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Thursday, November 22, 2007

Trot 2007

Well, folks, I got close to a PR, but couldn't quite beat my previous best of 28:28. Here are the splits according to my Garmin:

Mile 1: 8:38
Mile 2: 9:27
Mile 3: 9:33
Mile .1: 0:55
Total Time: 28:33

However, there seems to be some timing discrepancy because the race clock also said 28:33 when I crossed the finish line, but the "official" chip time, according to Split Timing, was 28:43. I really don't know how my chip could be slower than the race clock -- especially since the race clock matches my Garmin time. But either way, I didn't PR -- yet, it was close. Very close.

So, on to the report, shall we? Below: Here I am after the race with Scooter (clearly he's more interested in that dirt than he is in posing for a picture). It was about 30 degrees warmer this morning than it has been for the previous two years' trots: In the previous years, the morning temps hovered around 40 degrees -- nice and cool -- but this morning it was 74 at the start, and while I don't want to make excuses for my failure to PR, I do think the temp messed with me some (I had really been hoping for a cooler morning). Standing at the start line, I could feel myself getting a little warm in my t-shirt, so I quickly made an executive decision: take it off and go in the sports bra and shorts. So, I re-pinned my bib and balled up my t-shirt. I'm glad I did this -- I'm way more comfortable in the bra and shorts. Below, I am to the far left of the racing pack. This was the beginning mile of the race, and I was feeling good and speedy. My husband didn't get a great shot because I distracted him by throwing my balled up t-shirt at him (accidentally pegged him in the face).
The race's start time got pushed back 15 minutes because of all the morning's last minute registrations (there ended up being 1400 racers -- this race gets more popular each year), so we didn't start until 7:45 so that means it was pretty warm by the end. But, this is Florida, so I guess I should expect such temps by now -- even on Thanksgiving morning. Below, I am partially concealed by someone who walked in front of my husband right when he was taking the picture, but you can still see me, right? At this point, I'm coming through the last tenth of the race, and my finish time was still a gamble. But I was also pooped here at the end, so I didn't push myself to sprint the last few meters -- perhaps I should have.
In the end, I'm disappointed that I didn't PR -- especially since I came SO close -- but there are other 5Ks out there (lots of them, actually) so I have plenty of opportunities to try for it again. And in the end, today is a day to give thanks, not to dwell on failing to beat a running record by 5 seconds. Besides, it's not a hurt that a few Bud Lights can't remedy. So...bring on the turkey! I'm ready for the holiday to get under way!

Have a great Turkey Day, everyone!

14 comments:

Erin said...

5 seconds...eh, you will beat it in the next race. Maybe if you weren't focusing on Jerry for a cute picture, you would have made it. Just kidding. The action shots are the best!

Turkeys are on, ready for your consumption in about 6 hours. Budlights...not on ice quite yet.

J~Mom said...

Who cares about the time when you look that fantastic in a running bra and shorts! :>) Your time is fantastic even if it wasn't a PR..I drool over that time!! Congrats on an awesome Turkey Trot. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Tri+Umph said...

You know, I'm not sure, but I think if you were making an expression like the guy ahead of you in the last picture, you probably would have PR'ed!

Unknown said...

Happy Thanksgiving!! You had a great run and look cute in the turquoise and red too!!

Anonymous said...

Great race. And, OMG it looks so warm - it is snowing here. Happy Turkey day.

MNFirefly said...

Oh DAMN! You are SO close. You can do it next time. You know that you can.

Wes said...

Woo hoo! Way to go Jess! Now that you are focusing on shorter quicker distances, that PR doesn't stand a chance. Tell'em to quit hidin in my closet, will ya? :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Scott McMurtrey said...

So close!!

There's two inches of snow outside my house right now. That sun down there looks beautiful. You look so happy in it. :)

Marcy said...

You're sooooo damn cute!!! How the hell can you smile so close to the finish? I always want to die when I pushing along.

brunettechicagogal said...

That sucks, but you'll get there. I'm sure in your next 5K you'll PR -- I can feel it!

runner26 said...

You and me both--missing our PR by the slightest margins. I like your attitude about it--you had a good time and you're happy about that :)
Congrats on a great race!

Laurel said...

The warmer temps make a huge difference so you can go ahead and blame them ;)

Great job on the trot! Thats a really good time even without the PR.

Mendy said...

I was gonna say something similar as Lisa. You look fantastic and what a flat belly! What's the Secret????

Great race! and think of it this way - you were 5 secs off a PR while you haven't been training for speed. That's fantastic, and means you haven't lost anything since your last 5K PR.

Love the photos too! You look so happy to be out there!

keith said...

nice job on the trot! chip time is usually different from race clock time because the chip starts timing after you pass over the mat. So depending on how far in back of the pack you were, that's the discrepancy in timing.

but who cares about all of that! you did a good job and you had good reason to celebrate your turkey day with great verve and gusto.