Wow! 2 Loopettes at the same race! We will meet one day!

My friend H has been trying to get me to race more. He's convinced that I'm way faster than I think I am.

I hemmed and hawed about signing up for this 5k because it was only 2 weeks after the marathon. After the marathon I've been having some left calf pain/tightness. I think it's just fatigue so have been trying to give it some time to heal without completely sitting myself down (*shudder*).

I ran fast on the trails with H on the Wednesday before the Saturday race. Meant to keep it easy but he's fast so I think I didn't want to look slow. (Facepalm)

I tried running Thursday but the calf wouldn't have it - went to CrossFit. Friday I took a complete rest day and prayed it would magically heal up.

Saturday morning my friend N and I drove to the race together. As SandiBeach said it was cold and windy! The race was held in the southernmost point of NJ along the beach. 

We got there in plenty of time to pick up our bibs from the LRS. As I was walking down the street I saw so many people I knew! All the different groups that I've run with were there -- NJ Shore Run, South Jersey Runners, Run Vineland and the Wild Harbor  Tri Club. I kid you not my name was called out so many times I felt like I knew everyone!

South Jersey Runners:

I did a little out and back to test my calf. It was grumpy. I had stretched and rolled it and stretched it some more. I figured my race wasn't going to go well because I can't hurt myself with another marathon on May 23rd. I stood on the curb talking to H and N and stretched some more. N and I walked back to the car to drop off our warm clothing. At 8:29 I decided to hit the POP one last time so I kept my sweatshirt on. As I was in the POP line I thought the 10k which was starting at 8:30 was lining up. The LRS employee was walking to the start and said, "Aren't rolling starts the best? You don't have to worry about not being able to use the bathroom in time."

Me: "?? Isn't the 5k starting at 8:40?"

LRS: "No, the governor allowed more people to gather so everyone is going at once. Great, right?"

Me: "Ummmmm, NO! I don't know the route!"

I hurried and did my business. Ran to N's car and threw my sweatshirt. Yelled to N and H about the mass start. We were all starting from the rear and playing catch up!

The race went to the south first (into the wind), then inland, south, back to the ocean and then headed north (wind at our backs) before turning for 8/10 of a mile into a really, really strong headwind to the finish line.

I caught up to the rear of the pack as we headed inland and had to play dodge and weave. I caught my one friend K for a couple of steps. At this point H had taken to the sidewalk and was busting a move. He yelled out to K, but says he didn't see me. Interesting because my hot pink shorts don't really blend in. LOL

We turned the corner and headed south again and I was hoofing it the best I could. I cut past a few people as we turned the corner to head back towards the beach. I knew once we made the left and headed north along the beach that the wind would be at our backs. Mile 1 chimed in at 7:13.

I was moving well and felt good about my pace. The calf was not giving me any issue. Wahoo! With the wind at my back I tried to settle in and not push too hard because I knew I needed to save something for the windfest that awaited in the last mile. Mile 2 7:08. I saw H as he was heading towards the finish line and yelled to him.

We ran down to a cone in the middle of the street and made a U-turn to head for home on the Promenade. I saw one of the guys that ran Tidewater 2 weeks ago close on my heels. I willed myself to not slow down. The wind was just killing me. When you look at my splits you would think I was dying. It was 100% wind - I was dying but in a 5k sort of way. Lol.

The bummer about the last 8/10 of a mile was that I was running solo. Not a soul in front of me to try to catch. As I got closer to the finish line H was yelling "Pick it up! How bad do you wat that PR?"

Me: Evil glare. Lol This is literally ALL I have! 

Mile 3 - 7:39

I did pick it up slightly for the last .14 miles (a little long - weaving? Everyone's watch said 3.14/3.15) to a 7:22 pace.

Set a new shiny PR of 22:59! (Old PR was a 24:01 - I feel a little bad about totally skipping over the 23s..... but not really.) H finished in 19:07 and N finished in 29:24 (1st run back since a meniscus repair that has taken forever to heal)

It didn't seem that anyone was hanging around so N and I hopped in the car and headed out before we got cold.

My friend C asked if we'd won anything. I was like "Hmmm, let me check...." And then's when I found out I'd placed 3rd overall and had won a $25 gift card. I called H and asked him to grab it. Guess I should start checking results before I leave. This is the second time a guy friend has picked up my award. LOL

Calf update: It's still an a$$. Ugh