Yesterday morning I ran the Chisago Lakes 5K in Center City. This is one of the many "local" races I consider a must-do. This race has a particularly Minnesota flavor - the race registration tent is on a frozen lake an the race course takes runners past the church used in the Grumpy Old Men movies. Yesterday was especially "Minnesotan" with balmy temps of -5 degrees at race time.
Given the temps and the hills (did I mention the race is pretty hilly?), I didn't ave any particular time goal. I was just looking forward to getting the first race of 2010 under my belt. At 10:00 the race started and we were off, with considerably less runners than previous warmer years. There is a huge hill in the first quarter mile of the race, so that kept me from going out too fast. I just kept chugging along at about an 8:30 pace, trying to convince myself that my lungs were not going to freeze.
By the end of the first mile I was warmed up. There is another serious hill in the second mile, followed by a section where you run on a skinny (snow & ice covered) trail. Right after the trail? You guess it, more hills. Finally we were on the final downhill stretch to the finish. I gave a big kick trying to pass two girls in front of me who I thought might be in my age group. And then Sophie somehow broke free of my mom and jumped out onto the race course. Now if I was going for a PR, I probably would have mowed her down. But since that was out of the picture, I stopped and grabbed her hand and we finished together. 26:24.
While this certainly wasn't my fastest 5K time, I am proud of my even splits (8:32, 8:33, 8:34) and my hill prowess. I passed lots of people on the hills and never saw them again.
Speaking of hill prowess, this afternoon my in-laws watched Sophie while I ran my long run in their neck of the woods (northwestern Wisconsin). Twelve miles of big time hills. Like go to an amusement park and run on the roller coaster for twelve miles hills. My legs are killing me, but it was a great run. I then spent the rest of the afternoon in front of their fireplace eating a delicious dinner that I did not have to cook. Perfect weekend!
18 comments:
I really admire you. You get out there religiously and get the miles done, no matter what is going on outside or in your life. Man, pass me some of your determination!!! Great job kicking off your January race...what's up for February? Nice splits, BTW!
12 miles worht of hills...awesome!! Congrats on your first race of 2010...that didn't take long. Love the race pic!
Hi Heather,
Great job on your first 5k of the year!! I know how challenging hills can be but it sounds like you did just fine! How cute for you to finish with Sophie:) I love the picture!
That DOES sound like a perfect weekend. Congrats on the nice and steady 5K race and hilly long run!
I would love a great hill workout but I live in south jersey and our hills are pathetic!
That is a great time for ice, snow, cold and HILLS! Amazing, great job!
Congratulations! That is one heck of a race...
The race was followed by 12 miles of hills? I am in awe!
That's a dang good time for cold+hills. I'm too big of a wuss to even run outdoors let alone race right now. :p
I can't think of a better way to finish the race than with your daughter!
Congrats on the hilly 2 miler. Someone else making dinner is always a bonus.
Great splits! Sounds like an awesome weekend!
MCM Mama
Congrats on your 5k race ... those are very impressive splits.
Glad to hear someone else is hitting the hills!
I can't imagine running in that cold! Although, I remember it well when I lived in MN, I wasn't a runner back then. I spent those cold days bundled up INDOORS!
Great job on the race!
Great job! Even splits are awesome.
And, wow, 12 miles of hills. You go!
It was -5 and you were warmed up after only a mile... Damn!
That's great you keep your pace very consistent! Congrats on the 5K and love the picture :).
Way to show those hills who's boss.
You are a rock star!! That is COLD, and it sounds like a tough course, but your finish time was awesome. Way to go!
You are so awesome! Speedy, too! Great job in the cold and with the hills. And another run on top of it. Yeah! Glad you didn't mow anyone over... :)
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