Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Great Island 5K

Did I know in the morning if I was going to run or not?

No!

I had a breakfast that included a muffin and glazed doughnut, not exactly pre race food.
I didn't drink my coffee to "take care of business" before a race.

When we got there more than an hour early it was already crowded.  It was a GORGEOUS day - hot for a race but nice!  It was a beautiful setting and we had plenty of time to explore.

We had time to pose for an artist's picture.
We had time to see the lighthouse and walk down to the water's edge.  There was time to sit on a bench.



We picked up our numbers and hat, a nice change from a shirt. (below the number)
At this point I still didn't know if I was running or walking.   (Everyone told me they knew I would run but I didn't know, truly.) I was changing my mind constantly. Then I took a short little run that felt good and my mind was made up. I was going to run.
The next pictures were taken as I was running. My friend, S, who raced also seemed to find it hilarious that I was taking pictures as I ran.  Must be she doesn't have a blog!




This part became very shaded and felt great!

We are done and feeling great!

I always love racing on the ocean and this race certainly satisfied that requirement. It was great to run with friends on such a gorgeous day.  I was pleased with my time.   Hard parts - You really had to weave through the crowd in the beginning.   There were a lot of little kids running which is fine but I never quite trust I am not going to get taken out by one!  

My splits were:
8:51
9:23
9:09
8:22 (.14)

My overall pace was 9:06.  I was 500/1186 and 29 out of 98 in my age group. I am always pleased when I am in the top half of a race.  The food was fine, not as good as I remember from earlier years. The race had starting and finishing mats which I am not at all used to in a 5K or many races for that matter. I loved knowing my net time.
This was a perfect post race snack.

We had a long drive home again but stopped at both a Target and an LL Bean outlet.  I got a new watch I have been needing and some $10 jeans that I like.  This was a hurried get away but very fun. Lots and lots and lots of laughing!

I am going to close with the above. We saw it
on the side of the road and I turned around
to take it.  
(From the comments so far not sure everyone gets that Irene is Hurricane Irene
that destroyed so much of Vermont - not someone's wife or something!)




25 comments:

Marlene said...

Congrats on the 5K. Of COURSE you ran. :) What a beauty day for a race!

Char said...

I'm going to spend the day wondering who Irene is and why she deserves such disdain.

HappyTrails said...

We loved the "Irene" pic - too funny!
I told Steve we need to put one out in our front yard! Really!!! He said you waffling about running or walking was just to add some blog drama. Hee,hee, hee! We KNOW you would race b/c that's just how you roll - a racing machine! Gorgeous pics, as always. And where is your hat or visor??? You always have a hat, visor, or helmet on!!! Loved your lovely race ensemble, as well. :-)

Jill said...

I love the "Irene" pic...can't believe my kids haven't done that to our yard yet. Nice job on the run, girl...I know it's hard not to when you're at a race. Glad to hear all went well!! :)

Teamarcia said...

Yay for racing! How could you not? I am loving your skirt. Need to know more about it.

Kate Geisen said...

You're getting faster and faster. And your pictures are beautiful. You have such cool places to race.

My friends now expect me to take pictures, and several of them are bloggers or at least blog fans which is great bc they're all about taking pictures. In my last race, though, I got some grief for talking on the phone. :) My husband didn't realize we were still running and called, and since he was taking care of money stuff for the new car, I didn't want to not answer and have him needing information.

Amanda@runninghood said...

I've got to get some pumpkins to make my own "Irene"...well, maybe that might not be appreciated by our culdesac neighbors but I love it! Nice job!

Fran said...

What a great race, glad that you were able to run it and great result: congrats.

I love that last picture, made me laugh. Wonder how Irene reacted to it :)

misszippy said...

Love that closing picture! And I think I need to do that race--how scenic! Nice run, and glad it was a run, too.

Anne said...

Let's just say, I'm not shocked that you ran :) Congrats!!! You did great! Wonderful pics and of course, I love the mooning Irene photo :)

Kandi said...

I can't say I'm surprised that you ran! Great job. I hope you didn't aggrevate anything by running.
Gorgeous pictures from that race. I hope that made up at least a little for missing out on PD.

middleagedrunner said...

Nice job- and what a BEAUTIFUL race!
I liked the Irene scarecrow too- that really cracked me up. :-)
It's always the right choice to run a 5K because you get done so much faster than if you had walked!

Tara said...

Look at you! Congratulations on your race!
I do the same thing on race days, always going back and forth with the whole: "Am I going to run or not?" and I usually end up running.

Love the pumpkin butt pic. Too funny. :)

Katie said...

Congratulations! And that last picture, ha!

Johann said...

I certainly never thought you wouldn't run. Well done, you did great! I have some people laugh at me at nearly every race where I take pictures while running. Irene deserves that.

Darlene said...

Congrats on a nice race. of course, you ran it. Hope your heel didn't suffer.

RunToTheFinish said...

HA! that is one of the best sign/displays i've seen.

glad you ended up having such a great day...really with friends run or walk it's all good

Richelle said...

What a gorgeous day for a race! I figured you would run it. :-D Congrats!

Molly said...

Great job speedy!! The course sounds beautiful!

Lindsay said...

Glad you decided to run and felt good! Those non-bloggers, who understands them anyway... :)

Anonymous said...

You said you were racing and when I checked earlier it didn't look like you did! :) Glad you did and had fun. Love Irene! too funny!

Velma said...

That is pretty speedy for someone who didn't know if they were going to run!

Black Knight said...

I would like to race in a place like that! Great pictures.
Good job on the race, congrats!

Amy said...

Congratulations on the race - I have to say I am not surprised you ran, and so glad it went well! Looks like the weather is just fabulous in your neck of the woods these days - enjoy!

The Jesse said...

congrats on your race! i love the pumpkin photo. there is a house in my neighborhood that has a similar pumpkin scarecrow up in their yard too :)