One And Done? & the Spartan Race Winner!

Today's topic for TOTR really spoke to me...in a way that made me laugh! I've never been a "one and done" runner. I never even said it about my first marathon. I knew that no matter how it went, I'd want to run at least two.

I'm joining Erika and the ladies for TOTR!

But really, I was tickled by this topic because I'm notorious for running the same races over and over again. I have so many duplicate bibs and medals from local races - especially 5ks - because I just love a familiar, nearby course! Here are some notable repeats in no particular order (all the race recaps can be found on My Races page):

Sanibel Race for FISH 10k. This is my favorite 10k and I've run it four years in a row. I plan to run it again this year and I'll be dragging Elizabeth along as well. The course is beautiful and always a joy to run. This is my most-often repeated race because they've never changed anything about it and the date (early October) is always easy for me to fit into my schedule.

My PR is on this course and I hope to break it here again this year.

Race the Roof 8k/15k. This race is absolutely gorgeous. It winds through lots of vegetation and over boardwalks. The inaugural year they offered a 5k and 8k, and after that they bumped the 8k to a 15k. I missed it in 2014 and 2015 because they don't advertise registration very well and I always miss it, but I plan to repeat it a third time this fall.

The Fast and the Furriest 5k. This was the first race I ever ran alone. I loved that the course was the same as the Race for the Cure course, so I knew it really well and could plan my strategy by it. I ran it the next year with my friend Kim, who drove over from the other coast to visit and run it with me, and that's another reason this race has such good memories for me. They moved it in 2014 and now it's too far for me to drive for a 5k, so I don't run it anymore, but I'll always think of it fondly.

A1A half/marathon. When I ran this half in 2015, it was on my birthday and I was getting over some sickness. I was surprised by how strong I felt and how much I enjoyed the entire course. Obviously I returned this year and surprised myself (and everyone else) by running the full. Again, I loved every step of the course. I'm debating going back next year for logistical reasons, but this is definitely one I like to repeat.

ALSO Youth Turkey Trot. I really loved this race when it was a 10k, but when they got rid of the 10k option I ran the 5k once and lost my love for it. Running over a HUGE bridge twice in a 5k is just too much to ask of me; I'm not against running it, but it hasn't been a priority for me over the last couple years. I do love the cause it supports, though, so I hope they bring back the 10k option eventually.

Shark's Tooth 10k. The Shark's Tooth is a 10k I've run more than once but probably won't run again. Last year it was just too hot! The first time I ran it was as the last race in a series challenge, and it was fairly cool out and a nice race. The next year, it was downright brutally hot. I wish it weren't an April race because the course is lovely and the medal is cute, but there's no shade during the entire 10k and the start time is after sunrise, so it's just too hot for me to truly enjoy.

Pretty course...but no shade at all! In April in Florida, that's a deal-breaker.

These factors make me want to repeat a race: location, cost, swag, and my own personal experience on the course. If I had a magical time out there, I'll probably be back for the next one!

PS: The winner of the FREE entry to the Spartan Race is my good friend Montana! I know that seems improbable, but I used Rafflecopter to generate a random winner, so who am I to argue?!

I know the race entry is going to someone who will really use it, so that's good news, too :)

Are you a "one and done" racer?
What is a race you like to do every year?
What factors win over your race loyalty?

ABK

Race the Roof 15k

Last year, this race was an 8k that took us through a beautifully landscaped neighborhood and over scenic boardwalks. This year, runners were given the choice between a 5k and 15k, and I happily jumped on the opportunity to run a new race distance.

One of the women on my Ragnar team, Sarah, was also running this race. We carpooled, and when we got out at the venue, we were both reluctant to take our warmup shirts off...The temperature has finally dropped to autumn levels! It was 63 this morning pre-race, and topped out at 72 when we were finished.

That's what I call perfect race weather!

I was happy to get a little jog in before the start time; my legs have been leaden this week from the 10k last weekend and the start of volleyball, and my 3.6 miler on Wednesday was brutal. This morning, though, after intense rolling therapy all week, my legs felt fantastic. I felt ready for this race from the moment we got there.

The crowd waiting to start.

Sarah and I started out by Sean, another friend who is super fast, but knew we wouldn't be running "together". Sarah is the one who placed 3rd in her AG in the 10k last weekend.

Anyway, I found a nice easy pace early on. I watched others pass me and smiled a little, completely aware that by mile 3 many of them would be burned out. I kept to my pace and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery. I even took a picture - while running - along one of the boardwalks. It was just too pretty not to!

I didn't even have to stop to take it. Check out that gorgeous view!

This was the first race that allowed me to use my new fueling habits. I wore my Nathan fuelbelt and packed it with lemon Gu Chomps, gum, and chapstick. Because I wasn't sure about the exact location of the water stops, I took my first two chomps at mile 3.

The belt felt like I wasn't even wearing it; it stayed in place and was easy to handle.

I really hit my stride around mile 4. I just felt like it was time to ramp up the speed a little. Sure enough, I was soon passing many of the runners I had watched speed by me in the first mile or two.

I ate another chomp at mile 5. I waved and said "thank you" and "good morning" to all the volunteers. I was happily distracted along the entire route by the gorgeous views as the sun began to peak above the trees.

This is seriously one of the most beautiful races I've ever run, hands down. The route was much improved from last year; somehow, even adding 7k to the distance, they avoided that long stretch of road I remembered hating last time. We looped along neighborhood streets (I saw one woman in her bathrobe come out to get the paper as we passed) and ran along paths bordering lakes, fields, and the golf course.

I began to tire out around mile 7.5. It's hard for me to mentally keep myself going when I know I'm almost done. (Just something else to work on this year.) But at this point, it was too late to eat another chomp. So I just tucked in and kept going.

Around mile 8.5 I was tailing two young women in pink. We were alone on the course for awhile; I was the caboose. But something sparked as we made a turn off the road onto more boardwalk, and suddenly I was flying.

I overtook the two girls...to the point that they weren't even in my hindsight as I looked back. The last stretch from 8.5 to 9 was completely empty of volunteers and runners. I thought maybe I had gotten lost...I've never been completely and totally alone during a race!

But I didn't dare stop, in case one of the pink girls caught me. Finally I saw a volunteer, who directed me at the turn. (I wasn't off course, just uniquely timed I guess.) The last two boardwalks were heaven for my legs. I pounded around the final turn, burst through a copse of trees, and raced to the finish.

The clock was ticking 1:34:xx and in that moment I wanted to beat 1:35. I cranked it out and gave it my all at the finish, coming in at 1:34:49. As this is my only 15k, it's an automatic PR.

Success!

My pace was faster than last weekend's 10k, and considering the extra distance, I'm really happy with that. I successfully maintained a steady pace and saw negative splits in the second half of the run. I even ran miles 7 and 8 at a sub-10 pace!

Sean getting his medal, and us afterward, with our bling! (I really enjoy the banana peel I haven't bothered to throw away yet...I guess I was holding onto it for sentimental reasons.)

I found Sean after the finish; he placed 3rd in his AG! We walked over to breakfast together; this race always sponsors a great spread. Sarah's husband and kids had come to cheer her on, and she was playing with them at the swings in the park. (Have I mentioned yet that this venue is perfect for racing for a million reasons?) She had placed 2nd in her AG! (Remember, this is only her third race ever.)

I was too short to get a picture of Sarah getting her medal, but here she is showing it off!

This was one of those races that will easily top my favorites list. It has restored my faith in my ability to run long distances. It gave me the opportunity to practice fueling at a race. (I need to perfect my strategy.) I smiled during the entire race and just felt absolutely great.

Post-race exuberance! (My fuelbelt is doing a great job giving me that Steve Urkel look I was going for.)

Another milestone from today? I got my first blister. I know, I know...4 years of running and no blisters? I've been lucky. Next time I'll remember the Body Glide.

I'll never again take for granted the effects of beautiful surroundings and cooler weather!

ABK

Race the Roof 8k

I cannot get over the drastic change in weather we've been seeing! Something about the chilly air in the morning really sets me up for feeling confident about my race.

Our course for the 8k

Saturday, I ran the Race the Roof 8k. There were a million wonderful things setting this up to be an awesome experience: the race proceeds went to Habitat for Humanity, which is a cause I actually care about; the course took us through the paths and boardwalks of a gorgeous gated community; and my sister came up to run the race with us, to name a few!

This week, volleyball started. I coach the girls team at my school, so I've been doing all kinds of squats, jumps, and lunges with the girls. Needless to say, my quads have been killing me this week. This made me a bit nervous, but K and I had run an easy 2.5 the evening before race-day, so I knew I could run through the pain. Plus, since using my new foam roller and breaking in my new Kayanos, my legs and knees have felt truly awesome.

The race started out nicely except for a couple snags. We didn't have time to do a warm-up lap, so we started out a little stiff. Also, even though I used the bathroom twice before we ran, I had to pee within the first mile, and the feeling didn't go away until mile 3 or so. It was distracting, but I couldn't bring myself to peel off and pop a squat, so I just dealt with it; I do think it messed with my pace early on.

We actually got a shot running together!

 M and I ran the first couple miles together, keeping a nice mid-9 pace. As usual, I kept an eye on a few people running around/near us, and took particular note of Man in Orange Shirt, Man with Dog, and a couple who looked familiar from previous 5ks. S (my sister) had fallen behind us a bit, but at a corner turn at the 2-mile mark, I was able to catch her eye and wave, so I knew she was doing well. There was something exhilarating and satisfying about knowing my sister was running this race with us. There is something really rewarding in that. I know that those of you with siblings will kind of get it; finding something you both love and can really bond over together - something that is good for you - is indescribable.

The course was so beautiful, M took a pic while running!

M took off ahead of me at that point, and I ran the rest of the race pretty much alone. For the most part, it was an easy and beautiful course. We ran through tree-lined golf cart paths and over perfectly springy boardwalks. The foliage and slow sunrise made for a gorgeous ambiance. There was a stretch of road around mile 4 where there weren't many trees, and that was my hardest spot. The wind was intense; I had to cup a hand over my mouth so I could breathe. (I've always had trouble with headwinds; it's one reason I don't love rollercoasters.) It was at this point that a few runners who had been tailing me were able to overtake me, but I just told myself to relax and be true to my pace. I only had about a mile to go.

After this stretch, which only lasted about half a mile, we were back on the community streets with houses blocking the wind, and I was feeling great. I still wasn't experiencing knee pain, and my feet felt like they've never felt before. No fatigue, no tingles, no aches. I came to a second boardwalk with about half a mile to go, and it was here - with a nice change in terrain and the slight bounce of the boards - that I got my second wind. I was able to overtake Man in Orange Shirt with almost no effort.

K, me, and S pre-race

At the last tenth, K was waiting for me with her daughter. She called out, "It's a blind finish; you're almost there!" and that, as usual, got my sprint going. I passed a couple (the same I passed at the Dr. Piper race at the finish) and forced myself to catch up with Man With Dog just as we neared the finish line. He gave a laugh as he saw me coming, and I laughed back as he picked up his pace as well. I nearly cackled when I crossed the finish line, I was so proud of that final performance. We finished neck-and-neck; I wanted to thank him for the extra motivation, but I was too embarrassed.

My finishing time was 48:05 and my goal was 50 minutes or less, so I'm really pleased! I'm happy to see that I've been able to hold a steady, fast pace (for me) for the last few races. This is our last scheduled race before the Half on Nov. 18, so I'm glad it was a good one.

As far as placing goes, I was 87/154 overall, 40/88 women, 8/14 in my age division. Pretty average, but that's not surprising.  If anything, I'm once more showing my consistency.

S came in right behind me, just a dozen seconds later. She had been able to run the whole thing and felt good. It was a successful day for everyone!

This was also a good race because of the festivities afterward. K's daughter R ran in the tot-trot. She was definitely the youngest out there, but no one can resist a tiny toddler running her hardest, and she won the most high-fives and a ribbon, which she is very proud to display in her room. (M and I babysat for her last night, and she wanted to show me where she had hung the ribbon - she's sure to follow in K's footsteps!) There was a delicious breakfast buffet afterward, raffle prizes, and pumpkin painting. We stayed for some of the events and then headed home, happily revisiting moments from the race.

All the runners post-race.

I think it took me too long to warm up for this distance. I still prefer the 10k, but you rarely see an 8k so I'm glad we did it. Now it's back to real training as the Half looms less than a month away. I'm trying not to let my head get cloudy with nerves. No matter what, it will be more successful than my first, and I just have to remember that I'm not competing with anyone but myself. This isn't about friends and their times and their accomplishments; it's about me.

And right now, I'm feeling pretty damn good.

ABK