Just Book It 5k - Race Report

On Saturday, the Grayslake Running Club held their inaugural 5k which benefited the Grayslake library. A ton of work went into putting this together, and so I was really excited to see how it all played out.

I showed up at 6am for the 8am start - I didn't get to be too involved with the planning, and I had to beat it out of there right after the race, so I wanted to help as much as I could with the set up.I helped out where I could but really? They had it very under control considering it was their first time doing such an event.

Soon, blogger friends started to arrive. Kim, Erin, Lauren and Marcia would also be running, and I was stoked to see everyone (and meet Lauren for the first time). We watched the kids dash go first (so darn CUTE!) and then lined up at the start. I was already hot. And sticky. It was really really humid.

The plan was for Kim to pace me to a sub-30 minute 5k. I gave her full permission to beat me into compliance. Kim knows exactly how wimpy I can be. I promised her I trusted her and that I wouldn't look at my watch at all (I didn't want my brain to freak out into "HOLY CRAP I CAN'T DO THIS" mode - my brain is good at that). The high school choir sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and we were off and running to the high school band. There was a GREAT community turnout.

I was pretty sure I could do it. I wasn't as sure that I WOULD do it. We didn't get a chance to warm up at all, so there was that - usually my legs don't feel good until about 2 miles in. But I was pretty darn determined.

The first mile went pretty well. I walked the water stops (there were 3 I think - a lot for a 5k, but I was thankful for EACH ONE). But only briefly - I had Kim pulling me hard core.

The second mile, I started to falter. My lungs were SCREAMING at me. Kim was telling me stories and talking to get my mind off of my hurt.

The third mile sucked ass. My splits showed it too - there would be no negative split for me today. I tried a walk break or 2 (or 5) but Kim would bark, "COME ON. 4 SECONDS!" and then I was running again. (My favorite was when she was tired of my whining and snatched my water bottle out of my hand and ran off, haha!. Love her - she knew just how hard to push me).

I've never been so thankful to see a damn finish line. Racing a 5k is freaking hard! BUT. I still had a decent kick! AND. I crossed the line with a BIG PR.

28:55!!!

I was gasping. Seriously felt like I wanted to die. But I was thrilled that I'd done it.

We all had pretty good days! Lauren PR'd also, and Marcia snagged second place in her age group. I was so freaking happy to be on the first page of results (instead of the last) and actually managed 5th in my AG (and not out of 5!!)

Sweaty and done! (thanks for the pic Marcia!)

Unfortunately, I had a ridiculously busy day ahead of me, so I couldn't stay and chat very long. (Yeah - I had 2 birthday parties still to get to). But I stayed for a bit and enjoyed a freeze pop. It was so nice to get to see everyone. And the race was a smashing success (they had over 500 registrants!).

The next day (yup - ran long with Kim) Kim asked me if she thought we went out too fast (splits were 9:04, 9:06, 9:38). I assured her that we hadn't - she knows me well enough to know that I would crap out at the end, and she was building me a cushion. She ALSO said she thought I could do 27. Maybe. But right now, I don't even want to. That was effing hard.