Dash of the Elves 5k

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I came, I ran, I WON!

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That’s right! I WON my first race (well, I won the female division of a 80-person race, but I don’t like to minimize accomplishments, so WHATEVER!). 

 

I felt sooo horrible last night (killer headache), and I wasn’t sure I would be up to racing today.  I decided I wasn’t going to waste my $25 entry fee, but I did drop down from the 10K to the 5K.  And I’m SO GLAD I did!

 

My final time was 23 minutes and 42 seconds.  That’s about a 7:35-minute mile!

 

Back to the beginning…

 

I woke up at 6:15 and cautiously opened my eyes.  Only a minor headache remained!  I called both Meghann and Lindsay to tell them I was, in fact, coming to the race.  Then, I inhaled breakfast and dashed out the door.

 

I had banana oatmeal with brown sugar and sliced almonds.  And a coffee, of course!

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Sorry for the tupperware! The dishes were all dirty. 🙂

 

I got to the race around 7:30.  It was a small event — around 80 people.  It was very easy to find Lindsay and Meghann.

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We kind of all matched. 🙂

 

I was SO relieved they let me drop down from the 10K to the 5K.  Standing around and talking, I felt fine.  But I knew that I wasn’t feeling up to par and that running 6.2 miles was out of the question. 

 

When the air horn went off for the 5K race, I SPRINTED forward.  Immediately, I felt HORRENDOUS…. very weak, very nauseous, and very, very tired.  I paced with Meghann for the first 0.5 mile, and then she pulled about 15 feet ahead for me for the next 1.0 mile. 

 

Waves of nausea kept coming over me — I really debated stopping to puke a few times.  Yet, I reasoned with myself — it was a short race, and the torture could either last 30 minutes or 25 minutes. I decided to ignore the physical pain as much as I could and just GET IT OVER WITH!

 

The turn around point required a long climb up a hill, and when we turned the corner, I finally gained on Meghann.  I LOVE MEGHANN! She is so competitive and it just makes everything so much more fun.

 

By 2.0 miles, I was literally SCREAMING and GRUNTING out loud to maintain my pace.  Letting it out verbally helps me so much.  This one guy overheard me and said, "Don’t stress about it! You’re the lead woman!"  And that’s when I realized… OMG! I AM THE LEAD WOMAN!

 

That last 0.1 mile was torture. My stomach was screaming, my lungs were bursting, my head was on fire…. but I kept my pace.  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a girl starting to gain on me…. and I thought NAH UH! NO WAY!  We broke into a sprint towards the finish line and I JUST squeeze past her! 

 

Look at the final times (mine is first and random girl is second…. she was only .5 seconds behind me!):

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I was very surprised to see my final time of 23 minutes and 42 seconds.   Speedwork is TRULY making me faster — I have never broke 8-minute mile outside before!

 

In the end, Lindsay and Meghann won awards, too!

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Lindsay placed in her age division and Meghann placed THIRD overall! Way to go, girls!  Lovely plaques, too!

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After the race, I grabbed a Christmas sugar cookie

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And then we all went to First Watch for breakfast.  Its a very yummy and healthy breakfast diner.  I had a coffee

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And Floridian French Toast (which is sourdough bread with banana, strawberries, and wheat germ. Yum!).

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Now, I’m resting on the couch…. To be honest, I’ve felt better!  I’m very proud of my 5K time, and I definitely think I’ll run another one when I’m feeling better to see if I can improve!

 

Have a WONDERFUL Sunday!

{ 56 comments }

 

  • Meghann December 14, 2008, 10:26 am

    You rulleee too!!! LOVE YOU!!!

  • ashley (sweetandnatural) December 14, 2008, 10:28 am

    Congrats on winning!! Even when you felt sick!!

  • teacherwoman December 14, 2008, 10:29 am

    Congratulations on taking 1st place!! WAHOO!

  • VeggieGirl December 14, 2008, 10:29 am

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Man oh man, are you a trooper running that race while feeling ill. Kudos!!!

  • Kath December 14, 2008, 10:31 am

    Congrats Caitlin!!

    You and I need to run a race together – we’d be neck and neck competitive!!

  • Katie December 14, 2008, 10:38 am

    CONGRATULATIONS CAITLIN!!!! You ROCK!

    Feel better dear 🙂

  • Catherine December 14, 2008, 10:40 am

    Awwwwsome on the 1st place!! Way to rock the race!!

  • Lida December 14, 2008, 10:42 am

    GO YOU!!!! that’s amazing, especially because you felt sick! Inspirational

  • K December 14, 2008, 10:43 am

    CONGRATS!! You are amazing!!

  • Angela December 14, 2008, 10:46 am

    WOW!!! I’m so proud of you!
    You are so inspiring. I knew you’d rock it. Have a relaxing rest of the day!

    Angela
    http://www.ohsheglows.com

  • therunningaddict December 14, 2008, 10:47 am

    Way to go caitlin!you’re a star!

  • Tami December 14, 2008, 10:50 am

    i am so proud of you, way to push through it all!

  • Quinn December 14, 2008, 10:51 am

    Congrats! Even sick coming in first — very impressive! Now take it easy!

  • Balance, Joy and Delicias! December 14, 2008, 10:52 am

    woooooooooo!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!! Such a race!!! You won the first prize despite all those tough moments, you really have a strong will power, I admire you so much!!! 😀

  • Erica December 14, 2008, 10:52 am

    ahhhhhhhhhhh congrats! That is so exciting! I was just glad to see the title of your post after hearing how yucky you felt last night! Hope you have an incredible day 😉

  • chasedaylight December 14, 2008, 11:04 am

    Wow! Congrats Caitlin!!! I commented on Meghann’s post that I always get the Floridian French Toast at First Watch too (in Sarasota)!!

    Feel better girl!

  • Julie December 14, 2008, 11:09 am

    Wow, congrats!!

  • carolinebee December 14, 2008, 11:21 am

    Caitlin- that is SO awesome!!! OMG..i was seriously shocked to see you even RAN, let alone freakin’ won!! That is sooooo badass, sweeeet award plaque!!

  • Laura December 14, 2008, 11:32 am

    AMAZING job Caitlin! Congrats on the win!

    Hope you feel better!

  • Mrs. LC December 14, 2008, 11:37 am

    YAY! I just looked at your time again and I didn’t realize how fast you were! You rock! Hope you feel all better soon and can’t wait to see you again! 🙂

  • Justine December 14, 2008, 11:42 am

    Awesome job on the 5k! I’m so impressed with your race paces. I always feel so slow! I’m not much of a competitor, so even in the one race I did, I didn’t really feel the need to RACE it. Maybe as I do more I’ll feel the need for speed 😉
    Hope you feel 100% soon!

  • emily December 14, 2008, 11:48 am

    congrats! what a great race!

  • ttfn300 December 14, 2008, 11:50 am

    congrats!! awesome run 🙂

  • sara December 14, 2008, 12:04 pm

    congratulations, that’s awesome!!! and congratulations to Meghann and Lindsay as well! 🙂

  • Bridget December 14, 2008, 12:12 pm

    Congrats!!

  • BOBBI McCORMICK December 14, 2008, 12:18 pm

    congrats girl way to rock it!!!!

  • jenngirl December 14, 2008, 12:30 pm

    Congrats!! I loved the play by play 🙂

  • loveofoats.com December 14, 2008, 12:36 pm

    congrats!!!!!! way to go – that is awesome 🙂

  • Simple and Divine December 14, 2008, 12:43 pm

    YEAHHHHH!!! ATTA GIRL! You are SUCH a hustla… I mean, DAA-AAMNN!

    I’m so proud of ma girl! Now rest up!!

  • *Andrea* December 14, 2008, 1:00 pm

    omg you rock so much! looking at how far you’ve come is SOOOOO inspiring to me! 7:30 average mile for 5k = fabulous! you go girl 😉 there’s nothing stopping caitlin

  • Mica December 14, 2008, 1:29 pm

    Congratulations, Caitlin! You are my inspiration to do speedwork and get speedy!

  • Megan December 14, 2008, 1:38 pm

    Congrats on winning the race, that’s awesome!

  • just me December 14, 2008, 1:38 pm

    dammmmnnn!!! FIRST place!!! that freak’n rocks!!! congrats!!

  • Jeena December 14, 2008, 2:08 pm

    Congratulations! No wonder you won eating thse bananas and strawberries to make you feel better. 😀

  • emily December 14, 2008, 2:13 pm

    Congratulations!
    You are so inspiring 🙂
    ~ emily.

  • Jenna December 14, 2008, 2:54 pm

    ahhhhh congrats!!!!!!!!!! that’s awesome!!

  • inmytummy December 14, 2008, 3:25 pm

    You rock! That is awesome!

  • vegannurse December 14, 2008, 4:02 pm

    Congrats Caitlin! Hopefully, you feel better!

  • Nicci December 14, 2008, 4:22 pm

    congratulations Caitlin that is so awesome, especially for giving your all while not feeling well. You Go Girl!!

  • magpie December 14, 2008, 4:42 pm

    Congrats!! And you were sick!! You did awesomely 🙂

  • strongandhealthy December 14, 2008, 4:44 pm

    Congrats on the race!!

  • HangryPants December 14, 2008, 5:03 pm

    Caitlin!!!!!!! That is amazing. Congratulations cutie!

  • Tina December 14, 2008, 5:06 pm

    Congrats! You are a rock star! 🙂

  • Jen December 14, 2008, 5:24 pm

    Congrats to you!! I hope you feel better! I have been sick all weekend!! 🙁

  • Erin December 14, 2008, 5:58 pm

    Such an inspirational read! I’m glad I found your blog! I want to attempt my 1st 5k in March! GOOD JOB!

  • hk December 14, 2008, 6:02 pm

    HOOOO-RAAAHH!! congrats, that’s amazing 🙂 too all three girlies, ya!

  • Erin December 14, 2008, 6:05 pm

    Wow, congrats! That’s an amazing accomplishment!

  • Caitlin (see bride run) December 14, 2008, 6:44 pm

    justine – the only person you are EVER really racing against is yourself!

    erin – you should definitely give a 5k a try! they are fun and not TOO long. 🙂

    THANKS everyone!

  • girlrunningaround December 14, 2008, 7:41 pm

    Great job girl! You are definitely tough!

  • Meg December 14, 2008, 8:39 pm

    Congrats! That is amazing!

  • Erin of Care to Eat December 14, 2008, 8:47 pm

    WHO IS THE NUMBER ONE MAMACITA!!!!!! YYEEAAHH GIRL!

  • Victoria December 14, 2008, 9:25 pm

    That’s awesome!!! Congrats!

  • lauren December 15, 2008, 6:47 am

    great run and time! congrats on winning! wow!

  • Elina December 17, 2008, 8:56 am

    Sorry it’s late, but I just really wanted to congratulate you on winning the race despite being sick. You’re amazing!!

  • That Pink Girl December 17, 2008, 9:14 pm

    Congratulations – that is AWESOME! And sick too – you rock!

  • Heather December 18, 2008, 2:43 pm

    Hi there! I did that race this past weekend too. I did my best time for a 10k, but sure didn’t win an award! Congrats! I am doing the Jingle Bell Run this weekend in Baldwin Park and then the Disney Half Marathon in January! I just found your blog- love it!

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