Confessions of a reluctant runner, a DL 1/2 & PHM PTR. 7/5 race recaps and final thoughts

[CarolynK]

Creepy car story, I'd also have gotten the heck out of there! I shudder to think what he was doing in his car! Ewwww.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm glad you got out of that area with the parked car there. Sounds uncomfortable!

The vest is great. It'll look great on you.

Love your warm up/cool down spot. It looks wonderfully tranquil. Food for the soul, indeed.

 

[afwdwfan]

Yeah... the parking lot is a little creepy. Definitely a sign to move on down the road. Do you run with pepper spray or anything like that?

I'm glad the month of November is on a little bit better pace for you than October. Sorry about the ankle issues though. As someone who has had enough ankle injuries that I can turn an ankle walking on flat ground, I feel your pain.

 

[eandesmom]

You will not be missed in that outfit.

Well, I'll only have the vest and headlamp part of that outfit on!

Creepy car story, I'd also have gotten the heck out of there! I shudder to think what he was doing in his car! Ewwww.

I know! I had NO idea anyone was in there. Granted I wasn't looking for silhouettes but the car was fully dark.

I'm glad you got out of that area with the parked car there. Sounds uncomfortable!

It was just odd. It's a pretty busy spot normally, a street just outside of the park, parking lot. Usually we would park at our lake club but it closes at dusk so once we lose the light, in the winter, parking there isn't an option.

The street is in front of very nice condo's and a popular parking spot for the trail. Have never had an ounce of concern before.

The vest is great. It'll look great on you.

Thanks! I am excited for it. It's supposed to arrive friday but it may be a bit before I wear it as the rain seems to be coming back. I may not be able to run tonight anyway so I guess that's ok.

Love your warm up/cool down spot. It looks wonderfully tranquil. Food for the soul, indeed.

The actual run spot is much prettier, I really should have taken pictures, I felt like a runners world commercial, flying through the leaves!

Warm up cool down spot = my house. It's a gravel road that runs in front of my house to a couple of back parcels that our developer has yet to actually develop. Even once it is, it should largely look the same, except the road will actually get paved at some point since the 2 lots are a solid 10 acres in. So for now (and the last 10 years) it's just a pretty path back to the woods. Occasionally there is activity back there like they are really going to build it, which will be both good and bad. We are pretty tired of having it encroach on our lawn, never thinking that 10 years later it would still be like this, but as the only ones with access rights to it, it is nice and private and just lovely.

Not to mention a good spot for a photoshoot. Look at those cute little E's!

Throwback wednesday! I really would like to schedule another session here.

 

[eandesmom]

Yeah... the parking lot is a little creepy. Definitely a sign to move on down the road. Do you run with pepper spray or anything like that?

I never have, though usually Jeff is with me. I may have to consider it though. It wasn't in the lot, this was the street outside. Has never been an issue before.

I'm glad the month of November is on a little bit better pace for you than October. Sorry about the ankle issues though. As someone who has had enough ankle injuries that I can turn an ankle walking on flat ground, I feel your pain.

Well.....about that.

We will see.

I have 2 different doctors appointments on that issue today.

 

[Pinkocto]

That's a lot of runs you've got lined up, very cool! And if you want to do that 10K on your birthday, its your birthday so do it You can celebrate with family later.

The rain drop metal sounds neat, hopefully it won't actually be raining and muddy.

Hopefully there's nothing really wrong with your ankle. Good to be proactive though and go to the doctor.

Fun that Eric has been joining you and enjoying himself


Great picture of you guys! Those E's are too cute!!!

 

[eandesmom]

That's a lot of runs you've got lined up, very cool! And if you want to do that 10K on your birthday, its your birthday so do it You can celebrate with family later.

Well, all I am officially signed up for is the 10K this sunday. But now there is another family doing it too so it should be a very fun event with lots of folks we know.

The rain drop metal sounds neat, hopefully it won't actually be raining and muddy.

It's on a paved trail so won't be muddy. It could very well be raining though! I am pretty sure I'm going to do that one.

Hopefully there's nothing really wrong with your ankle. Good to be proactive though and go to the doctor.

It was good I went. I guess wrong is relative but yeah, there are issues. Hopefully fixable and we have a plan.



I am SO over this stuff!

Fun that Eric has been joining you and enjoying himself


Great picture of you guys! Those E's are too cute!!!

We will see how he does on Sunday. He was really adamant about doing the longer distance but a friend is doing the shorter. I kind of hope he changes his mind but we will see!

 

[KatMark]

Love the new gear.

I would have been uncomfortable with the guy knocking on the window and then going back into a dark car. Yep, I would have left.

Gorgeous warm-up/cool down spot (pic above).

Beautiful.

 

[Pinkocto]

Well, all I am officially signed up for is the 10K this sunday. But now there is another family doing it too so it should be a very fun event with lots of folks we know.

Do you have to pay for all of them? I'm sure that sounds silly but I've never done a race. I guess they do need money to give out medals and shirts.

It's on a paved trail so won't be muddy. It could very well be raining though! I am pretty sure I'm going to do that one.

You are one adventuresome lady that's for sure!

It was good I went. I guess wrong is relative but yeah, there are issues. Hopefully fixable and we have a plan.



I am SO over this stuff!

OH NO!!! I'm sorry What did they say?

We will see how he does on Sunday. He was really adamant about doing the longer distance but a friend is doing the shorter. I kind of hope he changes his mind but we will see!

Can he change at the last minute?

 

[franandaj]

You certainly do have things planned out!

Its good you are getting back into things. The dark wiukd totally throw me off. I'm not sure I would have even done anything after the creepy guy. Good for you to stick with the plan in another location.

And next Friday, we get together for lunch. However we won't be planning any marathons! Mexican sounds good to me, but whatever we come up with is fine!

 

[eandesmom]

Love the new gear.

I would have been uncomfortable with the guy knocking on the window and then going back into a dark car. Yep, I would have left.

It was creepy for sure!

Gorgeous warm-up/cool down spot (pic above).

Beautiful.

Thanks! That's what I see everyday as I pull into my driveway

Do you have to pay for all of them? I'm sure that sounds silly but I've never done a race. I guess they do need money to give out medals and shirts.

Yes. The price varies. Usually there are date breaks, the earlier you register, the cheaper they are. Sometimes you can find discount codes. Price also varies by distance, the longer they are the more they cost. It also varies by "event". For example the registration fee for the DL half was $195. I did get $10 off for DVC, and early registration . The rain run I am considering is only $80. Which still isn't cheap! But the events are wildly different. At DL you get

• Entertainment at the the bag check area before you even get to the corrals
• Entertainment at the start line
• Fireworks at the start line
• 8 water stops, 1 fuel stop, a bazillion porta potties, 4 medical stops
• Medal
• Tee
• Food box
• Paced corrals
• Characters at the ifnish line
• Staged photo opportunities
• Characters on the course
  
  

For the rain run I'd get

• 3 water and fuel stops
• no clue on porta potties but likely not many (at least 2 public restrooms on the route I know)
• an umbrella
• medal
• cupcake and other food (which could be a lot or a little, you never know)
• pace lineup, honor system style
• no clue on medical aid, it may be at the 3 water stops but am not sure.
• opportunity to buy a long sleeve tech tee

So....is all of that worth $110????

That's subjective. The cost of the production at Disney is wildly different than other races but lets be honest, you ARE paying for the privilege of running through the castle. And the character stops, or just seeing them out while you run. Obviously I thought it was worth it enough to sign up for another one.

Shorter races run between $30-65. Most include a tee but some don't. When it doesn't sometimes the registration is cheaper, and you can buy a tee or sometimes it's the same price as those with a tee.

You are one adventuresome lady that's for sure!

I'm not sure running in the rain counts as an adventure but ok. it's kind of a requirement living where I do if you want to run.

OH NO!!! I'm sorry What did they say?

Ah, it's a long story and I'll save the details for another update but bottom line is there are some issues and they need to be dealt with. I am allowed to run but with a few caveats. It remains to be seen how well I can deal with those caveats!

Can he change at the last minute?

He can change before the race, just not during.

 

[MEK]

OMG - those throw back pictures are so cute! The kids were so young. Hard to believe they have grown that much!

Cool jacket. Love it. Ok - this is really sad to admit. I do not have a running jacket. Since I was never running far on the weekends I would just wear a regular sweatshirt. Yup - they didn't work so well for a 10 mile run. I need to find myself a real jacket.

So you get to run on a path like that. I am so jelly! I love paths.

Great pace on your runs.

A 5K in Hawaii? How can you not. You've got some great options for training races. That's a great assortment.

Hope things work out with the ankles this weekend.

 

[eandesmom]

You certainly do have things planned out!

Its good you are getting back into things. The dark wiukd totally throw me off. I'm not sure I would have even done anything after the creepy guy. Good for you to stick with the plan in another location.

And next Friday, we get together for lunch. However we won't be planning any marathons! Mexican sounds good to me, but whatever we come up with is fine!

Well, they get planned out for a few reasons. If I don't, I double or triple book.

Case in point.

I booked a work trip for Dec. Thought I checked all potential conflicts.

Realized a week ago I had scheduled myself to be out on a day I am supposed to host a party at my house for 12 people.

OOPS!

Thankfully I was able to move the party a week later. LOL! And I wanted to see how possible races fell with the training schedule..and budget.

Can't let creepy people derail you but adjusting in the moment is wise at times!

I'll chat with Jeff tonight or tomorrow about the lunch spot and get his toughts.

 

[eandesmom]

OMG - those throw back pictures are so cute! The kids were so young. Hard to believe they have grown that much!

Crazy huh!

Cool jacket. Love it. Ok - this is really sad to admit. I do not have a running jacket. Since I was never running far on the weekends I would just wear a regular sweatshirt. Yup - they didn't work so well for a 10 mile run. I need to find myself a real jacket.

I think that's pretty normal. I don't have a running jacket either, not really. To me a rain jacket or a windbreaker isn't really the same thing as a jacket that's just meant to keep you warm. I don't wear that kind of jacket, ever. I'd get too hot. I've tried it with a couple of thinner jackets I had and I just felt constricted. I've tried them on in stores but opted against it. I'd rather have a tech tank, a tech long sleeve (and some are warmer than others) and then a vest if I need another layer. I do have a vest I've used, that's the thin stretchy shell kind but I get too warm in that. Possibly b/c it is too fitted. Hoping the new vest breathes better that way. Point is, different layers work well for different folks. Ann on the other hand doesn't wear a rain jacket at all but does do a lighter shell type one for warmth. I have run with a fleece a couple of times and...it was too warm. Gloves and the warm headband do a lot for me to keep me regulated. So, you may or may not need a jacket, or a vest, or a good LS shirt...I'd just experiment away and see what works for you before you buy too much.

A sweatshirt though nope...no matter what you do, you want tech fabric!

So you get to run on a path like that. I am so jelly! I love paths.

Well....that's not really the path I run, it's the gravel road next to my house lol!

I should take a picture of the path, if we have another lovely day like that one. Usually I just take pictures of the lake, since the path is next to the lake lol.

Great pace on your runs.

It's at least consistent with last year at this time, better in some ways. Hopefully these latest developments won't slow me down too much but injury free is certainly much more important than faster!

A 5K in Hawaii? How can you not. You've got some great options for training races. That's a great assortment.

I've never done a "real" 5k. It's always kind of been...what's the point. I did a charity one once, but it wasn't timed.

Hope things work out with the ankles this weekend.

We shall see! I picked up the new shoes tonight, holy cats are they BRIGHT. I don't need that vest or headlamp, you'll find me by the shoes. It was too late to get out tonight once I got home, adjusted laces etc but will try on friday. Probably best to let them rest anyway and have a couple of days in these contraptions I now have on my ankles. BLEH to that I say, I really hope it is short lived!

 

[MEK]

A sweatshirt though nope...no matter what you do, you want tech fabric!

I have plenty of tech long sleeve shirts, but I've never been properly outfitted for the layer on top. Many times I just take the sweatshirt off, which I thought would happen, but it never did and that sweatshirt got super annoying. Denny has all kinds of tech biking jackets. I guess I could try one of those but I'd really like to get one that I can use for biking and running.

Well....that's not really the path I run, it's the gravel road next to my house lol!

I should take a picture of the path, if we have another lovely day like that one. Usually I just take pictures of the lake, since the path is next to the lake lol.

You definitely should. It sounds lovely!!!!! Eventually I will do a run that takes me down to the Delaware Bay. I'll take some pictures down there.

I've never done a "real" 5k. It's always kind of been...what's the point. I did a charity one once, but it wasn't timed.

All the more reason why you should do one in Hawaii!

We shall see! I picked up the new shoes tonight, holy cats are they BRIGHT. I don't need that vest or headlamp, you'll find me by the shoes. It was too late to get out tonight once I got home, adjusted laces etc but will try on friday. Probably best to let them rest anyway and have a couple of days in these contraptions I now have on my ankles. BLEH to that I say, I really hope it is short lived!

I hope so too! I am totally keeping my fingers crossed that you are able to work out all these issues and be good as new!

 

[eandesmom]

I have plenty of tech long sleeve shirts, but I've never been properly outfitted for the layer on top. Many times I just take the sweatshirt off, which I thought would happen, but it never did and that sweatshirt got super annoying. Denny has all kinds of tech biking jackets. I guess I could try one of those but I'd really like to get one that I can use for biking and running.

Ugh, a sweatshirt is heavy to run with around the waist! My co worker went through that recently, I can't remember what she ended up getting. I think the challenge is that you need a lot more wind resistance out of a cycling jacket for the winter than you might need running so the cycling jacket may be too warm. I can ask her. Worst case, just wear 2 of the long sleeve tech shirts.

Good thing is that you are so ahead of schedule, you have 2 weeks to shop.

You definitely should. It sounds lovely!!!!! Eventually I will do a run that takes me down to the Delaware Bay. I'll take some pictures down there.

Ooh pretty!

All the more reason why you should do one in Hawaii!

We will see, I would like to. I'm going to get through the weekend and see how the latest combo does.

I hope so too! I am totally keeping my fingers crossed that you are able to work out all these issues and be good as new!

Me too, it's super annoying and I feel super high maintenance and like a big old baby...which I can't stand!

Thank heavens for the return policy is all I know.

 

[eandesmom]

What a difference a week makes.

And not in a good way.

Sigh.



The ankle that was kind of sore last Sunday...well it stayed sore. The other ankle decided to join the party Monday night. On Wednesday, after enough googling my symptoms enough to sufficiently scare myself, I went to the podiatrist.

I walked out of there with this



Two of them actually.

Sigh.



She said that I could try to run my 10K on Sunday, as long as I wore the braces and she suggested I try a different shoe. She felt the shoe was the issue, but also agreed with why I switched and didn't think I necessarily had to give up on the idea of the type I was using. We discussed a compromise shoe.

So I got these



Pretty huh?

By the time I got done picking them up, I wasn't up for testing them out in the dark and the rain. Both seemed a bad combo with the sore ankles.
On Friday I saw my chiro who attempted to get things a bit unlocked.
Friday I also met Ann for coffee! We had a blast. I found out some REALLY good news. Our waitlist for the first 2 nights of PHM came through and we do not have to move.

HAPPY DANCE! We still need to link our ressies so we officially don't have to move and make a few more ADR’s but we are pretty set on things at the moment.



6 nights Boardwalk View, Studio. I beleive that means we will get to watch the 10k runners go by. How FUN! We'll have coffee and cheer, maybe make signs for people we know doing the GSC or the 10k.

We also finalized our costumes and I am uber excited about them!

So. Much. FUN!

I went to pick up our race packets and return the neon green vest on the way home from work. The vest just didn't fit right. Traffic was horrendous and by the time I got it all done (and um, may have spent more than I returned at the store....) and home, again, running in the dark and drizzle didn't sound great, uneven surfaces are something to be avoided with ankle issues and dark+rain even with my headlamp made me a bit nervous from a footing standpoint. Plus the ankles hurt.

Saturday was a gym day and we went to see Interstellar. Really enjoyed the movie!

We woke Sunday to the sound of POURING rain. I mean pouring, torrential rain. For as wet as Seattle can be, it is usually on the milder side. Luckily by the time we got to the race start, it had stopped. Lucky for us, poor Ann got SOAKED at her 10K the day before.

We got a couple of pictures.





And then got going.

And it started to rain.

As I ran....

My ankle started to hurt. The left is where the problem started and that is what I noticed as I ran.

This was the first time it had hurt while running, it’s always been post run. I hoped it would warm up. It didn't.

I felt like everyone was passing me. That was a first. Usually I'm passing as much as being passed and this feeling, I didn't like. I've been spoiled I think and today I felt it. Especially when I knew my pace was decent. But, I did know that historically this is a pretty fast race and I figured the 5K runners were going for it, whereas I was pacing for the 10K. At around the 2 mile mark, as my ankles got angrier, I made a decision. I was just going to do the 5K. I didn't know if they could switch me once the race had started (they can before). If they couldn't, it would be a DNF (Did not finish). As much as I didn't like the idea, I didn't like the idea of really damaging myself more and ending up sidelined. As I turned into the 5 K race end, a couple of folks tried to tell me I was going the wrong way, that the 10K kept going. It was SUCH a déjà vu moment. I did a 15K last spring that was a combo 15/30K race. A woman in front of me was registered for the 30 and did the same thing, switched to the 15. I vividly recall volunteers trying to tell her it wasn't her turn around spot and her saying "I know". Today, that was me. I hope in her case she was able to get switched so her 15k counted for something.

After getting through the chute I tried to figure out where to go to see if I could switch. It took a bit to get sent to the right place but with the flick of a keystroke I was switched and my 5K results were official. It was a little bit of a punch to the gut when one of the well meaning people in the timing booth said "oh you'll make it to 10 next time". She meant well.

Mission accomplished I found some friends that had done the 5K and we settled in to watch for Eric and Jeff. Jeff was along in short order, as expected, he is incredibly consistent that way! Our friends had actually run with Eric from about mile 2.5-3 and they'd had a great 5K time so I had an idea of where he was at. Knowing his 5K split I knew he was going to have issues. He had told our friends he knew he went out too fast.

Finally we saw him and once we started cheering for him, he picked up the pace! While he was less than thrilled with his end result, he also knew what he'd done wrong and from my perspective he did great. He was a little bit faster than he was for the 8K back in May and he went farther, all good things! He's definitely in shape for doing a 5K but needs a bit more endurance and pacing for a 10 to have it end where he wants it to. I know he can do it though!

All in all, I am not unhappy with how I did though I'd like to think had I planned on the 5K the entire time, I’d have been a tiny bit faster. And, while part of me really thinks I wimped out, the pain in my ankles as I type this, disagrees.



I have to admit, I am especially happy with the division place. From a percentage standpoint it is my best placement ever and this was a 9 year age group, versus the normal 5 so that makes me feel a little better. That said…there were a lot of walkers. I did look at the 10k results and it’s likely I'd have placed about the same so overall, I am ok with it. It does make me kind of want to do the Hawaii 5K even more…so I can beat this result.

I think this may have been the culprit. Last week's hill lol



Which really bites as that run felt SO good!

Or it was the shoes. Or well, UGH, who knows!

At any rate I'm going to head back and exchange shoes yet again. So very tired of the shoe store and the drive there and back! I can't say I like being recognized there. The shoes themselves felt great but given that the ankles feel worse and I had a full week off, there has to be a connection and it's not worth risking making it even worse. I don't love the colors of the shoes I'll be switching to but what can you do. I hated running in the braces, absolutely hated, hated, hated it. My feet got HOT! Bleh. I am going to have to just play this week by ear and see how they feel.

Eric ended up placing in his age bracket, along with another boy we know well (Evan’s age). Of course the other boy was crabby he missed first by 30 seconds (I swear, he’s won his age bracket every race we see him at!). Eric missed 2nd by 20 minutes. Still though, he placed and a 10K at 14 is a pretty cool thing if you ask me, far more than I ever ever did and more than his friend and teammate was willing to try. The mother and sister of the boy who "beat" Eric also did the 5K and had a great time.

Jeff had a solid race, not a PR but solid which, given that he's been battling calf issues made him happy. He ended up 5th in his age bracket (out of 22) and ran over a minute a mile faster than I did...for twice as far! 45th overall out of 377 for his race and 38 out of 146 guys. Shows you though how many of those top 45 were guys! Not fair how much faster they are.

In other exciting PHM news, Mary Ellen, Ann and I registered as a team. We will get special sashes, and special bibs, fun!

​

 

[Poolrat]

Great for making lemonade out of lemons. UGH on the ankle issues. Hope you get all straightened out soon.

Great job to the boys as well.

Good thing you can return and exchange the shoes. I know it is a pain but great that you have that option.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sorry about the ankle. Hope the brace helps.
Well done to you and the boys on the latest race. Despite your running issues with the ankle, I'm in total admiration.

YAY on getting the wait list for the room, and all the team things sorted out. It sounds like a bunch of fun!

 

[Pinkocto]

Yes. The price varies. Usually there are date breaks, the earlier you register, the cheaper they are. Sometimes you can find discount codes. Price also varies by distance, the longer they are the more they cost. It also varies by "event". For example the registration fee for the DL half was $195. I did get $10 off for DVC, and early registration . The rain run I am considering is only $80. Which still isn't cheap! But the events are wildly different. At DL you get

• Entertainment at the the bag check area before you even get to the corrals
• Entertainment at the start line
• Fireworks at the start line
• 8 water stops, 1 fuel stop, a bazillion porta potties, 4 medical stops
• Medal
• Tee
• Food box
• Paced corrals
• Characters at the ifnish line
• Staged photo opportunities
• Characters on the course
  
  

For the rain run I'd get

• 3 water and fuel stops
• no clue on porta potties but likely not many (at least 2 public restrooms on the route I know)
• an umbrella
• medal
• cupcake and other food (which could be a lot or a little, you never know)
• pace lineup, honor system style
• no clue on medical aid, it may be at the 3 water stops but am not sure.
• opportunity to buy a long sleeve tech tee

So....is all of that worth $110????

That's subjective. The cost of the production at Disney is wildly different than other races but lets be honest, you ARE paying for the privilege of running through the castle. And the character stops, or just seeing them out while you run. Obviously I thought it was worth it enough to sign up for another one.

Shorter races run between $30-65. Most include a tee but some don't. When it doesn't sometimes the registration is cheaper, and you can buy a tee or sometimes it's the same price as those with a tee.

Thanks for all that info. I never even thought about the logistics of organizing a race and incorporting the drink and potty stops.

They had a special on the Disney medals, I think on the DME, and that was really cool.

I'm not sure running in the rain counts as an adventure but ok. it's kind of a requirement living where I do if you want to run.

Whenever I see someone out running in less than optimal weather I am impressed with their dedication.

I'm sorry about your ankles what a pain in the rear. Any time line on when they'll be back to normal?

Great they were able to change you to a 5K instead of a DNF! Wise move to change and not risk greater injury.

Congrats to Eric! What an awesome accomplishment for him!!!!