Wednesday, July 04, 2007

I CAN Run!

My trusty reliable coach, in a supreme sacrifice, gave up his own PR and paced me to a race PR in today's challenging and HILLY CAN (Cure Autism Now) 5k.

I've done this race three years in a row, so it's great to see progress:

2005: AGE:48
TIME: 34:41 (11:10/min. miles)

2006: AGE:49
TIME: 33:42 (10:51)

July 4, 2007, AGE: 50
TIME: 32:18 (10:24)

Peter was a great pacer. I felt like Lance at NYC. He gave me a running (ha) supply of tips like "lengthen your stride," and "pump your arms" on the uphills, and "glide" on the downhills, and my personal favorite, "relax."

I grunted and said things like "Story!" which, translated, meant: tell me a story to take my mind off this. And he complied, talking about his recent relay doing 10 miles straight uphill at high altitude at Lake Tahoe. He was, however, forbidden from saying the "h" word. We don't say "hills." Ever. Got it?

He did insist on no headphones though. And you know what? That was actually nice. It does tend to make one focus.

Things were going swell the first two miles. Piece of cake! And then, eh, I had to walk a few times. But I do think I ran up every hill. And the finish is a lovely long beautiful downhill.

I still thought I would croak, throw up or pass out at the finish. (Number One Daughter accuses me of being "such a dramatic finisher." As if.) NOD also ran this morning, but gave strict instructions that we were NOT allowed to talk to her or say "good job" to or acknowledge her in any way whatsoever on the course, not even, she said, "If I pass out"). She told me afterwards that she saw me shoving little kids out of my way and that I remminded her of George Costanza trying to get out of the burning apartment. Funny, I don't remember doing any such thing.

Damn kids!

Peter has the official splits, but he said they were something like:
9:55
10:02
12:20 (ugh)

And for more comparison, (it's all about the numbers) I looked up the only other 5k I did this year, on New Year's Day, with zero training, and fewer hills:

33:01 (10:38 min. mile)

So, even though this wasn't a lifetime PR (that would be the George Washington Parkway Classic 5k in 2006: 31:08 (10:08)) I AM SO TAKING IT!

My advice is: Everyone needs a good pacer!

And, there's more! NOD got herself a PR of: 29:40 (9:33 min. mile)! Her time last year: 32:14 (10:22).

So there's some strange exchange taking place between me and NOD as I had practically the same time this year as she did last year. Hmm.

I'm off to the beach for two days of craziness. Yoga classes. Sleeping. Reading. You know, my usual hijinks.



Thanks Peter!

25 comments:

susie said...

Wahooooooooooooo Jeanne!! Way to go:) I am soooo proud of you. You have had an amazing comeback after your surgery. All I can say is : YES!!!!

21stCenturyMom said...

Pacers are awesome!! Mine would not let me slow down, let alone walk and I still blew the PR but were it not for her I would have just given it up.

Go Jeanne!

Laurie said...

Yay! Congratulations on improving your pace year after year at this race.

Happy 4th!

David said...

If Peter's not available to pace you next time, Trevor can come show you how it's done.

MNFirefly said...

Congrads, Jeanne! Awesome job!

LBTEPA said...

*LOUD APPLAUSE*
Surgery shmurgery, you are so BACK!!
have a lovely wild weekend at the beach

Nancy Toby said...

You talk about throwing up or passing out as if there's something wrong with it.

Well run!!!

Rhea said...

Good job on the race! And hope you're having a great time at the beach.

Thomas said...

Congrats! I trust this means you keep following NOD's lead and run 29:40 next year.

a.maria said...

omg what the hell!? where did that come from!?

WOMAN! that is AWESOME! i'm so proud of you.

and a teensy jealous! ;)

(especially about the beach part. hmpf.)

Larissa said...

Very Awesome race! And a well deserved recovery at the beach . . . well, I'm jealous too but very happy for you. Have a great time!

Susan said...

Fabulous!!!! Congrats!

Iron Jayhawk said...

Great race, Jeanne! I'm with you on the "h" word, too.

Want to head to Chicago and pace me?! :) I'll let ya!!!

Mmem said...

You SMOKED the run! Wow! How cool to have your own personal pacer!!!

And for such a good cause:-) Congratulations!

PS--thanks for the HH 5k plan advice, duly noted and taken!

David H. said...

Congrats on your progress. i'll be adding you to my blogs I read list on my site. I look forward to reading more!

IHateToast said...

yesterday i saw a roo whollop a 4 y.o. who had been sticking a branch in the animal's face. my stepkids told me, "that made your day." THAT'S RIGHT! poor roo. i thought this would make you happy.

how much would it cost to get a wicking shirt with the face of NOD on it? there is a bumpersticker that reads: "i embarrass my offspring."
it's you!

Jon (was) in Michigan said...

Whoohoo! Nice job, Jeanne! Nice year-over-year improvement. Gotta love that. :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats! That's awesome!

Anne said...

Just catching up and if this pace reduction pattern keeps up, I'll be catching up to you too soon. Glad Peter convinced you to chuck the headphones for a change. It really, truly makes a difference in a race where speed counts.

And NOD sounds a lot like a couple of daughters I know. What is it with these kids :-)?!

Neese said...

you are SO back! :) can't keep a good woman down that's for sure, nice job! :)

peter said...

Nice job on your first 5K back from surgery! Pacing, that's the key. Your first two miles were dead-on in your new wheelhouse zone, 10:00s, then you got a little tired in the third mile due to your long layoff. That will come with some work! Fabulous. And you saved some to smoke me by three seconds at the end. :)

Irish Blue said...

The "h" word, I love it. I mean hate it...well, you know.

Nice race!

IronWaddler said...

Great comeback. I would love to have that time.

Dori said...

Fabulous run, Jeanne. Congratulations!

Rich said...

One minute improvement per year - that's pretty good!