Race #171
5k #56
2019 Race #15
2019 5k #3
Palmetto Dunes Turtle Trot 5k #2
I signed up for this race as a way to get in a race in August, nothing more. In the south, races in August are few and far between so I will take what I can get.
I knew that I would have a lackluster time, slower than normal, thanks to my Grand European Adventure and nearly a month away from running.
Throughout the entire trip I would longingly look at other runners and wish I could run too. This past Sunday, I went for my first run since Zermatt and loved it despite the outrageous heat and humidity which had to be 135% although I do know that’s physically impossible. I went for another run the next day and felt all sorts of sore muscles, especially my calves, reminding me of my month-long break.
I took Tuesday off completely and planned for a casual jog, especially since our beach week this time corresponded with the beach route. (The race series runs throughout the summer, alternating between road and beach based on the tide since the beach route has to be run at low tide.)
This race served as a couple first for me, first race on the beach, and first race with more than two family members joining. My stepsister, Emily, and her husband, Ryan, joined us for a few days at the beginning of the week, leaving after the race today. The guys, Ellis and Ryan, decided they were too cool for a t-shirt and just ran as pacers with us on the beach. Actually, they did not want to tempt themselves into racing by paying the money for the bib.
We arrived in plenty of time, waiting until the 8am start.
The race itself consisted of a straight line broken into two out and banks on either side of the start/finish line in front of the Dunes House. We went out a quarter of the race, turned around, passed through the finish line, went out another quarter, turned around and then went through the finish line again, this time as the actual finish.
When I first started running, even though the soreness had abated from my calves, running felt hard. I still enjoyed it but that first quarter mile or so felt hard. Mom asked if we were running too fast. Yup. We slowed down just a tad which worked out perfectly.
On the first quarter we had the wind in our face, acting as a headwind. Many of us, including myself, naively thought that we would have an easier time after we turned around. We would have a tailwind, right? Nope. Apparently once we turned around we lost the wind completely leaving us to the mercy of the sun beating down on us.
Mile 1: 8:38
Somewhere in the second mile, I decided on my next running goal. Before I tell you, I give the disclaimer that yes, I am crazy. I want to try to beat my 5k PR. Yes, I decided this while dripping sweat, running with sore calves (and many other muscles) on the stunningly hot beach.
We ran the entire second mile without the headwind. I am not surprised that mile 2 clocked in as our slowest. We also did stop to grab a cup of water at the water stop aka the finish line and walked while drinking it.
Mile 2: 8:58
About a quarter mile after mile 2 ended, we reached the second turn around and headed for the finish line. I have never felt so relieved to feel a headwind in my entire life. This headwind pushed at us significantly but that breeze felt so good.
I decided to dig in and try to increase my pace in the last quarter mile or so. Mom, however, had a lot more left. As soon as I started to pick up the pace, so did she, leaving both me and Ellis in the dust!
Mile 3: 8:44
Overall: 26:52
Emily came in about 10 minutes behind us. She didn’t walk once!
I loved getting out there again and cannot wait to resume training again. That five year old 5k PR needs to come down.