5th race in 2011: 3/26/2011, AZ Road Racers South Mountain Classic 5K, Phoenix, AZ.
Well, I had planned to run the 20K; I even signed up before Geyer! Shortly after I signed up, I arranged for Saturday bus transportation for the LCK Cross Country team and asked another teacher to chaperone the students running the 5K while I was running the 20K race. The kids filled out their paperwork and they were officially registered for the FREE race. But the bum foot changed everything for me! See previous post when Dr. H. trampled all over my dream to finish in 1:30!!
So instead, on this beautiful, perfectly cool Saturday morning, five (5) students and I met early at the school and took off in the bus at 6:45 A.M. We arrived with plenty of time before the start. I ran the Lincoln YMCA Half Marathon last October so I was familiar with the layout and the parking was plentiful. I had talked with Jeff around 6:30 so I hoped to see him before the 20K started at 7:30. James parked the bus, we walked to the registration area to pick up our race bibs and Melissa (teacher), James (bus driver) and I attached race bibs to front of shirts and looped timing chips through shoelaces. I kept looking for Jeff -- no luck yet and it was almost 7:30. The kids needed a potty break and then we ran into each other. He looked excited, full of Bieber-fever and I was teary-eyed inside. :( Anyway, the 20K started and Jeff took off. James took a few pictures and then shot a quick, candid, hilarious video of the team before 5K started.
We took off along this open course with a gradual incline until the turnaround. As usual, the students sprinted out of the gate and I was advised to walk. It was strange to walk at the back of the pack. Luckily my foot did well and I had my music player to keep me moving! I was able to walk at a decent clip and passed a few people...that felt good. As I headed up the last hill before the turnaround, Christopher passed me coming down the hill and he looked great, a nice pace. Melissa passed me shortly after, followed by Frank and Carlos. Carlos had shoelace troubles, otherwise he would have been closer to Chris. Now I was just waiting to meet the last 2 students, the extremely social girls on the team! I saw them at the top of the hill, they were winded and rejoiced at walking with me for the second half. At one point, they told me, "You walk too fast!" Hilarious!! We got to the last stretch, with maybe 0.1 mile to the finish line, and I was itching to run. Our teammates were waiting on the sidelines and I encouraged the girls to run it in. I finished in 50 minutes, 19 out of 20 in my age group, definitely my worst race though injured, but 1 second faster than the 12yo on our team! Then we enjoyed the FREE snacks (including oreos and soda at a race...WTF?) and also watched other people finish their race. I ran into Derek, a really fast runner/hiker, after he finished the 20K in 1:37...ridiculous!
We ate while we waited for race results to be posted. Christopher finished in 29:27, Melissa 34:23, Frank 39:10, Carlos 39:40, and the girls with me. Christopher finished 7 minutes faster than the February race...such a gifted runner and only in 6th grade! Despite the injury, a fun day. :D
Showing posts with label 5K. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5K. Show all posts
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Walk in the Wild 5K 2011
4th race in 2011: 2/19/2011, Walk in the Wild 5K at Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, AZ.
I found another race for the LCK Cross Country team. Though the ARR race was free, the transportation cost tapped out our measly budget. This time the kids had to pay for the race. The entry fee was only $10 for children and it included admission to the zoo after the race so a sweet deal! I arranged for parents to drop off the kids at the Zoo and asked another teacher to help chaperone the group. I signed up for this race even though my foot problem from the previous Saturday was worsening instead of improving. I ran/walked about 7.5 miles during the week but my foot hurt pretty good when running. :(
It was another chilly, dark morning to start a race, with the added threat of rain. Seven (7) students and I met in front of the rabbit's statue by the School Entrance, with plenty of time before the start. I had picked up the T-shirts and race bibs a couple of days before. That made it easier -- no waiting in line! So Elisa (parent), Melissa (teacher) and I attached race bibs to front of shirts. This race was untimed so no messing with timing chips. Elisa took a few pictures of the team and then we made our way to the start line. There were lots of parents and children at this race and we missed our chance to get closer to the front of the line.
We took off and the course was narrow at the beginning. The course included rolling hills around the zoo but the inclines were manageable in most spots. As usual the students stopped to walk often. I started out with the slower kids then ran ahead and caught up with Christopher and Denilson, the faster ones. When those 2 stopped to walk, I went back to run/walk with the second group and repeated this pattern several times. We had to run the first leg 2 times so that was a little boring for me. We loved running through the zoo, past the monkeys, lions, tiger, camels, giraffes and more! During the last leg, as we were coming around a turn, with maybe 0.25 miles to the finish line, I could hear and see the Finish Line Party so I encouraged Christopher and Denilson to run it in. We did but Denilson ran out of steam so Christopher and I crossed the finish line together, 7 minutes faster than his first race! Denilson crossed the line about a minute later. Then I ran back up the hill to meet the second group and run in with them. This second group is very social and was more interested in talking and walking than running. We indulged in the yummy fruit and snacks and also watched other people finish the race.
Only bad part: my foot hurt during the entire race so I knew I was going to have to take a break for at least a few days. :s Luckily no race planned for 5 weeks; I was hoping for a quick recovery....
We enjoyed the zoo for another hour and a half. Joshua took a camel ride for $5. Another fun day for all! Next race...ARR South Mountain Classic 5K in late March! :)
I found another race for the LCK Cross Country team. Though the ARR race was free, the transportation cost tapped out our measly budget. This time the kids had to pay for the race. The entry fee was only $10 for children and it included admission to the zoo after the race so a sweet deal! I arranged for parents to drop off the kids at the Zoo and asked another teacher to help chaperone the group. I signed up for this race even though my foot problem from the previous Saturday was worsening instead of improving. I ran/walked about 7.5 miles during the week but my foot hurt pretty good when running. :(
It was another chilly, dark morning to start a race, with the added threat of rain. Seven (7) students and I met in front of the rabbit's statue by the School Entrance, with plenty of time before the start. I had picked up the T-shirts and race bibs a couple of days before. That made it easier -- no waiting in line! So Elisa (parent), Melissa (teacher) and I attached race bibs to front of shirts. This race was untimed so no messing with timing chips. Elisa took a few pictures of the team and then we made our way to the start line. There were lots of parents and children at this race and we missed our chance to get closer to the front of the line.
We took off and the course was narrow at the beginning. The course included rolling hills around the zoo but the inclines were manageable in most spots. As usual the students stopped to walk often. I started out with the slower kids then ran ahead and caught up with Christopher and Denilson, the faster ones. When those 2 stopped to walk, I went back to run/walk with the second group and repeated this pattern several times. We had to run the first leg 2 times so that was a little boring for me. We loved running through the zoo, past the monkeys, lions, tiger, camels, giraffes and more! During the last leg, as we were coming around a turn, with maybe 0.25 miles to the finish line, I could hear and see the Finish Line Party so I encouraged Christopher and Denilson to run it in. We did but Denilson ran out of steam so Christopher and I crossed the finish line together, 7 minutes faster than his first race! Denilson crossed the line about a minute later. Then I ran back up the hill to meet the second group and run in with them. This second group is very social and was more interested in talking and walking than running. We indulged in the yummy fruit and snacks and also watched other people finish the race.
Only bad part: my foot hurt during the entire race so I knew I was going to have to take a break for at least a few days. :s Luckily no race planned for 5 weeks; I was hoping for a quick recovery....
We enjoyed the zoo for another hour and a half. Joshua took a camel ride for $5. Another fun day for all! Next race...ARR South Mountain Classic 5K in late March! :)
Monday, March 28, 2011
ARR Desert Classic 5K 2011
3rd race in 2011: 1/29/2011, AZ Road Racers Desert Classic 5K, Surprise, AZ.
I wanted to run 1 leg (of 5 legs) of the marathon relay at this event but I did not find enough people to round out the team in time. Plus this location was nearly an hour away from home! About the same time, I started a cross country team with 6th-8th graders from my school and I began to scope out races. ARR offers FREE entry for children under 17 so it seemed like a perfect opportunity! I arranged for Saturday bus transportation and everyone got excited about the race. I did not sign-up for the race because I wanted to cheer on my students so why pay money for a race when I am not running all out.
On this chilly, dark January morning, eight (8) students and I met early at the school and took off in the bus at 6:10 A.M., a little later than planned! It was a little nerve-wracking as we arrived at race start time, seemingly no time to spare. I did not know this area well but it seemed like it was in a residential section and the parking signage was poorly marked. Thankfully one family of a student drove ahead of us and picked up their race bibs! Once we parked the bus and hustled over, Elisa (parent), James (bus driver) and I attached race bibs to front of shirts and looped timing chips through shoelaces. Then we made our way to the start line. The half marathon had already started and the 5K was to start within next 5-10 minutes. James took a few pictures of the team and I quickly checked with the race director to see if I could run along the course to check on my runners. He said I could run the entire course with them if I wanted.
We took off along this narrow course with a gradual incline until the turnaround. It took us about 15 minutes to run off the chill and the students stopped to walk often so I stopped often to walk with them! As we walked, I suggested that they check out the other runners, especially the other kids, notice their form and encouraged them to cheer their fellow runners. That was 1 fun aspect to hear them say, "Great job running" or "Way to Go" to people they had never met. The other thing is how amazed they were at the young runners who were really good and we even overheard a few kids talk about their running goals and past races...too cute! After the turnaround, the team naturally split into 2 groups so I took turns running with the faster group, then slowing down to catch up with the second group and running ahead to get back to first group. At the last stretch, with maybe 0.15 miles to the finish line, I encouraged the faster group to run it in. One of the parents was waiting for us and took pictures as we crossed the finish line. Then I ran back up the hill to meet the second group and run in with them. The sheer excitement at completing the race made it lots of fun to interact with the middle schoolers after the race. We indulged in the FREE snacks and also watched half marathoners finish their race. I ran into Reid, a really fast runner/blogger, after he finished the half marathon and was awaiting his turn in 1 leg of the marathon relay...amazing!
We took the picture below as we waited for race results to be posted. The students started asking about our next race and if we could run longer races.
Joshua: I want to run a 10K next time.
Carlos: Wait, a 10K is like 2 5Ks. I barely made it through the 5K today!
Hahahaha! Great accomplishment and a fun day for all! Next year...running the full marathon relay in 2012!! :D
Motto on back of L.C.K. Dragons T-shirt:
IMPROVING-every minute, every second, every student!
I wanted to run 1 leg (of 5 legs) of the marathon relay at this event but I did not find enough people to round out the team in time. Plus this location was nearly an hour away from home! About the same time, I started a cross country team with 6th-8th graders from my school and I began to scope out races. ARR offers FREE entry for children under 17 so it seemed like a perfect opportunity! I arranged for Saturday bus transportation and everyone got excited about the race. I did not sign-up for the race because I wanted to cheer on my students so why pay money for a race when I am not running all out.
On this chilly, dark January morning, eight (8) students and I met early at the school and took off in the bus at 6:10 A.M., a little later than planned! It was a little nerve-wracking as we arrived at race start time, seemingly no time to spare. I did not know this area well but it seemed like it was in a residential section and the parking signage was poorly marked. Thankfully one family of a student drove ahead of us and picked up their race bibs! Once we parked the bus and hustled over, Elisa (parent), James (bus driver) and I attached race bibs to front of shirts and looped timing chips through shoelaces. Then we made our way to the start line. The half marathon had already started and the 5K was to start within next 5-10 minutes. James took a few pictures of the team and I quickly checked with the race director to see if I could run along the course to check on my runners. He said I could run the entire course with them if I wanted.
We took off along this narrow course with a gradual incline until the turnaround. It took us about 15 minutes to run off the chill and the students stopped to walk often so I stopped often to walk with them! As we walked, I suggested that they check out the other runners, especially the other kids, notice their form and encouraged them to cheer their fellow runners. That was 1 fun aspect to hear them say, "Great job running" or "Way to Go" to people they had never met. The other thing is how amazed they were at the young runners who were really good and we even overheard a few kids talk about their running goals and past races...too cute! After the turnaround, the team naturally split into 2 groups so I took turns running with the faster group, then slowing down to catch up with the second group and running ahead to get back to first group. At the last stretch, with maybe 0.15 miles to the finish line, I encouraged the faster group to run it in. One of the parents was waiting for us and took pictures as we crossed the finish line. Then I ran back up the hill to meet the second group and run in with them. The sheer excitement at completing the race made it lots of fun to interact with the middle schoolers after the race. We indulged in the FREE snacks and also watched half marathoners finish their race. I ran into Reid, a really fast runner/blogger, after he finished the half marathon and was awaiting his turn in 1 leg of the marathon relay...amazing!
We took the picture below as we waited for race results to be posted. The students started asking about our next race and if we could run longer races.
Joshua: I want to run a 10K next time.
Carlos: Wait, a 10K is like 2 5Ks. I barely made it through the 5K today!
Hahahaha! Great accomplishment and a fun day for all! Next year...running the full marathon relay in 2012!! :D
Motto on back of L.C.K. Dragons T-shirt:IMPROVING-every minute, every second, every student!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Freeze Your Thorns Off 5K 2011
Ok, I am officially the worst blogger ever! I last blogged in mid-December & could not muster even 2 measly minutes to blog during my 2 weeks of winter vacation...nothing!! Well, I set a 2011 goal to run 11 races so I decided to check in at the end of the 1st Quarter to see how I am doing.
1st race of 2011: 1/8/2011, Freeze Your Thorns Off 5K at Papago Park, Phoenix, AZ.
My running parter, Jeff, invited me to sign-up for this FREE, casual race with his running blogger friends. I had heard about a few of them (Adam, Lauren and Rio) and I had met Lauren at the SCC track in December. I LOVE free races (really, free anything!) so I signed up immediately. Adam organized the race and invited people outside the valley to run that day in their neck of the woods and submit a virtual report. Kind of a cool idea. On this chilly January morning, I carpooled with Jeff and his neighbor, Kim, to Papago Park. While enduring frigid temperatures (low 40s in Phoenix...brrrhhhh!), we hung out in the parking lot trying to stay warm for 15 minutes before the race started. There were about 15 Phoenicians ready to run.
Jeff, Kim and I hug it out before the 7:42 A.M. start!
The course was marked with flour (the other white powder was to be enjoyed at the post-race party!) so that gave me a good idea that the goodie bag was likely to be chintzy. Adam gave the official start signal (I think he said, "Go!") and the small group was off and ... running! Jeff and I had quickly assessed the level of the participants and decided we probably would come in close to last place. Other than Adam, there were some impressive runners in that group. We actually ran a solid race and finished ahead of 5 people, including a couple pushing a baby-in-stroller. The only snag was the course was marked just short at the halfway point so we ran 3 instead of 3.1 miles. Oh well.
I thought the organizers did a great job and I met some nice people! I definitely would run this race again and I hear they are planning the 2nd Sweat Your Thorns Off 5K this summer. I will be there, wearing less clothes since it will be 108 degrees! :)
1st race of 2011: 1/8/2011, Freeze Your Thorns Off 5K at Papago Park, Phoenix, AZ.
My running parter, Jeff, invited me to sign-up for this FREE, casual race with his running blogger friends. I had heard about a few of them (Adam, Lauren and Rio) and I had met Lauren at the SCC track in December. I LOVE free races (really, free anything!) so I signed up immediately. Adam organized the race and invited people outside the valley to run that day in their neck of the woods and submit a virtual report. Kind of a cool idea. On this chilly January morning, I carpooled with Jeff and his neighbor, Kim, to Papago Park. While enduring frigid temperatures (low 40s in Phoenix...brrrhhhh!), we hung out in the parking lot trying to stay warm for 15 minutes before the race started. There were about 15 Phoenicians ready to run.
Jeff, Kim and I hug it out before the 7:42 A.M. start!The course was marked with flour (the other white powder was to be enjoyed at the post-race party!) so that gave me a good idea that the goodie bag was likely to be chintzy. Adam gave the official start signal (I think he said, "Go!") and the small group was off and ... running! Jeff and I had quickly assessed the level of the participants and decided we probably would come in close to last place. Other than Adam, there were some impressive runners in that group. We actually ran a solid race and finished ahead of 5 people, including a couple pushing a baby-in-stroller. The only snag was the course was marked just short at the halfway point so we ran 3 instead of 3.1 miles. Oh well.
I thought the organizers did a great job and I met some nice people! I definitely would run this race again and I hear they are planning the 2nd Sweat Your Thorns Off 5K this summer. I will be there, wearing less clothes since it will be 108 degrees! :)
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