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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2

race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2

August 8, 2013      24 Comments

Yesterday, I shared the Fun Run portion of the Dailey’s 5K Stadium Challenge. You can check out the recap here.

Now, on to the rest of the evening.

As we were waiting for little man and J, I started to get anxious. Really anxious. It was hot and I was definitely feeling it, even just standing there. When the announcer called for the next wave (the walk/run participants), I started to think maybe I should just go ahead and join that group and get it over with. I knew I would be walking parts of this race anyway, why not do it with like minded people?

But then I would miss little man coming over the finish line, and you know, mommy guilt and all that. So I resisted the urge.

Once little man and J were through their wave, we set up some chairs in the shaded area under the stadium and prepared to wait.

We took some pictures.

And I worked like a madwoman at staying hydrated. I had eaten a rice cake with peanut butter before we left the house, but that was a long time ago and nerves and heat were starting to wreak havoc. I was getting shaky and queasy, so after some watermelon Nuun, I went for a banana and a little Gatorade. When the 7:30 wave set out, I again considered tagging along, but the sun was still a deterrent, and I tried to tell myself that one more hour would be ok.

As we waited, Devon, of The Food Bitch Blog, showed up. She hung out with us a bit and we chatted about football and we took more pictures.

In fairness, there was a band set up on the stage across from the stadium and there were some huge inflatables for the kids to play in, but no one wanted to go out in the sun if we didn’t have to, so we just stayed put.

And then, finally, it was 8:20 and time to line up. We grabbed iPods and phones, straightened shoelaces, hit the bathroom one last time and got little man and J set up with a spot at the finish line.

The sky was gorgeous.

An announcer outlined the course, although we couldn’t really hear him, and decided we would go with the plan of “follow the herd and hope for volunteers along the way.”

One last picture before we headed out.

The gun sounded and we were off. There weren’t a lot of runners, but it was crowded, and I felt really boxed in. As a result, Devon and I started way faster than either of us expected or wanted. I think we were looking at about an 8:30, which was absolutely unsustainable for me. We were running on grass and trying to get out of the crush of runners, while slowing down. It was part exciting and part aggravating.

We finally made it back to some pavement, when I got hit with a ripping cramp under my rib cage and across my abdomen. I’ve never had one anything like it and it literally took my breath away. I tried to stretch through it, but I couldn’t shake it, and so I told Devon I would catch up and kept trying to work it out.*  I was so upset and embarrassed. I knew I was going to have to walk some of this race, but I didn’t intend for it to happen before the one mile mark.

The course took us around the outside of Everbank Field, down through the parking lot to one of the outlying streets for an out and back, and then back through the parking lot towards the stadium and the ramps. Once I got the pain to ease off a little, I was able to run again and made it to the first set of ramps.

Here is where my bridge training came in handy. I was able to get up the first six ramps to the top of the stadium, pretty much running the whole thing. It was a  mighty effort, and it was so nice to hear the volunteer stationed at the top concourse say “Welcome to the top of the world!” The views were fantastic.

Once I was up, I set my stopwatch to intervals for the duration of the race. I figured at this point, with the exception of the upcoming downhills, this would be the best way to get me through the finish line.

After the six ramps up, we traveled down the concourse a little ways, where I caught up with Mr PugRunner. We were side by side for a bit and then I lost him as I headed down three ramps. We continued around the stadium, before going back up the three ramps to the top on the opposite side, and then down six to the ground. I took my time on the downhills. They were steep and it would have been very easy to trip or lose my footing, and the last thing I needed was an injury.

I had only see one mileage sign along the way (mile #1), but I knew we had to be close. We followed the walkway around a little bit more and then we were on the football field, under the stadium lights. It took me the the length of the field to figure out if I wanted to be on the grass or on the gravel next to the field.

Horrifyingly, as I got to the first corner, I felt the same pang of nausea that I got in my first race. I had been very careful this race, not taking anything to drink at the water stops, and making sure there was something, but not too much something, in my tummy. I told myself I was absolutely NOT going to have a repeat of Memorial Day’s embarrassment. Not only was I in plain sight of three photographers, the finish line was a narrow chute, with absolutely nowhere to go once I got out. I dug in and plastered a smile on my face.

I was going to finish without incident, no matter what.

Before I knew it, I was around that last corner and heading for the finish line.

Mr PugRunner was just a few seconds behind me, finishing to cheers from his biggest fan.

The family that runs together, smiles post-race together.

I crossed the line at 38:08. About five minutes slower than my first race. But considering that I am not even six weeks post-surgery, I’m ok with it. My goal was to come in under 40 minutes, and I did. I have room for improvement and I know where I can make adjustments:

1. Get my anxiety under control. I am not good at waiting. If we need to be at a race early, I need to figure out how to bring a book or something to keep my mind off of what is going on. I am awful at things like yoga or meditating, so I’m going to need some kind of alternate distraction.

2. Don’t get caught up in the opening rush. I was happy with my physical start position, pretty much right in the middle, but I need to slow down. There is just no way that I can keep up that kind of pace, especially now, and it’s no good tanking early.

3. For a night race, I need to take a nap. We get up early in the morning, and after a full day, that 8:30 start time was just too late. This is something I’m definitely going to have to keep in mind for Tower of Terror, with its 10:00 PM start.

4. Try to train on different terrains. We went from pavement to grass to gravel to turf. It was a bit of a shock to my legs, because I am really used to running on asphalt. I’m not entirely sure where to find trails around here, but it would be beneficial to do some runs on other surfaces.

All in all, it was a good night. I enjoyed the race, although I wish some elements had been a little more streamlined. The venue was great, the volunteers were wonderful and encouraging. There was some nice entertainment for spectators and runners who were waiting for their wave to start. Most of all, I’m glad I was able to get back out there, no matter how discouraged I’ve felt.

How do you handle night races?

How do you manage the seemingly endless time waiting around for a start time if you need to be at a race early?

*PS. About that cramp? Well, considering that I am still sore in that area today, it seems like I actually pulled or strained something. While it wasn’t a welcome event, it makes me feel a lot better about that particular challenge.

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Comments

  1. Diana says

    August 8, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    Sounds like it was a good night, even with all of the minor annoyances. Sorry you pulled something, that’s no fun! =( I hope it’s feeling better soon!
    Diana recently posted…Book Learnin’My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 8, 2013 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks. It’s definitely eased up a little, but I can still feel it if I turn wrong. I’m sure it will be fine. Just unexpected and certainly unwelcome.
      runswithpugs recently posted…race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2My Profile

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth says

    August 8, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    LOVE your family pic! That is so cute!!
    Night races are hard. You’ve had all day to get to the point of not feeling it. Looks like you guys made the best of it though!
    Elizabeth recently posted…Thankful Thursday – Coffee!My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 8, 2013 at 2:26 pm

      I really wasn’t expecting to hit a wall like that. The adrenaline was pumping all day and by about 7:30, all I wanted was to go home and go to bed. It’s very interesting how all these extenuating circumstances can mess with your head.

      Reply
  3. Amanda @ There Are 2 Sides says

    August 8, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    I have run a few night races and I prefer them actually. No that I mind day/morning races at all, but night is fun!
    Great family picture, too!
    Amanda @ There Are 2 Sides recently posted…Evening Workouts for the Win.My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 8, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      Night races are definitely fun, but it’s just a different mindset, especially when you are used to working out in the morning and earlier hours. I’m glad I got a taste of it before Tower of Terror. It definitely gives me a heads up on how to effectively prepare.

      Reply
  4. Christy @My Dirt Road Anthem says

    August 8, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    I have never done a night race, except for Hood to Coast relay and found it hard to deal with when to eat. Sorry about your side ache, but great job for only 6 weeks post surgery! lots of great pictures too!
    Christy @My Dirt Road Anthem recently posted…Three Things ThursdayMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 8, 2013 at 4:49 pm

      The eating thing was definitely a challenge. It’s a very fine line between the right way and the wrong way, and I don’t want to be on the wrong side ever.

      I wish I had done a little better, but I beat the goal I set and I need to move on to the next goal.

      Reply
  5. Sarah @ Sweet Miles says

    August 8, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    Oh YAY! Way to go!!! Even though it was tough, you powered through it and did it!! 🙂 That race looks like fine, but definitely tough! Ya’ll are adorable!!
    Sarah @ Sweet Miles recently posted…Hiking Pinnacle MountainMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 9, 2013 at 12:54 am

      Thank you! It was certainly tough, but I’m so happy we did it! Next year, I’m shaving at least 8:00 off my time!
      runswithpugs recently posted…race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2My Profile

      Reply
  6. Tammy says

    August 8, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    Night races aren’t my fav at all.. just harder for the body to adjust. And all your food/liquid from the day has been consumed.
    I always feel like I have way more energy for the early races.
    Just make sure you hydrate, hydrate, hydrate- esp in hot sunny FL 🙂
    Love the pics, they are super cute.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 9, 2013 at 12:56 am

      Good luck at yours tomorrow. I know you’re going to do great, even if it is night!
      runswithpugs recently posted…race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2My Profile

      Reply
  7. Mer says

    August 8, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    Beautiful family picture! Hope you’re feeling better now – cramps are the worst and muscles strains are even more difficult. <3
    Mer recently posted…Parental Advisory (Explicit Content Requested)My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 9, 2013 at 12:57 am

      I am feeling a lot better, thank you. It’s a little tender, but nothing that’s holding me back. It was really upsetting to have that happen, but I’m lucky it wasn’t worse and that I was able to keep going.
      runswithpugs recently posted…race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2My Profile

      Reply
  8. Mindy @ Road Runner Girl says

    August 8, 2013 at 7:17 pm

    Sounds like an awesome and challenging race! Congrats!!! And I love that all your family runs together! Awesome!!!
    Mindy @ Road Runner Girl recently posted…Summer Vacation: Legoland Part 2!My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 9, 2013 at 12:56 am

      I love that we run together, too. My husband and I have very different interests, and even though he isn’t into the idea of running anything more than 5Ks (or maybe 10Ks), it’s really great to have something we can do together. And I love that our son is enjoying it, too.
      runswithpugs recently posted…race report: dailey’s 5k stadium challenge – part 2My Profile

      Reply
  9. Ari @ The Pace of it All says

    August 9, 2013 at 2:13 am

    Way to push through it and finish it! And oh my word, love that finish line photo of you! you look so proud. 🙂
    Ari @ The Pace of it All recently posted…SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener Review.My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 9, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      😀 I was pretty proud. It was tough and I didn’t give up.
      runswithpugs recently posted…friday facts & weekly recapMy Profile

      Reply
  10. Matilda says

    August 9, 2013 at 2:33 am

    Well done, you did it in a great time too, you should be happy with that.
    Anxiety can be the better of us. I tip I have found helpful is listening to classical music. That or sitting down and just zoning out.
    Matilda recently posted…Something NewMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 9, 2013 at 2:46 pm

      Zoning out is so hard!

      But that’s a great tip on the classical music. I think I am going to load some up for next time.
      runswithpugs recently posted…friday facts & weekly recapMy Profile

      Reply
  11. Debbie @ DebRuns says

    August 9, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    Great recap, and you did amazingly well considering you are only six weeks post-surgery! Now I understand why you talked about your bridge training. If the ramps are anything like the ones in Lane Stadium that was one difficult 5K. Go you!!!

    I’ve only run in one evening race. We have a few, but not a lot around here. I don’t do well going for my runs later in the day, let alone racing.
    Debbie @ DebRuns recently posted…Exploring While on Beach Runs and WalksMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 9, 2013 at 2:48 pm

      Thank you! The ramps were probably very similar to Lane Stadium, and they were super steep and slippery. Rumor has it there are some overpass ramps on the Tower of Terror course, so it will help being prepared for those as well.
      runswithpugs recently posted…friday facts & weekly recapMy Profile

      Reply
  12. Andrea says

    August 16, 2013 at 2:59 am

    Great race! About the cramp–I had that happen the second time I ever ran just a miler this past summer–I was trying to see how fast I could do it. And I did it fast (for me) but I got a horrible side cramp, right at the bottom of my ribs. And the muscle there hurt for days!
    Andrea recently posted…Recipe- Potato-Crusted Fish and Fresh BroccoliMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      August 16, 2013 at 9:55 am

      AWFUL! It’s so annoying when everything is going well and you get derailed by something like that 🙁

      Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
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