UCP Life Without Limits 5k Race Recap

After going to bed very, and I mean very late, around 12.30am I only got a couple hours of sleep. I was up at 6.30am and Mike and I finished cleaning the house for the showing. I was appreciative that Ace was with his grandparents because as we try to get rid of his hair in the house he inevitably walks around shaking and putting more hair all over the place.

 It only takes me between 8-10 minutes to get from my house to Globe Hollow. 

The race starts in the parking lot of this 'pool', its actually classified as a man made swimming area. It's one of the 6 I have worked at in Manchester for the last decade as a lifeguard for the town. I apologize for the lack of photos for this recap...even though like I said it only takes me 8-10 minutes to get to Globe, I didn't leave the house until 7.30am................. The race was supposed to begin at 8am! I know I've said it before. I. Hate. Rushing. I did make it in time to get my shirt, bag and bib, but because of my time management issues I didn't get to take photos.

I initially did this 5k in September of last year. It was my first 5k, pretty much EVER. I convinced Miguel to run it with me. It was enjoyable and painful to run with him but I was actually even happier that I was alone this time. I didn't have to worry about keeping up with him and could go at my own pace. My goal was to do back to back races and I knew I wasn't going to PR today but I wanted to be able to push myself and not have someone else try to do it for me.

About 5 minutes before the race began everyone got lined up on the street behind the start line. I was shocked by how many people were around me. You could tell there were all different kinds of running abilities, I enjoy that to a degree...A big frustration for me and maybe it is because I run alone is people talking over the announcers and race directors giving last minute instructions, I feel it is incredibly rude and find it annoying. I want to hear and I am curious and shouldn't have to be on the actual start line to be able to hear, especially when they are using a megaphone. I find this happens more with the inexperienced or non-serious runners. Don't get me wrong, I am not heart attack serious, I am doing this because it is fun to me. I just want to make sure my safety is a priority.

Like I said there were a large, large number of people at the race this year, much more than last year and I am sorry to say but I found them more obnoxious than the year before. The gun went off and the dudes around me, I say dudes because there is no other explanation for these males..other than duuuuuude, HAD NO CLUE...so they stood there. Granted I am not going to finish before you, but have a little courtesy of those behind you....like me....very frustrating, I'm sorry I'm not sorry I'm one of those runners who likes to begin running when the gun goes off.

Although I was not a fan of this course last time, I liked knowing the course and because of that enjoyed running it this second time, it gave me the opportunity to accurately pace myself because I know what was coming up next. I was feeling fantastic about Mile 1, took water and made it down the scary steep downhill from Mt. Nebo to Charter Oak Park, I appreciated running next to a little creek under the trees, it was nice and cool even with the heat. I hope one day I will be able to take pictures while I'm running like some bloggers I follow, power to you women!

Mile 2 was a little more difficult. There was a pretty steep uphill run towards the 384 overpass. I took this opportunity to walk the width of the highway, catch my breath and push it the last mile. My feet started to hurt here big time, as well as my side, it was not a welcomed pain, not like "oh, I know I'm working hard"...more like "eeehhh, why does this feel like someone is stabbing me and no one is around". Spring street is a nice clean straight away and I felt like picking it up, I passed a few women who I had been pacing with and a couple that had only passed me because I walked the overpass.

I'm not sure if I am the one who does this, but I am about to let you in on a little secret of mine. The first mile of any race I pick a person who looks either like they are my speed or faster and they are my goal, along with my race time, to beat. Maybe it's the Leo in me, the disgusting competitive drive that even when I try to ignore is like alarm bells going off in my head.

I had picked a woman out around Mile 1 but passed her on Spring St. on the straight away after mile 2. About .5 away from the finish I realized I was pegged by someone as their competition (a great feeling) there was a nice rolling down hill that last half mile...but as I was running I realized this girl was coming up on my side fast, I thought daamn if you are going to go that nuts on the downhill have it. I'm not competing with someone who wants to be reckless. She slowed down to just slightly in front of me and then started to move towards me...we have enough space around us to fit a killer whale and she starts to edge closer and closer, I keep thinking she is going to correct what direction she is going in until I realized what her real intentions were...she cut right in front of me. Like directly in front of me. I don't know if I can make it any clearer. Think of that Allstate commercial or maybe it was State Farm where they talk about the "loop and swoop", where some one comes around the side of you then cuts right in front and puts on the breaks. That is exactly what happened, well unfortunately for this poorly dressed, lacking etiquette runner I fuel off of anger. I kept my comments to myself (AH AHKAY) and resisted shoving her, I won't do anything that would keep me from running a race again... I pushed myself even harder and kicked up the gravel behind me as I smoked her. YUP! Heard that you snarky, cheap, you know what....how did it feel to watch me cross the finish line before you. Mhm. Karma. Ease up on that sports bra next time.

I have never ever seen someone deliberately try to put someone else in danger....I cannot even get myself to feel like she did it by accident. She knew exactly what she was doing. There wasn't any one around us on that hill at all. I am all about giving positive feedback to those that look like they are struggling so I couldn't imagine doing something like this to anyone....

The finish is naturally on an uphill swing. I am sorry for the older lady I passed about 10 feet before the finish but I was so heated that I couldn't stop myself. I crossed about 32:45. A PR for the course but not my best overall time.

I wore my Bulu Box Do Awesome Sh*t Shirt and got soooo many compliments after the race, I lost count. They had water, Gatorade, bananas and these quinoa/almond/dark chocolate bars. 

My body as of today (Sunday) is only a little sore, I have blisters on my feet and my thighs hurt, but other than that I am in pretty decent shape for having 2 races within a little over 12 hours of each other. I didn't PR either race but I ran it in a mid range time, so I am happy. I really want to make sure I am ready for the Glass Slipper Challenge in February. I am contemplating trying a new brand of shoes possibly, see if maybe there is something else out there. I've just been a Nike girl for quite some time...maybe the Free's are what I need?

After the race I spent about 10 minutes cooling down and got changed. I had a sun shining day of training at 9am to go to. Gotta make that guap....well...kinda. I really ended up getting fantastic ideas for my own staff training that is happening this upcoming weekend. So training from 9am-3pm and then we hit the road, sunburned back/shoulders and all. We decided to spend the evening in Niantic (yes I was JUST there) with Miguel's parents at their house. We missed our son so much too <3. We stopped by Five Guys to grab a late lunch and got ready for an afternoon/evening of crazypuppylove!! I will leave you with photos of the furry, tail wagging goodness.

 Yellow pup is Scarlett, the beast on the floor is my baby Ace of Base.

Of course Mike had to work out once we go there. I chose to eat like I have never seen food before in my life.

 Dancin' the night away!

They are best friends.

Ultimately I am not sure if I will do this race again. I really enjoy the cause (United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Hartford puts the race on and the proceeds go towards research) and the people working/volunteering are amazingly kind. The course is perfect and the distance from my house to the start line is ideal....I just.... I can't do the whole runner atmosphere. I'm sorry to say it too. 

QOTD: Have you had a race that you really enjoyed but probably won't run again for one reason or another?

Cheshire Sea Dog 10k

Okay. I'll admit it first... I ALWAYS think of the Cheshire Cat when I think of Cheshire, CT. I can't really explain why. I know there is nothing about Cheshire that justifies that thought process but it still happens. So anyway, this was my first 10k. I didn't really run races in the logical order 5k, 10k, half, full... I did 5k, half, 5k, 5k, 10k....oops. 

Well, first off, the Southington-Cheshire YMCA did a fantastic job with the race today. Not only did they make it a family affair by having local businesses and vendors by having a "doggie dash" on top of the 5k and the 10k but they had a very interesting and somewhat challenging course. (As well as an awesome shirt!)

I will admit that I was a little thrown off by the fact that I had to go to one tent to get my bib number and then go to another tent to get my bib. I would have preferred that was put in a pre-race email. That to me is not typical for a race like this and added a bit to my pre-race anxiety. Once I picked up my bib, shirt, shoe laces (kinda cool) and looked at the start line I headed back to my car to stretch and get pumped up. The lady who parked next to me and I started talking about races and the course. She had done the Cheshire Half Marathon and said the course was perfect, not too many hills but enough to keep it interesting. This race was both our first time at Bartlem Park so we were both unsure what was in store. She then proceeded to tell me her favorite course of all time in CT was in Colebrook. I must have looked shocked because she said to me, "do you know where that is?" I of course have no idea where Colebrook, CT is but on September 28 I am running the Hogsback Half Marathon in that town (proceeds are going to Running for Rescues, sing up NOW!) We said we would probably see each other there and parted ways.

 I had had a ton of water and wanted to go to the bathroom prior to the start of the race. The line for both the regular park bathrooms and the port-o-pottys was longer than any race I have been too. Not only were people taking WAY TOO long but an 11-year old child cut in front of myself and the 4 people in front of me 5 minutes before the race was too start. I get a child needed to use a bathroom, I'm not heartless but where is the parent?! There is a certain etiquette to follow....like standing in line. I do not like to rush to the start line I like to take my time, this was very upsetting. Luckily a third stall opened up and I was able to be to the 10k Start Line with 60 seconds to spare.

Although the 10k and the 5k began in two separate locations we merged about .10 of a mile after the start. We then ran together for about .50 of a mile until the 5k went left and the 10k stayed straight. The course was actually really pretty, running through the neighborhoods of Cheshire was very calming. There weren't as many spectators as the Vernon Mothers Day Dash but the amount of volunteers out on the course made you feel like there were people there to see you run. Another positive for the S/C YMCA. I did wish that there was maybe 1 more water station but I was appreciative that there were two spaced out. I lined up close to the start line and boy did I get passed by many many people after the first mile. After that little (yeah right, little) blow to my ego I decided that if I were to at least beat my best 10k time so far, 1:14 then I would still be proud of myself. The runners for the 10k were real deal serious runners. If was to come in last it was going to happen going up against some great runners. I pushed myself more than I had ever before in a race. I had my first 3 miles under 10 minutes (WHAAAAT!?!) It only drizzled a little, luckily there were no downpours. The finish line was across the street from where the 10k started. I was able to pass one or two more people the last .30 and as people were crossing an announcer was calling out their name and what town they were from. I was so relieved to be done!! AND! I had beaten my best time!! I finished at 1:04!! 10 MINUTES OFF! WOOHOO!!! Forget the fact there were 250 people registered and I was 235!!! I didn't come in last! Yayyy!!!

I grabbed some water after passing under the balloon arch and had to hobble back to my car back across the street. Ooooowweeee. It felt like a longer walk than the run I had just completed. I had packed my bag with a change of clothes just in case it did rain. I am very happy I did. Not only do I detest sitting in workout clothes but I had to show off my new shirt!

Love Bulu Box! This shirt is soooooo soft. I still have to post my subscription review. I'll do that after I am done with this post. After changing I walked around their expo, grabbed a delicious and much deserved orange slice and half a bagel. I looked at the race results and headed home. There was a puppy date about to happen!!! My Partner in Crime, my Better Half, my Disney Twin just rescued General a 3 month old German Shepherd and even though he's only been 'home' for 3 days we knew Ace and him needed to meet A.S.A.P....plus I had a bottle of Sachem's Picnic waiting to be sipped. :)

General and Ace meet for the first time! 

I will leave you with pictures of these two. Nothing is better than a puppy butt <3

"When you're the best of friends...."

Girls Just Wanna Run 5k - May 5th

While browsing Active.com I noticed that on Cinco de Mayo there was a 5k called the Girls Just Wanna Run 5k for $20 (whaaaat! I know, great price) so I was immediately sold. I was hoping to get someone else to go with me because Litchfield is home to three of my favorite Vineyards on the CT Wine Trail: Miranda Vineyard, Sunset Meadow Vineyards and Haight-Brown Vineyards. They are delicious and gorgeous stops along the roads of Connecticut. Unfortunately I did not get anyone else to register and went on my own. I enjoyed going to the runDisney races alone but I was almost more nervous going to a race alone in my own state.


Always gotta tape it up. I love KT TAPE. I got blue to help go #BostonStrong for this race.

Shirt from Raw Threads

It took me about 60 minutes to get to the parking lot. When I arrived I saw a sea of pink and thought phew I knew that black was the right choice haha.

Once I parked I went to visit the table to check in and get my bib and I knew I was interested to see what the tech shirts looked like. I missed out on the deadline for the shirt with registration but when I heard it was only $18 I am completely okay with paying under $20 for a tech shirt. So check in table. I arrived to the table and stared awkwardly at the woman responsible for those with last names A-D...Stood in silence for about 30 seconds and then told her my name and said I was here to pick up my bib. She sounded somewhat snotty when she repeated the town I live in, it's on the other side of Hartford...She was almost confused why I drove an hour to get there...I said I love to run, so I'll drive anywhere. She gave me a fake smile.....Then the awkward silence began again...She didn't tell me hold on right here we will get your bib. We just stood there. Silent. Again. So I asked if I was to pick up my bib somewhere else and she rudely explained the girl behind her was getting my bag. Oh. My bag, cool, actually its one of those eco-friendly grocery type bags, but did you tell me that? Did you even pretend to have any experience with customer service? No. So that immediately turned me off to this event. This was the first interaction with race staff I had and I had a bad taste in my mouth already. 

I then walked over to the 'Glam Table' which is an adorable idea. I waited behind a woman and her daughter trying to decide how many butterflies they wanted in their hair for the race. I wasn't in a rush so I smiled and waited. A line formed behind me and just as it was my turn to ask for the race shirt a woman and her mother barged, yes barged in front of me without an excuse me, without a word. The mother stood there blocking the table from me and was loudly proclaiming that her daughter was a brat.....really? I don't know where she could have gotten that from. I proceeded to stand there silently  It was my turn, I got my shirt and needed to remove myself from the estrogen mine field.

So I went back to my car to continue to hydrate, stretch and get #poweredbybits. I have an EnergyBits review earlier on my blog. I will link it to this. I am in love with EnergyBits by the way. Check them out!

Sat down to stretch for a little and relax before not being able to find the start line. Boston Wicked Strong! Raw Threads shirts are so soft. If you haven't bought one yet, do it! You wont be dissapointed.

 Waiting in line for the one, single port-o-potty I saw this. So cool This is one of the only things I liked about the race. The girl power aspect of it. Another negative to this race...the continual lack of respect and manners. A woman who was not running let her daughter who was not running take 10 minutes in the port-o-potty with 15 minutes left till the start of the race...there were 15 women in line with me. I was 4 away. So I scratched the idea of getting to pee one more time before the start...this was just another check in the category of not doing this race again.

I followed the herd of women in pink to the poorly identified start line. There weren't corrals because it was only a 5k of about 500+ women which is fine and all but I had women pushing in front of me to get closer to the line to walk...Again. If you know you are going to walk and there is an option to run I think it is only respectful to not put yourself in a dangerous situation of being trampled/run into...So gun goes off and away we go. The course was probably the only plus, it was gorgeous along a lake relatively flat and had many straight a way parts. I ended up finishing with my best time ever! Thank goodness! I was so happy there was good outcome to this race.

Even though I will without a doubt never run this race again and never recommend it to anyone I am glad I did it. It has not only helped me remember how lucky I am to have been brought up with manners and respect but it is another stepping stone to my next running goal...

COMPLETE A FULL MARATHON

Yes, you heard it here. More to come about that.

I have another 5k this Sunday, Mothers Day and a 10k the weekend after! Woohooo! Full steam ahead! I cannot wait for the Wine and Dine Half (and the Tower of Terror 10 miler if I have a say).