white shirt running, oh so comfy




15 comments:

Petraruns said...

How sweet of your husband to run this race with you - and you are doing GREAT on your 5ks now. Well done - those are enviable paces, especially in those temps, adjusting for reality. Nice work!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Nice finishing time, esp. in the heat! Like the heart!

misszippy said...

How nice of your husband...a good man! Sounds like you are getting stronger every day and that's just about as good as it gets!

Gracie said...

Aw, so cute you ran it together. I've never raced with my hubby because I'm too mean! I'd be harassing him and berating him for his pace. Even if we just go for a run together I keep trying to get him to speed up!

HappyTrails said...

How cool to have your hubby pace you!!! Maybe he can pace you at the next one??? Nice job on chasing down Pigtail Girl and Beer Man especially in the heat and late in the day - I am definitely a morning runner. I still can't fathom how you girls run in that oppressive heat and humidity. Have a great week!

Jill said...

Oooo, I don't think I have ever seen your hubby...nice to see you, Chad! :)

I know I sound like a broken record but I am not sure how you handle that heat and humidity....but it's a matter of will and you will acclimate to it because there is no choice not to.

Nice job honing in on pigtail girl and you definitely would look adorable in them - you must wear some one day!!! :)

Jenn said...

Ha ha Ginny-you crack me up! "Hubby is really competitive, Ginny is not" Ha! Also, we really are sisters because I have that visor and I'm also pretty tall. Both definite signs of sisterhood. Also, I have 3 children who I ADORE but I had zero intentions of having any. Oldest of 6 kids and no desire. My mom even made me sign and date a paper stating this and put it in my keepsake box. TINY accident. One child led to 2 and then 3 and ALL is GREAT but I totally respect your decision on what is right for you on that front!

Great job on the race! I ran in 60 degrees on Saturday and I felt like I was in a sauna by the end. I have NO idea how you run in that crap! AWESOME of your hubby to pace you. I should use mine more but I can be such a witch when he runs with me..... The unconditional love regardless thing just brings out my "inner snag" and I totally rag the whole time that he's going too fast or whatever.....Poor guy-such a great supporter of me and I pay him back with swearwords and arm punches-ha!

Again, great job on the sweltering race! Get those pigtails ready for the next one:)

Null said...

Way to beat the heat! I'd call this a win. Performance declines about 7% for every 10 degrees over 65. That's awesome your hubby runs too.

I'm really excited to see how your 5k experiment develops. I'm convinced I've maxed out my 5k abilities. It would give me hope that it is possible to get faster with focused training.

Raquelita said...

Your hubs sounds pretty awesome! I'm impressed that you had such a good race in the heat without having much chance to get acclimated to it over the past few weeks.

RunToTheFinish said...

i adore that I can get D to some races with me now, it has to be more fun than spectating is what I keep telling him :)

I say it was a darn good race right after a half!

Johann said...

Great run, well done! Yay for running together, that is just perfect! I always run on feel. No watch looking for me during a run ever. I'm sure the next 5k will be a really good one. Keep it going!

Bethany + Ryan said...

Yay for running together! shhh, but I've had a lot of personal worsts running with Ryan, but I wouldn't change it for the world! Running together is way more important than some silly time! Nice job. My time would have been at least 28 minutes if it were 80 degrees!! You are one tough cookie!

chris mcpeake said...

nice running way to go. The heat can make it a real grind out there

Chris K said...

How did I miss this RR. Great one. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Your husband cracks me up. Really cool that he ran with you. See, all guys hate to get chicked. I ran my first 5k ever today. I thought it would suck, but it didn't.

Teamarcia said...

How fun to race with your hubs! Great job in the heat. I'm hoping to see a 23 sometime this year...