PTI Run the Runway 5K

Today was my 7th run of the year, a *free to me* 5K on the runway of Piedmont Triad International (PTI) airport.  With an 8:15-ish start time, it was toasty out there.  Here’s a little Seinfeld throwback for you–the heat, my God, the heat!

J had to work, but ended up being able to come and watch me, so we drove separate and had a baby-sitter for the boys at home.  He is so supportive and wonderful!!  Held my phone and water, and we each got to meet some of each other’s co-workers, which was cool!

I had a rough night’s sleep with Gabe coming into our bed, and woke up at 5 to eat breakfast.  I didn’t feel like my breakfast had fully digested by 8 AM, and I took my Immodium for “insurance purposes” as per usual.  Thankfully there were tons of port o’ Johns, therefore with very short lines, so +10 points for the race organizers 😉

I met up with F, a guy I used to work with, and thankfully he let me know the 5K was at 8:15, not at 8.  The schedule I had said 8, so I was really glad I didn’t accidentally start with the 10K runners!  So that meant I took my pre-race GU a little too early, but it’s all good.

Finally, it was time to run.  Things were heating up already, but I felt pretty good at the beginning:

There were several ladies in front of me that I tried to hang with, but I could tell during the first mile that it was most definitely not a “PR” kinda day.  Mile 1 was 7:30ish, and I knew I couldn’t hold that speed for 2 more miles.  Thank God for the water station at one mile, so I could dump some down my back, and take a few swigs.  The turnaround loomed in the distance, like a mirage that grew no closer.  Finally made it there, and braced myself for the long 1.5 mile slog back.  In a straight line… with the sun beating down.  I could feel my pace slow with each passing minute.  My goal was to be at the halfway point at 11:30 (trying to get under 23 minutes), but it was about 12 min at the turnaround.  Oh well, just get done, I thought.

I didn’t look at my watch the rest of the time, except to check on the distance remaining.  My GI distress was flaring up more and more with each step, and I want badly to walk in the 3rd mile.  I didn’t care about time, all I wanted was to finish.  The last mile felt like forever, with the finish line seeming to grow no closer.  I got passed left and right, but didn’t care.  Finish, V.  Just finish.  A little girl near me, maybe 10 years old, was audibly struggling, and her dad cheered her on.  I was feeling sorry for myself and my pain, but hearing her struggle yet keep going, spurred me on.  I was able to pick it up during the last 0.1, even though I was in a lot of pain.

I saw the clock approaching 25 min, so I pushed in just under.  24:55.  No where close to where I wanted to be, but the heat really takes a toll and I have to keep that in mind.  Javi got this video of my finish 🙂  Thank you, my love!

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Afterwards, I pretty much felt like $h!t, so I sat in the shade and tried to drink lots of water, and eat oranges and pretzels.  I finally ran into my former running buddy from Honda, SMC, which was great!  This lady is a real bad@$$, works so hard, has 3 kids, and has done an Ironman and LOTS of other endurance races.  She inspires me!  Today she got 3rd place in her age group (at the 10K!) coming off of an injury.  You’re awesome, girl!

I thought I had blown it with an age group award, with my slow time, so I didn’t expect much.  What a pleasant surprise to see I came in 2nd!  The ironic/crummy part was I lost to first by 4 seconds, and I beat 3rd by 4 seconds.  I could have dug a little deeper to get 4 seconds out of my time… but it’s OK.  Happy with 2nd!  We waited around for the awards, I had my 2 sec of “fame” (haha), and we got in line for the bus back to the parking lot.

We helped a lady who passed out in the line for the bus… poor lady just overheated and felt faint.  I was feeling awful myself, and very happy to sit on the air-conditioned bus (next to a guy who was in the Army in Germany back in the day like we were, pretty cool!)

J & I stopped at the VF hangar (my new employer) and got to see the corporate hangar and several of the jets!  Pretty sweet 🙂

And later on, we went swimming… after a nice long nap!  My stomach felt much better after the nap.  Enjoyed the race well enough, but next time I might bring ice with me.  And the kids–it woulda been fun to watch them do the kids dash today 🙂

What are you up to this weekend?
Thanks, as always, if you made it this far!!

Oh, and if you’re nerdy like me, here’s the Garmin stats:

P.S. Obviously the elevation is a little off…. since it was flat as a pancake!