No matter how many races I run (this was #29), I learned something every time. That’s one of my favorite things about racing. Every race is unique.
In case you were wondering… bib #13 is unlucky. Very unlucky. I almost wish I could blame this lackluster race on my own training because the results would be easier to accept… instead, the issue was that the course was poorly marked and myself and about 10 other runners (including Anne) ended up getting LOST!
But today was still fun, and I finished in a good time. All races are good races because I’m RUNNING!
Let’s start from the beginning…
Woke up around 6:05, showered (yes, I shower before races!), and grabbed a light breakfast. I had a piece of PB toast with 1/2 a banana:
The Husband, my BFF Sarah, and her Husband TK accompanied us to the race. It was nice to have fans!
Anne and I had picked up our bib numbers and shirts the night before, so all we had to do was pick up our chips.
The race was very small – under 150 runners – and chip pick-up was a breeze.
Then it was time to line up at the start!
The race benefited the military support group Operation Freedom so a Vietnam veteran, who was a POW for 7 years, gave an inspiring and funny speech before the start.
The color guards:
Ready… set… GO!
I took off like a bat outta you-know-where. It was a completely unmaintainable pace, but I knew I needed to create as big as a deficit as I could at the beginning of the race because NO MATTER WHAT, I was going to slow significantly by the third mile. I was running for a sub 23:46 race, so I tried to maintain a 7:00-mile for the first lap around the lake. I actually hit 5:30 at one point!
It was HARD. My stomach was in knots!
I wrapped up Mile 1.0 in 7:16 and was feeling really good when I turned the corner.
Anne was right behind me!
I tried to hold onto my lead as much as possible as I approached the halfway part. My stomach was churning from nerves, excitement, and the breakneck pace, but I just kept running. I could feel myself beginning to slow down a bit as I came up to the water station.
I grabbed a drink and pulled into the grass to walk while I chugged. Then, I took back off! I came up on Mile 2.0 at 8:03 and was pleased.
After Mile 2, the course doubled back and began to go back through the park, but on a different route. Anne came up behind me and urged me to keep going. She yelled, “HANG ON!!!” and sprinted past me.
That’s when it happened…
Although the course was well-marked up to this point, there was a fork in the trail around Mile 2.5. The right turn took you over a bridge and back to the lake (where the finish line was). There was no volunteer or cone at the intersection, and a bunch of the runners in front of me (the lead pack) took the right turn. I had looked at the course map briefly online and a little voice in me screamed, “This isn’t the right way!!” But I began to doubt myself and followed the group. Right when I got over the bridge, I knew we had made a wrong turn.
All the energy left me immediately. I stood completely still on my bridge for at least 10 seconds (no one was with me) trying to figure out what to do. I decided to just continue around the lake because my chances of PRing were already shot.
That’s when the lead pack figured out they were also going the wrong way. It was SO sad to watch! Everyone who had been doing so well had to turn around! 
Anne crossed the finish line right before me.
And then I came in… a lot slower than I would’ve otherwise. I just didn’t have it in me to sprint when I knew I was crossing the line 0.1 miles early.
BUT… I KEPT RUNNING! I was determined to finish the entire 3.1 miles. I hit Mile 3.0 at 8:41 pace and finished the race on my Garmin at 24:56 or so.
It was disappointing, but… like I said, you learn something from every race. Today’s lesson: STUDY THE COURSE MAP because the course might not be properly marked or staffed. I should know the route like the back of my hand, just in case!
And actually, Anne and I ended up running another two slow miles after we finished to round it up to an even 5.0 miles. I love other long distance runners who understand the need to squeeze in mileage on the weekends. 
Post-race, we grabbed Starbucks. The first PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE of the season makes it all better!
And breakfast #2: berries, oatmeal, and Greek yogurt.
Now we’re all blogging and watching college football. Wahoo!
And you know what?
I’m going to redeem myself by signing up for another 5K that takes place NEXT Saturday. I WILL be studying the course map and setting a new PR. Go big or go home!
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{ 106 comments… read them below or add one }
Well you handled that very gracefully. I would’ve been extremely PO’d about my PR. Grrr frustrating…
Caitlin you did great! I have ran a race that was not clearly marked and I have almost done what you did — thankfully a volunteer ran (out of nowhere) and directed us to the correct way.
I’m sure you’ll do AWESOME at your next 5K — good for you for signing up!
How did your new shoes feel?
Awesome!
I’m so sorry you’re left feeling disappointed Caitlin, it sounds a tad badly organised. I know you can study the course map but IMO, you shouldn’t have to memorise it as there should be stewards to direct you. I’ve not done a race before with nobody to tell you which way you need to go.
I still think you got an awesome time, I can only dream of completing a 5k so quickly! Good on you for signing up for another race next week – good luck xx
How frustrating! Great attitude though Caitlin… you’re very inspiring =) , i’m so happy I stumbled onto your blog a couple months ago..
What is anne’s blog’s name?
Good (no, GREAT!) luck on your next 5km race!
Fannetasticfood.com!
Even though you went wrong, that is still an AWESOME time!!! And the first mile pace..sheesh!! Impressive!! I think you should be proud
Good job on finishing the race even though you got a little lost! I know how that feels for sure. I love the face that you guys have races every single weekend there. Good luck next weeekend!
That’s awful!!!! So sorry
But you have the right attitude… it’s not the end all, be all. And you did learn an important lesson!
Always love your attitude with taking away things to learn from racing. And now we’ll be cheering for you next weekend again! Lucky Race #30!
No matter what, girl, you are still a ROCK STAR!!! Big fat BOO to the race organizers for not having the course properly marked. Good on you for shaking it off and finishing though.
Pumpkin spice lattes do make everything all better.
(and HURRAY for college football – let’s go Tigers!!!)
Aw, sorry you and the other runners took the wrong turn. The same thing happened to me once. I’m sure you’re gonna rock next weekend’s race! : )
That is lame…I would have been pissed off! Sorry that happened, better luck next weekend.
you can think of this race as a practice for next week/speed workout!
“All races are good races because I’m RUNNING!”
I love this Caitlin. I can’t run anymore due to a nerve disease and it makes me smile anytime I see someone appreciating just being able to run and move in and of itself.
So many people forget that part and I know I used to in the past. I wish now that I would have just enjoyed being able to run and walk whenever I wanted.
This is SUCH a good message!
Oh no, that’s just awful! At least you did what most people wouldn’t do… you kept running! Go you!
Caitlin! I can’t believe that happened…but it must be fate that you have a second chance next weekend, right?
Hope you enjoy the rest of your day watching football!
awww, I’m sorry the race didn’t turn out as planned but I love your positive energy and ability to look at disappointing situations like a lesson. I have a race next weekend and I will for sure be looking at the course map!
awesome time even with the wrong turn!!!! I had a pumpkin spice latte after my 10 miles this morning too. YUM!
GOOD JOB – you did it…a little detour but you did it! Can’t wait to hear about next weekend’s race – YOU CAN ACHIEVE & SUCCEED!!!
One of my big fears during a race is accidentally taking a wrong turn. I would have been so upset if that had happened to me! But, you finished strong and you will definitely get that PR next weekend!
I can only imagine how frustrating that must have been! But you’ve definitely have the right attitude in trying again. Good luck next week!
That’s a bummer =( But there’s always next time!
You still ran an amazing race, even if it wasn’t the race you set out to run and you ran it for a good cause!
Good job! I know the race didn’t end the way you would have liked it to, but i definitely admire your mindset and persistence. I would have sulked for at least the rest of the day, but you’re moving past it and planning for your next race!
I’m off to get a pumpkin spice latte right now!
Pumpkin spice makes everything OK!
Despite the misfortunes, you still rocked it girl!
Mental note to self, always check the course map.
oh my gosh, that is terrible. I’ve had that happen to me too, but it was the Ragner 180 mile relay race so I wasn’t exactly going for time. I’m so sorry for you! Awesome splits though!
Aww, that sucks a lot! You really have a great attitude about it though. Hopefully next weekend’s 5K will go better.
Pumpkin spice lattes are back already?!?!?!
You have just made my weekend… no, my WEEK, better!
ooh i ordered pumpkin spice latte yesterday (:
13th? how freaky!! i also have an issue with numbers. have you heard of tetraphobia? growing up i have always *refused* to get #4. for instance, if i’m in the hospital, i’d refuse to stay in a room that has a #4!
did you have a goal as to how many you wanted to run the race?! you continued to amaze me!!
You have such a great attitude about it! I would be so discouraged. But you’re so right. You got out there, did your best considering the circumstances and are doing another race next weekend? Awesome!
bum deal on your race! At least you finished still in a speedy time! Next time’s a charm! good luck!!
oooh. I got that super angry feeling when I was reading the part where you got lost. HOW WAS IT NOT MARKED??? You had that PR and it was their fault! You have a much better attitude than I would. Congrats on a great race, for being so cool, and best of luck next weekend.
bummer about getting lost. but, it happens. i got lost in my first HS CC race and it sucked but its just motivation for the next time. i had a pumpkin spice latte yesterday that was DIVINE!
Way to go – you should be so proud! Your first two mile times were awesome! Sorry it went the way it did, but you’ll get it next week:)
Despite that mishap, you still finished with an awesome time! Way to go girl.
Yeah- we’re totally going to blame the bib number on that one. Sorry it didn’t happen this weekend- but way to go for giving it another shot next weekend!
I absolutely admire your positive reaction to something that must have felt so bloody frustrating! I’d have wanted to scream and cry! Great idea to sign up for one next weekend – that’s the great thing about the 5k distance! (also: super brilliant time anyway!!)
wtf? I cant believe the didn’t mark the course well for you guys..that’s terrible. I hope they issue an apology and fix the course for next year. I’d be really pissed off if I was winning a race and then suddenly got lost!!
It seems like you managed to run a good race with all the setbacks! great job!
That’s so frustrating! I’m really sorry that the course wasn’t marked. But your pace was amazing! I would love to run that fast.
A similar thing happened to me at a New Year’s Day 10K. A volunteer didn’t show up at their station (I guess too much partying the night before) so no one knew where the turn around was. By the time the organizers figured out what had happened most of the runners had run about 2 miles more than they needed to.
Despite the problems you ran an awesome race. Congratulations!
There is NO excuse for a poorly marked course without someone there to guide you!!! //Sorry about the way it turned out but you STILL had phenomenal time!!!
I have to shower before I race, too!
BUMMER! My husband did the same thing and he was so heartbroken…he was in 2nd place. But he’s still #1 to me! =) Have a great holiday weekend…and I had my first P.S. Latte today too! YUM!
That stinks it wasn’t marked properly. You did a great job though! Enjoy the rest of your day!
Even if you didn’t set your PR, that is still an amazing time!
Aw! That sucks! At least you’re positive about it!
Next week will be great.
How frustrating! Live and learn though. You’ll have it next weekend though and this was just good practice for it.
Pumpkin latte sounds delicious. I can’t wait to have my first one of the season.
I HATE it when there’s no volunteers or markers on a course. I got lost at the halfway point of my very first marathon, and when I finally found a course marshall (after turning around and doubling back about 500 meters), he said “just follow the path”…um, idiot…we’re in a park THAT’S FULL OF PATHWAYS!!!!! Got straightened around, and finished the race, but man, it takes all the wind out of your sails. Good job for keeping going. What other alternative is there, anyway?
You’ll PB…just not today.
Sorry about unlucky #13, but i’m glad you got more distance in!!!
Have a fabulous weekend!!
That is such a bummer! I completely understand though. I ran a very small 5k in May and definitely thought I was going to get lost as we ran though one of the most confusing neighborhoods in my city. Thankfully there were volunteers at each turn. I don’t know what I would have done without them.
Good luck on your 5k next week!
I did a half marathon once that was just a half and a 5k. A TON of 5k runners missed the turn around point and one guy ended up running the half on a whim instead of the 5k. In racing flats. AND he took 3rd overall! So yeah, poorly organized races happen, but you’ll be THAT much more stoked on crushing your old PR next Saturday!
Ohh Caitlin! I feel for you! Same thing happened during my very first sprint tri! You still had a great time !! And thanks for the heads up on the pumpkin spice lattes – one of my favorite guilty pleasures!!!!
unlucky 13.
it’s so refreshing you just call it a learning experience and push yourself to run another next week! it’s so easy to get upset and go on a rampage. hahaha. you’re a great positive role model 
I think you are doing great!!! I think you should sign up again because it will make you feel better and that is all that matters! You will ROCK it!!!
Shorty
ps-My name is Sarah and I am 4’11″ and hubs is 6’4″ and I thought it was funny you have a friend named Sarah who is short and married a tall man. I could tell the hight difference is similar to ours so it made me laugh that she also has the same name!lol
That hurt to read!! You were SO gonna PR. Guess you just better run another 5k this year:) heheh
Sounds like it was still a good time overall though. And yes – pumpkin spice lattes ftw!
That sucks! I have been lost during a race before when it wasn’t clearly marked. It made me so mad! I think doing another race is a great idea!
You will PR!
Good job on not beating yourself up. The 2nd time I ever ran a 5k almost the same thing happened to me (except I was no where near the front), the lead runner had run a course very close to the route but not quite the same so he took a turn and everyone followed him. I was so disappointed at my time because it was a couple seconds slower than my first 5k but I felt that I had done so much better. Turns out that wrong turn had everyone running an extra tenth of a mile :-/
It seems like everyone is getting pumpkin coffee and/or tea already, I think I need to track some down.
College football!!!!
You will obviously rock the 5K next weekend, and you did a great job today, too!
I can’t believe you showered before the race! That’s funny. And I’m glad you’re not too hard on yourself for getting lost…that is SO something I would do! Great job
I love your attitude!! Great job today and you will rock it next weekend!
re: running…i feel the same way when it comes to jogging–whether i jog in place or move, i still feel good after…
great job!
Sorry it didn’t end up like you wanted it to, but still – GREAT RUNNING OUT THERE! You were MOVIN’!
I ALWAYS shower before a race – Always!
Great attitude! Way to stay positive. And an amazing time too!!!! Way to go, congrats!
How frustrating! I guess this was just a good trail run for next week’s PR. I was doing a 1/2 marathon and some of the full marathoner’s turned on to the half course where the two groups split, so their marathon turned into a 28 miler! races really do need to be well marked.
Great job, and good for you for taking it all in stride.
I feel silly for missing this, but — why was the race .1 miles *shorter* if you had to double back and run extra? Am i just reading it wrong?
That’s what i hate most about racing: the discrepancy between your garmin telling you it’s over and the fact the finish line is still years away. When i get to 3.1/13.1/26.2, i want to be DONE.
That sounds so frustrating that you got lost! Your determination and attitude is admirable though and I love that you’re signing up for another race
I can’t wait to see the results, I’m sure you’ll kick ass!
Sorry about the course not being well marked. Sounds like you still did great though! Good luck for next weekend!
Caitlin – that’s an AWESOME time for someone who DIDN’T get lost – let alone getting lost!!! Geez girl – you rock!! And I’m sure that PB isn’t far away
Also – do you have “bad” knees – I notice then tensors?
Caitlin you did amazing and just think, you didn’t give up! And I love how positive you are and instead of not wanting to race again, you’re already planning for your next race. Way to go!
I’m so proud of you.
That was inspiring. You have been such a huge inspiration to me and I just wanted to thank you for that. My goal is to do the San Fran 1/2 marathon next October and I’m so scared. I need to get back to 5k training… I lasted a week before I got lazy. I will do this.
so sorry about your race! I hate long, short, and poorly directed courses/races! better luck next week!
Oh man! I can imagine how frustrating that must have been…but good for you for signing right up for another one to go for it again! That’s awesome!
You have such a good attitude about this — obviously something happened that wasn’t your fault and was out of your control, but you still finished with a smile! That ability to have an amazing attitude is worth more than the fastest time in the world.
Brian and I had our first PSL’s of the season this morning too! SO. GOOD.
Weehoooooo!! Way to go on the race, Caitlin!!
Reading this made me nervous. I have my first marathon in 2 weeks. It is a relatively small race…2000 for the marathon and 4000 for the half. But if you spread those people out over all those miles, there are a lot of chances for a back-of-the-pack runner like to end up by myself at an intersection. I’ve printed the map, but I”ve mostly been looking at it for places where my husband can stand to cheer me on.
Sorry that the race didn’t turn out the way you expected, but you totally have the right attitude. You live and learn. Next time you are going to ROCK it!
Awesome job and great attitude!! My first 5K was not marked well at all, good thing there were people at the turns telling me where to go! Question for you…do you advise that I should take off at the beginning of the race? Or do you think that it would make me too tired? I’m not sure how to approach the start. I run a 10 min mile on average, my 5K PR (only did one) is 29:30 but I have been running a lot since then and would like to finish in 27-28 min.
No! Definitely do NOT do that. I don’t think it was the wisest way to start my race but I was concerned that I needed to credit a major deficit to PR. You will probably comfortably PR and I’d rather finish fast and strong than beat.
Thanks Caitlin!!
Sorry about your race…there is a race in Mooresville next weekend…Historic Mooresville 5k. A little bit hilly, but a fun experience and all proceeds go to literacy efforts in our town. I will be on the course volunteering and pointing you in the right direction if you decide to come out and try it!
One year ago, I ran a VERY poorly marked 1/2 marathon, so I understand your frustration. Especially since your heart was set on PRing. Next weekend!
Oh my gosh..getting lost?! :/ Whoops! At least you still finished with ana amazing time
And I’m doing the same thing you were- blogging and watching football
Have a great weekend!
Hey Caitlin! I was wondering about the Chia Seeds you eat. I went to Home Economist today in Davidson and they had a large $20 jug of chia seeds, but the lady said i need to grind them or soak them before eating because the nutrition is on the inside of them. (?) Can you give me some insight to the chia seeds? where do you get them? do you buy the “whole seeds”? do you soak or grind them? how much do you eat of them per day? thanks so much!!
Kim
per the bag i have, chia seeds can be eaten whole, unlike flax, which must be ground.
i try to eat a tablespoon a day!
Caitlin, where do you get your Chia seeds?
I got mine as a sample from chiaseeddirect.com
Aww, that’s really too bad that the course was poorly marked. You still ran an amazing race though! I can only hope to run a 5k in under 25 minutes. Good work!!
Definitely a bummer. I hope you can find a way to still PR soon.
What a bummer. Good luck on next weekends!
How… WTF? 5.30 pace? You’re on FIRE, and I can honestly say that you really deserve a well-planned race. Kudos to you for signing up again – I’ll be CHEERING!
That’s really good advice. I’ve never studied a course map ahead of time but have gotten lost a time or two.
I love that people came out to cheer. Having fans makes races just that much better (although I run them without fans a lot too
)
Pumpkin Spice lattes totally have my heart! I think I need to get my first of the season, and soon!
LOVE, love, LOVE pumpkin spice lattes. OH MY. I am drinking one as I write this.
OMG! I would have done the same thing, in fact..TRAGIC STORY..I did and ended up missing an entire race. Sorry..I just have to tell you this one and you wont’ feel so bad .. or maybe you will but I have to share anyway.
I had to bid for the Beach2Beacon in ME this past summer and I got in. Ted and I planned our vacation around the race. Come race day, it took forever in traffic getting to the start. We were still unsure WEHRE the start was and where Ted was going to park. There were 7000 runners not to mention spectators, traffic, people were overwhelming.
We came to a fork in the road and decided to follow the folks we spoke to at the B&B who were racing as well. In fact, they were sponsors for the race.
We ended up at the finish line, 30 minutes before race start and the police wouldn’t let us out of the parking lot because the roads were blocked and heavy with traffic. All 5 of us ended up missing the race. We traveled over 300 miles for a race that never happened because I didn’t listen to myself and followed the crowd.
I know how you feel, you could just kick yourself for not following your own instincts. But at least you did run an amazing race. Unfortunatley, you fell down on the mental part of running. That’s the part of running that is so difficult to train for. You’ll rock it next time, Caitlin. You’re just too determined not to.
I think you and the other runner/bloggers have inspired me to do something I am totally unfamiliar with…..to run. I’ve never been a runner, EVER. I actually had really bad issues with it when I was young. I got shin splints like crazy! I also got easily winded, which my school couches and my parents thought was asthma. I’m not asthmatic as an adult, but I was always still leery of running for the shin splints.
Well, we got a puppy….a puppy that discovered she loves to run. So, during her walks, I’ve been running short sprints with her. I don’t want her to be deprived of running, after all! Well, funny thing…..I LOVE IT! I would never, ever guess this would happen.
Now, I think I’m going to be canceling my gym membership – still not comfortable in a gym – and starting a couch to 5K routine. My husband is even interested!!!! I’m so incredibly excited!
Any tips? And thank you for the inspiration!
oh so fun!
i have a tips page for runners at the top – they are especially good for newer runners.
good luck!
Oh man!! That really sucks! I’d be upset about getting lost too.
Ironic coincidence – I ran a half marathon on Sunday and also had a mishap. I was on pace to run a 2:16 or so – which would have been a whopping 12 minute increase from my old PR (from my very first half ever) and was psyched! But then…the last stretch was not very well marked. We stopped for a couple of seconds, trying to figure out which way to go – then continued, only to have a medic on bike behind us yell that we’d gone too far and needed to turn around to hit the finish line. Add that to the fact that the course was significantly long (13.37 on my friend’s watch) – my Garmin said I ran 13.51 – and my finishing time suddenly became a 2:20. Still a huge PR, but my chip time and average posted on the race site doesn’t accurately reflect just how well we ran the race.
GRRR…I’m still made about it, two days later! So I feel your pain!
How frustrating! Love that you’re taking it all in stride though. You’ll get the next one, I know it!
Oh man, what a bummer!
This happened to me at my 10K. I was doing so good, on track for a my personal goal and the race was in the woods with few signs and by the end the course workers left the trail and went to the water stations at the finish line so no one told you which way to go. I ended up running about a 1/4 mile the wrong way and ruining my time.
I’m a little behind, so went back to the recap after you mentioned it in today’s (or yesterday’s post). Anyhow, question: knee braces. Tell me about them. Did a doctor suggest them? I picked one up right before my 1/2 b/c I was having trouble, wore it in the half and haven’t again…silly. But, it’s in my drawer if I need it.
This post explains it all!
http://www.healthytippingpoint.dreamhosters.com/2009/09/knee-pain.html
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