Race Recap: Defenders Dash 11k

Saturday was a day of firsts for me: I ran a mile warm up before my 11k this morning.  I have never run a warm up of any significant distance before a race.   And then I followed the race up with a mile cool-down.  If only I had stretched, I could call myself a serious athlete.

When I was planning out my marathon training, this week called for a 5k or 10k.   Last year, I ran the Defender Dash 5k, this year they offered an 11k.  I decided it would fit perfectly into my training schedule.   I love this race because its a "race to honor" those who defend and protect (be it military, police, etc).  Being that my dad served in the ARMY, I find it really important to show those who serve and protect how much we appreciate what they do.

The line up was kind of tricky, the 5k and 11k went off at the same time but we were lined up behind the 5kers.  They told us that we would get a seperate horn for our start but that it would be at the same time as the 5k.  Unfortunately, the horn didn't go off as it should have for us so I stort of "stuttered" my start... this will be important later.

Waving to Natalie as she cheers me on!

I started off strong, but tried to remind myself this wasn't a 5k.  It is always easy to get caught up in the excitement of the race and go out too strong.  I felt confident though, and I didn't feel like I was going too fast.  Then I saw my mile 1 split and I knew I had to slow down.  Miles 2 and 3 rolled on by, I was loving my position in the race and I just couldn't seem to bring the pace down.  I was running with/slightly behind a group of 4-5 guys, and there were 3-4 people in front of them and then there was me - so I was holding about 10th place and I was the second female.

Mile 1: 8:02
Mile 2: 7:54
Mile 3: 8:04

Then it hit me, my stomach was revolting against me.  I kind of predicted this before the race, I just knew when I woke up my stomach wasn't going to be kind.  Despite the Immodium my stomach was cramping and I wasn't sure I was going to make it.  Miles 4 and 5 were a combination of me pushing myself as hard as I could for as long as I could and then walking to cope with cramps.  I knew I was falling behind the leaders, but at this point I was still in about 10th place and the second place female.... I was confident that I could hold onto that.

Mile 4: 8:52
Mile 5: 8:51

Then mile 6 hit and I truly for the first time ever in my running career was searching for grass tall enough that I could duck off the course.   I suppose I should be embarassed to admit that, but I think it speaks volumes for how badly I was suffering.  And, it makes me proud to know that I pushed through it and finished the race, even if the last 1.85 miles required much more walking than I was okay with.  Even if I watched not one or two, but four women plus one guy pass me in the last mile or so.  I crossed the finish line and that was a huge victory given the circumstances!

Mile 6: 9:54
Mile 6.85: 8:21 (9:50 pace)

Garmin Time: 59:59 - thats my story and I am sticking to it!
Official time: 1:00.01.9 - this was gun time (remember that "stutter start"... it cost me)

"Finishers Medal"

My age group "coin" for 1st place

Overall: 16/ 42
**First in age group**

The truth is I wasn't sure what to expect.  I ran 13.1 miles the weekend before and I just wasn't feeling in the groove of the race.  I allowed myself to set an "easy goal" of wanting to finish in 1:10 or less, but I knew I really wanted to finish in under an hour.    I missed that goal unfortunately, but I know on that day I gave it everything I had and I couldn't have done much better.   When you nearly "toss your cookies" on the person cutting the timing chip off your shoe you know finished with everything you had...

I wish I could have done better, and in hindsight I do wonder if I had gone out slightly slower those first miles if I couldn't have done a bit better over all.  However, you can't redo a race.. just hope to learn something from this one and move forward!



Would I recommend this race?  ABSOLUTELY!  And here's why.. 
  - awesome race swag: NICE reusable back sack, Ellison cookies (a full pack, from a local bakery and they are YUMMY), "finishers medal" for 11k, nice tech tee (though I doubt that is a womens cut, which they advertised!), age group awards 3 deep in both races
  - well organized, all the volunteers were nice and very encouraging
  - love finishing under the American flag
  - money goes to a great cause
  - its a "challenging" course for the area, you don't get many chances to run hills around here (215 ft gained over 7 miles... pathetic to most of you, but for us Hoosier... challenging!)
  - great post race spread: TONS of water, gatorade, oranges, apples, bananas and granola bars

New 5k PR!

I need to post about my long run yet this weekend, but this is far more interesting.  I ran the Defenders Dash this morning here in town.  I went into today's run with no plans to PR, I wanted to run a strong but cautious race and knew that the course had some decent hills.  I told Tommy that I was hoping to finish at about 25:30 or 26:00 - that would have been considered a success for me.

Instead:  I finished in 23:43.7 - 7:36 min/mile - holy crap where did that speed come from?!?!

FIRST IN MY AGE GROUP!

4th woman to finish

13th person overall to finish (of 127ish?)

I ran this race in honor of my dad, who served our country for roughly 20 years in the US ARMY.  I honestly think he will be a soldier at heart for life though.  Since retiring, he has been doing contract work for the military.   This race was called the Defenders Dash.  It was done in memory of  September 11th.   You could purchase signs for people you wished to honor and all proceeds will go to a charity to help those in the military.  I decided to buy a sign in honor of my dad. It was neat to run the beginning and end of the race and to see all of the signs of those who have served or are currently serving in the military, fire department, police department, etc. At the right is a picture of me and my baby girl with the sign.


I lined up at the beginning of the pack because I noticed there weren't mats to start the timing chips so I knew that I would lose time if I didn't start right at the front.  I went out too fast and I knew it, but no matter how much I told myself I needed to slow down I hated feeling people pass me.  So, I kept it up as long as I could. The first mile felt easy especially given the pace I was running at.  At one point I passed an older gentleman and he looked over and said "there goes #4 and #5... woman #3 is up there... go get her."  This was extremely motivational for me, so I pulled ahead of the other girl I was running with and set my sights on woman #3.

I feel like I look fierce here - does that make me cocky?

However, the hills on Covington were less than friendly and I was feeling like I was going to die by the time I hit Homestead.  But, seeing my time at the halfway mark kept me moving forward.  Instead of walking (which I wanted to badly), I put my head down and tried to keep moving my legs as fast as I could.  I wanted that PR, I could taste it!  Woman #3 was getting further and further ahead of me but I didn't have anything left to give so I just kept plugging along.  Seriously, I was SO glad to see the corner of Aboite and Covington - I tried to put it into high gear.  Not that high gear was as fast as usual by this point, but I pushed as fast as I could and even "skirted" a guy right before I crossed the finish line!  I loved that they had it set up to run under an American flag to finish!

As mentioned above - I placed first in my age group. I had won overall female once before but wasn't proud of that run and it was such a small race, so this "win" meant alot more to me. Sorry that means you guys have to suffer through more pictures! hah

As per usual, my elevation/pace chart and splits are below.  I was disappointed by the fact that these splits were exactly the opposite of negative splits, but I can't be too mad given my slowest mile was still sub 8:00.  Unfortunately though, it wasn't the race plan I had in my mind - hopefully I will be able to hold back at the beginning for Fort 4 Fitness.

And now, miscellaneous pictures from the race.  But first, I need to give credit to my Mom, Lora, over at Notes from the Scrapbooklady for creating the image that I used on my shirt for this race.  She actually created the image to cut with her new cutting machine, but I decided after seeing it that it would make the perfect addition to my race ensemble so I borrowed it and made a t-shirt transfer out of it.  She is way more crafty than I will ever be, so definitely check her out if you are the crafty type! 

Last but not least, I feel like it is absolutely necessary that I review the race since it was the first year they held this race.  I have to say that the race was very well organized.  It took less than 2 minutes to pick up my packet and goody bag.  They also had race day registration (with plenty of t-shirts).  I was also able to buy the sign for my dad this morning, took all of 2-3 minutes to do that.  All of the volunteers were very friendly.  The race did start a few minutes late, but that doesn't bother me at all.  They had the military guys blocking off the streets which us which was neat.  In addition they played the National Anthem before the race which I have never seen before, I LOVED that!  And last but not least, they played "Eye of the Tiger" just as we started the race which was a great motivator for me... that song always makes me run faster!

 There was a water station and a clock stationed halfway through the race.  They had PLENTY of water, gatorade and food at the end of the race - they never ran out, which I hear can happen frequently. They had bananas, mini bagels and peanut butter, and these really yummy nature valley granola thins (they had peanut butter and chocolate varieties, I tried the peanut butter but I am sure the chocolate are equally fantastic).

Last but not least, let's talk about the race swag.  The t-shirt is a lovely women's cut tech tee.  The color is a very light grey - I might have made it darker grey because it almost looks like dingy white, but I LOVE the shirt anyways.  In addition, we got back sacks, they are super high quality camo fabric and even have the race logo printed on them - score.  And of course there were the usual papers for future races, etc.  But, the best part?  (Or at least per hubby...) There was  a whole package of 10 cookies in the swag bag - made by a local bakery - Ellison's bakery. The flavor was apple raisan, they were soft and smelled phenomenal.  Hubby said they were awesome!

I would DEFINITELY recommend this race to everyone I know - they announced at the race that the 2nd annual Defenders Dash will take place September 8, 2012 - so if you local to the Fort Wayne area keep your eyes open for registration for this race for an awesome cause!   If I can fit it on my schedule I will be there!

ETA:  "I'm famous!"   Well, not really, but the local news station covered the race and one of the pictures they used has me in it! Check it out.