Run Review: Whooping Crane Strut

Today, I ran a local 10k known as the Whooping Crane Strut. The run is an annual affair held in the Rockport Beach Park. The scenery was similar to the Surfside atmosphere, and the weather was just as windy if not windier. The temperature was mild and perfect for running. Lots of clouds to obscure direct sunlight was nice too. The course was entirely pavement. There was a 2 mile walking course, and a 5k that split off from the 10k. Josh and Mom walked the 2m.

Pre-Race

We arrived at the Beach Park at 7 am to pick up our registration packets. For $20, your registration gets you a t-shirt and a cardboard coaster. (I’m actually still in awe of the Surfside goodie bags, by the way!) We walked around a bit, stretched, I charged up my iPod in the car, and we drank some coffee and water.

The Run

For the run itself, they had us line up with the runners in the front, walkers in the back. I put myself in the middle of the runners pack. Most of the first 4 miles of the 10k were facing the wind, and this made the run pretty tough. I was wearing a cap (lesson learned from Surfside) but the wind was so strong, I had to run with one hand up holding the hat a good portion of the first 4 miles. The first two miles felt alright, but I had to make a conscious effort to keep up a good pace. Miles three and four were tougher. By that point, my pace was starting to wear me out a bit, and I was really sweating. My mind started playing psychological tricks on me telling me to slow down or walk. Another part of me was complaining about how long the course felt, even though this 10k is considerably less than the 26m of a couple weeks ago. I fought a bit of mental battle today to keep on going, and a physical battle since I was running at a slightly faster pace than usual. Miles five and six were much easier. I had hit my stride at the mile 4 turnaround. The wind was with me due to a turnaround as well. Some nice volunteers at the turnaround cheered me on, and really lifted my mood. I made sure to cheer on the other runners afterward to pay that forward.

The last half mile....... I should begin with a little back history that I have a strange little irk about people who run behind you an entire course and then sprint past you at the finish line. I always try to run at the same pace, or just try to compete with myself without regard for those around me. I don’t know what it was about today, but it felt like the day that I wouldn’t let that happen. Don’t ask me why. I don’t know. So, with half a mile to go, I thought, I can’t let someone who is right behind me beat me, I need to sprint like mad to the finish line. So I did. And immediately I knew it was a bad idea. My heartrate skyrocketed, my stomach was gurgling with water from the last hydration station. But I had already gained momentum and committed to this. By the time I hit the finish line with Josh and his mom and dad cheering, I was dry heaving.... (I’m a real class act, I know) and I basically dry-heaved at sprint speed over the finish line. How raunchy would that have been if I barfed across the finish line? Eww. Anyways, that did not happen. And I learned my lesson. I need to run for me. I need to run at my own pace. I also learned that I can probably push myself harder than I have been.... but I should do it during training. Rather than gargling my heart and my breakfast at the end of a run.

Overall, the race was a lovely course, with friendly runners and good organization. I had an excellent time, and I would definitely like to do this run again in the future.

Gear

I didn’t get around to trying out my new running shoes last week, so I ran in my old ones. Even as I ran, I could tell they were not as supportive as they needed to be. I’ll be swapping out for the new shoes the next time I run. Also, I used my new wicker socks and they were quite good. I did get one blister, but that may have been due to the shoes rather than the socks.

Lessons Learned

- Run for ME. At my own pace.

- Charge iPod before race. I checked my iPod an hour before the run and it said there was 1/3 battery left. Somehow within a matter of seconds, the battery went in the red. Luckily this time I was able to run to the car to charge, but better not to risk it.

- Make sure to break in some new shoes before a race.