So when I initially signed up for the Tufts 10K for Women, I thought, How convenient! It’s the weekend before my half marathon, when I need to be tapering anyway! I’ll just go into thinking of it as an easy training run. I just want to finish strong, I don’t have a time goal.
Yeah, right.
I met up on a crisp but sunny fall morning with my friends J and K (who are also running Sunday’s half marathon with me) and we hopped the train into Boston for the race, comparing notes about time goals and paces and discussing logistics for next weekend.
It was during one of these conversations that I realized I am so full of it, and that I really wanted to run a GOOD race … and maybe even beat last year’s time of 54:38.
Last year, I dragged Dr. G. and the kiddos to the Boston Common for the race, and I loved having their support, but I’ve come to realize that it is really fun racing with friends (I can’t believe it took an entire year to figure this out!). No more lonely runner here.
The only downside to not having the husband there was that I had to check my bag (the first time I’ve ever had to do that before at a race!), but that went smoothly, as did on-site number pick-up. In fact, the Tufts race has some of the smoothest race day logistics; I got my bib right away, grabbed my City Sports drawstring bag (love these) and my race T (long-sleeve tech shirt …. score!).
We had a lot of time to kill, so the three of us posed for silly pictures, poked around the little expo before the race, stretched and chatted.
When it was finally time to line up, we put ourselves at the front of the 9 minute pace group. In retrospect, I wonder if I should have gone in the middle of the 8 minute group, like I did last year, because the congestion once the race started was far worse.
But we were off, and I was reminded again just how much I love running in Boston. I may be a bit biased, but there is just something so … I don’t know … Bostonian about running along Memorial Drive and the Charles, with the river full of rowers, and trees in varying shades of red, orange and gold dotting the shores. Aside from the temperature (sunny and 60 degrees, so a little on the warm side), it was a quintessential — and gorgeous — fall New England day.
I wish I had more of a detailed, mile-by-mile recap, but honestly, there isn’t much to report. I ran the whole race at a pretty even and relatively easy pace (hovering between 8:45-8:55 min/mile) and was able to kick it up a bit at the end to finish at 55:24, 387/1721 in my age group and less than a minute off last year’s time — and my 10K PR — of 54:38. Considering I’ve been focusing more on endurance rather than speed in training for my half, I was pretty pleased with this.
But I did try a few different things for this race:
- I ran with my Nathan handheld water bottle, which I use during my long runs but have never raced with. I mostly decided to give it a go because I like that it has a place to store keys, etc., and it worked out well. It was definitely nice being able to avoid the water stops.
- Since the race has a 12pm start time (which I always find a bit brutal and difficult to plan for, fuel-wise), I decided to be a bit smarter this year and had regular snacks all morning, including a banana about 1.5 hrs before race time and 3 Clif Shot Bloks (cherry chocolate flavor, yum!) 15 minutes before start time. I definitely did not experience the crash I felt last year around mile 5, and definitely had enough energy to sprint a bit toward the finish line.
We all finished in under an hour, and feeling pleased (and proud) of ourselves, we decided we mommas needed a celebratory beer or two … or three. We walked over to the 21st Amendment in Beacon Hill (so nice to stretch our legs) and enjoyed every last sip of our Shipyard Pumpkin ales (in a cinammon-sugar rimmed glass, of course).
So now I’m on to the Baystate Half Marathon in four days, which I’m also running with these two lovely ladies, along with a few other friends. As I wrote in my half marathon recap post back in the spring, I think it would have been pretty lonely waiting around by myself before the start of such a big race (one benefit of getting stuck in traffic and showing up 5 minutes before race time). This time around, I’m excited to have some company 🙂
Since I had such a good experience with the Shot Bloks, I’m thinking about using them, rather than my Cliff Shot Gel, on Sunday even though I used the Gels during my training runs and during my last half. Or maybe I’ll do one Gel, and 3 Shot Bloks??? Decisions, decisions.
Runners: What are you using for fuel these days on your long runs? Gels, bloks, candy, something else?
Julia Magnusson (@notlikeacat) says
Nice job!
I can’t deal with the shot blocks–too big, too chewy, and I hate the way they get stuck in my teeth. I usually use gels (but haven’t used them this training period) or sport jellybeans. Or gummy bears! Those are my favorite–easy to eat, not too chewy, etc. Plus I can pop one into my mouth whenever I get a little bored or need some distraction.
Glad to hear that about the Nathan. I don’t want to wear my Fuel Belt for my half this weekend (1 water stop), but my own handheld is kind of clunky. Maybe I’ll pick up a Nathan by this weekend. I’m running the TARC Fall Classic trail half marathon. Good luck with Bay State!
Jessica says
I’ve heard lots of people recommend gummy bears! Maybe I’ll have to try that next year when I start training again – I love an excuse to eat candy. I’ve never seen sport jellybeans, and I’m a jellybean fanatic … I’ll have to be on the lookout! Good luck w/your trail race!! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Erin says
I admire you. My boobs are too big to run unless it is for my life. Are there any run/walks, with strong emphasis on WALKING? Ain’t nobody got time for me to run with these boulders. Maybe I should start a walk for women with boobs to big to run.. “Run to end future back problems” lol. Great job!!!
Jessica says
Thanks, Erin 😉 Ahh, I know LOTS of other ladies in the same boat as you. At the Tufts race, there was a good mix of walkers, some doing a walk/run, and runners. I’ve found that local 5Ks (especially those that are also local fundraisers) are terrific for walkers; our town has one in the spring that’s a PTO fundraiser and you have people of all ages coming out to support the cause, including lots of kids, moms pushing babies in strollers, walkers, etc. That might be a good place to start?
Heather @ Kraus House Mom says
Congratulations on a successful run, good luck on the next one.
Nicole@RunningWhileMommy says
Nice recap! I love my Nathan handheld but only use it for runs under an hour. It get tiresome to hold, for me, any longer than that.
I have been using Cliff Shots since that is what they will have on the course at Philly. So far so good. I am not a gummy food lover so I have not tried the shot blocks. Might give it a whirl through.
Kristin Wheeler (@MamaLuvsBooks) says
AWESOME! So proud of you! Great job!!!