Monday, June 16, 2014

LaDainian Tomlinson 5K race recap

Happy Monday! I hope everyone is having a good start to the week. 

I got back last night, albeit reluctantly, from an extended weekend in San Diego. What a beautiful city. This was my third time visiting, and I find more to like about it with each successive visit. San Diego is really my favorite of all the major cities in California.

Some details about the visit: Adam and I used AirBnB for the first time to stay at a great condo in a terrific location downtown, which was walking distance to a ton of entertainment options (thanks again, Seth!) Highlights from the weekend's activities included finally visiting the San Diego Zoo for the first time, hiking Torrey Pines Natural Reserve and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, and enjoying the nightlife in the Gaslamp District.

L: Torrey Pines Natural Reserve
R (top and bottom): Polar bear snacking and a panda at the San Diego Zoo
R (middle): San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter

I do love living in Chicago, but that gorgeous weather in San Diego is unparalleled. I am envious at the prospect of being able to train outdoors on a consistently year-round basis. It must be nice not to own any balaclavas and to have never heard of things like polar vortexes, whiteouts, or black ice! But, I digress.

Even before the San Diego visit was given a green light, I started looking for a local race to run. I was happy to find one that I was genuinely excited about – the LaDainian Tomlinson 5K.


For those of you not familiar, LaDainian Tomlinson (aka “LT”) is a former running back for the San Diego Chargers. He is very well-respected for his work both on the playing field and in the community. The proceeds from this race were geared towards his charitable Touching Lives Foundation. I am all for running a race that goes towards a good cause!


On Saturday morning, I was awake before sunrise, well before my alarm clock went off. (Ahh, the benefits of operating on Pacific Standard Time when your body is still used to Central Time!) I eventually downed a bowl of cereal and got dressed. Then, Adam and I drove to NTC Park in Point Loma, a scenic waterfront park where the race was taking place. It is also the site of a former naval training center.

NTC Park

Me in front of the starting line

After picking up my race packet, I ran a mile and a quarter to warm up. I tried some acceleration gliders in the end, and felt pretty good.

I had been torn on whether or not to attempt a PR at this race. The organizers were actually giving out finisher medals to all participants! Having previously only ever received medals for races 10 miles or longer, I thought it would be awesome to coincide a new 5K PR with this medal. I decided it might be worth a shot.

LT got on the microphone and addressed the crowd pre-race. After having only ever seen him on TV, it was cool seeing and hearing him up close in person. He is so normal and down-to-earth.

LT at the starting line, getting ready to send off the runners.
Source

In lieu of doing a countdown to the race start, LT sent the runners off with a football call of “Down. Set. HIKE!”

Off we went. The race started on a wide road, so initially the crowds weren’t too much of a factor. Having started so many 5Ks way too quickly in the past, I told myself to keep the initial pace down. I needed to average less than an 8:20 mile to achieve a PR. In the first few minutes, I looked down at my Garmin several times and saw that I was running between an 8:20 and an 8:30. Perfect.

Then, the course narrowed. Considerably. It went from a four-lane asphalt road to a path that could probably only fit three runners in tandem. Much of the path was bordered by bushes and flower beds, too, so it was difficult to pass anyone. I got boxed in big-time and watched my pace drop down to around 9:00.

Mile 1: 9:08

Allright, that was not the start that I wanted.

The course had re-widened and the bottleneck had eased up. Initially, part of me thought that maybe I could still PR. I struggled to do the math in my head while running. Once I realized I’d have to average an 8-minute pace for the remainder of the course, my heart sank. I didn’t have it in me that day to battle back. I started coasting a bit.

I began looking around at my fellow runners, noticing all the Chargers jerseys and paraphernalia being worn. I paid attention to the gorgeous scenery along the course, plus all the military artifacts throughout the park.

We went over the Halsey Road Bridge during the second mile. It was a nice, solid incline. 

This picture does NOT do the incline justice.

My calves began burning. I considered dropping down to a walk but ultimately refused. My body protested with a small knot of abdominal pain. Just in case I had any notions of still trying to PR, the bridge definitely quashed them all.

After cresting the incline, I tried to relax as I ran down the decline. Then I grimaced at the gravitational pressure on my legs. 

No rest for the weary. As soon as we crossed the bridge, the course made a 180-degree hairpin turn and headed right back over the bridge again.

Mile 2: 9:24

Grrrr. OK, let's just keep this a good effort.

The course was filled with turns. We ran past the USS Recruit ship, which is a model of a Navy ship that was used for training purposes:


I was still resigned and trying to ignore the pain in my abdomen. Thankfully it was fading somewhat. 

I didn’t want to run a positive split. Somehow that thought was enough to stoke my motivation. Around Mile 2.25, I started speeding up. I ignored everything else on the course but the course tangents and the people that I was trying to pass. I cut a couple of corners along the course to make passing easier.

Mile 3: 8:06

My Garmin actually calculated my third mile a little short. Those corners added up more than I had anticipated!

Thank God for being able to see the finish line. As I was sprinting to the end, I realized that I actually had more left in the tank than expected (this is both good and bad). Adam took this picture of me shortly before I crossed the finish line:


Mile 3.1: 0:46.

My official time was 27:24. I wasn't ecstatic. I had definitely been hoping to do better than that. But, it was still nice to add to my medal collection:

I'll take it!!!

Time to go check out the post-race party. There was a very extensive array of refreshments. In addition to the usuals like bananas, bagels, muffins, and water, there were Core Power milkshakes, Pop Chips, Honest Tea, Arctic Zero frozen treats, Kind granola bars, Chick Fil-A giveaways, and lots of other food samples. Very cool!

LT and a few other Chargers players had a booth set up to sign autographs. Folks started lining up in droves over an hour before the booth was even scheduled to open.

Source 

Since the line was so long, I opted to skip any autographs. Instead, I stood to the side of the booth and peered in at the action between event security personnel. Unfortunately I couldn't get any good pictures. But it was fun to see all the excited Chargers fans, especially all the kids!

All in all, even though I didn't run as well as I wanted to, I enjoyed this race. The location was beautiful and the event was filled with upbeat festivity and energy. Plus, it really was cool getting to see LaDainian Tomlinson in person.

My hat goes off to LT and his event team for putting together a really well-organized race that benefits such a good cause!

My next race: the PAWS Run For Their Lives 8K on June 21

27 comments:

  1. Holy cow! You are flying in that photo! Nice job and awesome 3rd mile! My 5k PR is 26:22 (8:30 pace) so I would need to do about the same as you need to PR. I have a 5k on Wed. I'm not in PR shape and it will be HOT but I'm going to do the best I can. 5k's are just rough!

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    1. Thanks, Amanda! It's funny, we are always our own worst enemies and I am bothered because it looks like I'm doing a massive heel strike in the photo. I've worked to try to correct my form so it's the first thing I noticed, you know?

      What 5K are you doing on Wednesday? It's an evening race, I presume? Summer races really are SO challenging. (I don't know about you, but the 5K distance is really my nemesis. I'd pick to run a half marathon over a 5K anyday!) In any event - I wish you a fantastic race and I can't wait to hear how things go!

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    2. The 5k on Wed is "Short Run on a Long Day" in Frankfort. It's a nice easy local event but since my running group is the Frankfort/New Lenox Running Club, we try to represent! :) It's fun because I know so many people there! Summer races are so hard!

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    3. And yes, an evening race! Which is weirder because you have to plan your food throughout the day!

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    4. Oooh, I love local community runs! The name "Short Run on a Long Day" is a very catchy name, too. Way to represent the FNRC and I know you'll have a blast seeing so many folks there!

      Ah yes, I actually really like evening races. This is because I generally don't enjoy setting my alarm for the crack of dawn on a weekend morning. Plus, I think evening races are so festive - they feel more like a big party! But the fueling can be really tricky, indeed. And I generally spend the entire day agonizing over every little ache and pain, too, LOL.

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  2. Emily neglected to mention that amonst all the Charger paraphanalia there was one person wearing a Pittsburgh Steeler hat ! For sunburn protection of course...

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    1. Ah yes, the sun was quite strong and you can never have too much sunburn protection. Ever!!! ;-) And I am sure that there are plenty of other Steelers fans in the area, given that you met about five Penn State alum over the weekend!

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  3. Congrats on the very strong finish! You were flyyyyyying in that photo :) sounded like a cool race/experience especially with LT and that sweet medal. San Diego is so beautiful :) glad you had a wonderful vacation! Can't wait to see you this week!!!

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    1. Thanks, Xaar! Your game face comment on FB really made me smile. =) The more that these 5Ks become my nemesis, the more that I would like to take you up on your pacer assistance offer for a true PR attempt. Let's talk about it more this weekend. Can't wait to catch up!!! Are we officially on for the dumpling house as the destination!?!?!?

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    2. Heck yes! I think I'll be able to run again soon. My PT wanted me to take off a week to let things improve even more. So a nice 5k with you would be a wonderful time :)

      Yes. We are on for dumplings this weekend :) with your race and me wanting to swim Saturday morning, I think it will work out perfect for brunch. Yummmmmm

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    3. I've been so excited to hear about all your swimming and cycling adventures! You are going to be a powerhouse once you get the go-ahead to run again. WOO HOO!!!

      Between brunch and watching the USA-Portugal game outdoors with you (SO AWESOME), I am super excited for this upcoming weekend!!!!! BTW - I meant to mention that I am loving your FB profile pics with the soccer jerseys!!!

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  4. Good effort! Don't you just hate when there's a bottle neck and people are clogging it? I never understand why in a 5K you need a running buddy ... if you're up in the front half or so of the group, run single file and RACE!! Ugh. But I'm glad you pushed yourself as much as you did. Would you do AirB&B again?

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    1. Thanks, Natalie! Yes, runners and walkers going in tandem along a narrow course can be incredibly frustrating. Same situation when you're driving down the highway and the lanes merge, and/or when cars are driving in tandem so you can't pass. Road rage all the way, just in different backdrops! LOL

      Yes, I would do AirBNB again. In this instance, the value proposition was SO much better than staying at a hotel, with a more personal touch. I thought it was very well worth it! Have you ever done AirBnB, yourself?

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    2. I haven't, I'm a little nervous to try it. But I agree - it's a great value!

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    3. I'd be more than happy to share more details on the experience with you! Just let me know. =)

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  5. Beautiful pics and nice negative splits! That bridge incline would not be conducive to a 5k PR. I guess most places other than the Midwest/Plains have hilly courses. It looks like you are flying in that last picture! :)

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    1. Thanks, Pete! OMG, that bridge killed me. Just killed me. My Midwestern flatlander-ness was on full display there. I think you are absolutely correct, it seems like anytime I run a race outside of the Chicagoland area, I get plagued by traipsing hills (or inclines, as the local folks who are, uh, more used to the terrain refer to them, LOL). I was thinking about your Indy race when you factored in the course-specific challenges for your target splits (SO SMART!). I need to start planning more like you do!!! =)

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  6. You need to blow up that pic as it is awesome! I agree: SD is a wonderful city. Glad you found a race there. With swag no less!

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    1. Thanks, Marcia! The post-race food at this race was definitely some of the best I've ever seen. I would say it even surpassed the Rock N Roll races in terms of offerings!

      I can't wait to hear more about your weight-lifting challenge in the coming weeks. =)

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  7. Don't be hard on yourself about the finish time. I think that's a good showing considering the narrow course and uphill followed by more uphill! Plus, your last mile was crazy fast. That's a great shot of your flying to the finish.

    I've yet to visit San Diego, but it's definitely somewhere I want to hit up. Since it's so close to El Paso (I think it takes 12 hours-ish to drive there), I'm hopeful that Stephen and I can enjoy a long weekend there in the near future.

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    1. Awww, thanks for the kind words on my post-mortem thoughts, Amy. You made me feel better!

      Oh my goodness, I think you and Stephen would LOVE San Diego! It seems to be a very pet-friendly city, too. I saw tons of folks walking around with their dogs! So I bet G-Mo would enjoy visiting, as well. =) I remember you mentioning that you and Stephen were talking about post-deployment vacation options, and I would definitely endorse adding San Diego to your list for consideration! How is that discussion of vacation destinations going for y'all, btw?

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  8. Well, if that picture doesn't do the bridge justice, I don't think I want to know how awful it actually was! That looks pretty darn steep to me, and to have to run it twice -- yikes! You'd have to be a superhero to PR on that kind of course, at least if you've trained in Chicago. Even though things didn't go quite as you hoped, it sounds like you had a pretty good time overall -- and it's always fun to run a race somewhere other thank the Lakefront Trail ;)

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    1. Bethany, YES, thank you for being so understanding! What is it with these hills and inclines? My runner friends that train in cities with more, uh, interesting terrain all laugh at me for how much these hills impact me. They say that Midwestern running is boring. Well hey - I LIKE BORING! BORING IS GOOD! =P

      Believe it or not, I actually don't get out to the lakefront trail that much! But even so, I still do prefer races that don't go on the path. Funny how that works, eh?

      I am wishing you a speedy recovery from the tingling and numbness in your foot!!!

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  9. Ahh! I love San Diego! And it's awesome that you found a local race. I definitely need to do more of that when I travel. Anyway, congrats! You are speedy in my book!

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    1. Meghan! Yay for San Diego! When was the last time you visited? I bet Layla would love the zoo. =)

      Yes, it's become a habit for me to try to find a local race every time I travel somewhere now! I have the goal in the back of my mind that I want to run a race in all 50 of the states. So far I've crossed off a grand total of six. I have a REALLY long ways to go, LOL.

      Thank you for the kind words on my race. =)

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  10. Love that photo of you at the end!

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