Ghost & Goblin 5k Race Recap

Last night was my 4th 5k I've ran since I started in April and it was by far the biggest race.  There were well over 3000 runners/walkers and it was crazy! 

Parking was kind of insane because we were in downtown Dayton but just because we had to deal with stop lights and everyone trying to get into the downtown area plus all those trying to leave downtown from work for the day.  I got parked finally and walked over to the stage area where the main area was for the race and quickly found my friends Carol and Laura. 

Carol I didn't get a picture with you but you looked great!!!  Congrats on a great race!!

Laura and me

I've known Laura since college and she's just one of those people you never miss a beat with and I was so glad to see her there!  I think she has me talked into doing the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning (5 miles though...yikes!) 

Love having friends who are also getting into running!  Makes things so much more fun!!

I got in line to go to the bathroom one more time before we started and the lines weren't terrible which was nice considering how many people were there.  It also gave me a chance to check out a lot of people's costumes.  Some of the customes I have no idea how people were able to run 3 miles in.  Just crazy!

A few costumes in line for the potty

Then the craziness started and we all got in line. 

Starting Line
What's up with the dude in the blue posing??  ;)

It was nuts to say the least.  We were packed tight.  They did attempt to have it that areas were labeled with times of where to start at but I don't think anyone paid attention to that.  We started back at the 10 minute pace and we should have either started up front or way in the back. 

Probably my biggest gripe of the whole race was the race started 3 minutes early which threw everyone off because no one was expecting it.  So I had to quickly throw on my music and get going.  However, it took a little over 2 minutes for us to even get over the starting line and then probably another few minutes to where everyone could actually get moving and running.   I also forgot to turn on my RunKeeper App so I don't have my stats according to that. 

Next  year I want wings and a tutu like this girl!

The crowd was nuts and I really wish they would have had it that those planning on running the 5k would have started first and then the walkers start after all the runners cross the starting line because for at least the first mile I was weaving like pac man through the crowds. 

***Note to the wise....if you are having to walk during a race, no one minds if you do, but here's a couple of tips so you don't tick people off or cause injury to others or yourself:

1. If you are running and feel like you need to walk...look behind you before you just stop out of no where, there could be someone just a few feet behind you and they can't read your mind if you are going to suddenly stop out of no where. 

2.  If you are walking with a friend...keep it to 1 other person or if there is multiples of you, don't walk 4 or 5 across, there are people who would love to pass you because they are running and it's hard to when you take up the whole path. 

3.  If you are walking, stay off to the sides so it's easy for those to pass you, it'll keep everyone much happier and safer. 

All of those above happened to me more than once last night and it was irritating and it slowed me down.  I about tripped and fell at least once last night. 

The course was pretty good, hillier (is that a word?) than I had been told but it wasn't terrible.  On the way back to the city we had some great views of downtown and that was nice.  Wish I would have taken some pictures for y'all.  I'm a loser I know!

Coming back into downtown it was a lot of fun.  Lots of people cheering and music playing.  I did finally get to see Miss H and Tony right before I crossed the finish line.  I loved having them there and knowing there was someone there supporting me! 

Thanks Tony for coming and bringing Miss H with you!!! 

My official time for the race was 34:23.  Not my best time but I take the 2 extra minutes it took me was because of the weaving I had to do in the crowds, but that's alright!  I did it! 

The party afterwards was nice.  They had a DJ and tons of pizza from Domino's and lots of fruit and cookies and water for everyone, though I would have loved to get a second bottle of water, but I couldn't find any more. 

How did I feel during the race physically? 

I was tight, I should have stretched more.  Stretching definitely makes a huge difference and I think I would have been able to go faster if I was stretched out better.  It was also hot and there was no breeze at all. 

It was a good race.  I pushed through everything and made it and felt strong at the end and was able to pick up my pace the last quarter of a mile. 

Overall, it was a good race but I think for being the 27th year of this race and it being the size it is, they need to fix the whole crowd issue so that it runs better for safety reasons.  Also if you plan on running in this race in the future, know too that their sizing for their shirts is way off!  I ordered a large and I was swimming in it. 

Like a loser though, I completely forgot about getting a picture of Miss H with me last night but she was there!  And the whole ride home she talked about the race and all the costumes that she saw.  I absolutely loved having her there and knowing she was waiting for me at the finish line. 

Now do I try to do the 5 mile Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving or not? 

Any suggestions on how I work up to that? 

I'm Ready for New Things!

Yesterday I was doing some research, aka talking to my BFF, about how I need do something to kick start my weight loss again.  I'm super duper stuck I feel and there is nothing I can do to get below 30lbs lost! 

I've been thinking about doing some kind of detox thing and my BFF suggested one that she tried and lost 10lbs doing so.  Cool!  Sign me up! 

Detox Drink

2 Liters of water

1 medium cucumber sliced thin

1 lemon sliced thin

1 tsp. ginger

10 mint leaves

Leave set overnight and drink a cup before each meal. 

Didn't sound too bad and last night I took a drink of it and surprisingly it was pretty refreshing.  This morning it is definitely stronger in taste but still pretty good. 

We will see what this does!  I'm not much into the whole fad diet thing and so I'm curious if this will do anything. 

Also yesterday I picked up this

Ghost and Goblin 5k

My first ever Race Bib.  This will be my 4th 5k but the first time where I've ever actually gotten a bib and yes I'm a nerd and excited about it! 

Last night I packed my bag for the race and just chilled out and drinking lots of water.  It's supposed to be in the mid 70s today so it'll be interesting to see how this goes since lately it's been mostly in the 50s when I've been running. 

Either way it'll be fun since I'm getting to meet up with some friends and Tony and Miss H are coming to watch! 

Wish me Luck! 

Mum Festival 5k Race Recap

This past weekend I ran in a local festival 5k race, the Mum Festival.  I was extremely nervous to go run this race by myself.  I left way too early but that was ok, at least I wasn't rushed.  I woke up at 5am all on my own Saturday morning.  That tells ya right there I was nervous...I NEVER wake up that early for no reason. 

Got dressed and tried to eat something to get everything moving and working before I left out the door.  Did some stretches and got Miss H up out of bed and we left.  Dropped her off at my sister's and I was on my way. 

Me before the race

very dark out when I left

Hardly anyone around when I got to the race location

Got checked in and brought my stuff back to my car, relaxed some and then just walked around for a while.  Wanted to make sure my legs were stretched and my feet were feeling good.  And then everyone came! 

Lots of people in groups running together, which was neat to see and made me miss my BFF even more that she couldn't be there with me.  All kinds of running clothes, shoes, etc.  I was nervous and not trying to freak myself out.  I kept reminding myself...you are not in competition with anyone here but yourself.  You are only in competition with yourself so don't worry about anyone else.  I am such a competitive person that I really had to remind myself this. 

I knew I wouldn't be fighting for any 1st place trophies, I was only there for me. 

waiting in line at the start

I hate the start of any race.  I hate how people don't understand you line up with how long it'll take you to run the whole 3.1 miles (even though they explained that) and so you end up weaving through walkers for the first half mile until you finally get through to those that are actually running the race.  I hate the gun going off, totally gets my heart going and I have to really stay focused on my pace and not jumping out too face (like I could anyways!  hahaha...I'm funny!)

The gun went off and I weaved my way through everyone and trying to find my comfortable pace and groove.  I found it and I couldn't believe how good I felt.  I probably smiled the first mile just because I felt good.  I was actually passing people.  I was excited to be through the mess of people and doing my thing. 

I tried to keep myself distracted and just kept looking around while I ran.  The town was all decorated in fall decor so that was exciting.  Love me some pumpkins, mums and corn stalks!  The weather was chilly but after the first mile I was regretting wearing the jacket I had on. 

But I just pushed my sleeves up and kept going.  Things always get harder for me between 1 and 2 miles for some reason and I just have to push through it.  They had splits at every mile and at the first mile I was 10:27 which was exciting because the crowd was really slow to move over the finish line, so I definitely ran a 10 min mile or less.  Went down a pretty big hill which was new to me, haven't done that yet and that took some balance work and pace to not go crazy going down it.  Hit the water stop and I grabbed a cup of water and I regretted it as soon as I grabbed it, they had them filled up completely, way too much water and I'm not sure if I got more on me or in my mouth.  But I never stopped!

Hit 2 miles and I really had to focus at this point.  Only 1 more mile to go, that's not that far, and thinking of how far that is on my runs in my neighborhood.  I can do 1 more mile.  People that were ahead of me were pooping out and walking and that made me want to walk and I had to push through it, I wasn't tired yet, my legs still felt good.  I wished I had music at that point just so I could block everything out.  Then I came up on a girl who I literally thought was going to hyperventilate.  I so badly wanted to tell her to stop and catch her breath...it didn't sound healthy or safe at all.  I felt bad for her.  I also saw people who were doing what I did in my first 2 5ks....not pacing themselves...pushing faster than they should of and not being able to run the whole thing.  Amazing what you learn in 3 months of running! 

I really pushed myself pretty hard the last mile...I wanted to be in the 31-32 minute range and I knew I couldn't afford any slacking off.  And then the end is near but so is the biggest and longest hill I've ever done and the finish line is at the very top of it.  FOR REALS PEOPLE??? 

I passed a dad and his two kids yelling for everyone passing them  "you're almost done" and they made me smile and think of Miss H and a smile came on my face again and I took off.  I was running fast and wasn't going to let myself stop until I got to the finish line.  I passed 3 people and crossed the finish line and was so glad to be done.  I was tired!  I had given everything I could to that race. 

My time per my phone



Official race time was 32:32.5.  I was proud of that.  My first 5k I ran/walked it in 37:59 on June 21st, so in 3 months I have cut off 5 minutes and 27 secs off my time...I'm pretty proud of that! 

Grabbed a few goodies for Miss H and my nephew and headed home.  After I showered and relaxed a little I started to get a headache...the same headache I have gotten after every single 5k race I've ran.  It sucks.  I don't get them when I run 3 miles at home but I do when I run in a race.  I don't know if I'm tensed up which I really focused on trying not to be on Saturday and I'm pretty sure it's not from dehydration but it lingered for most of the afternoon on Saturday.  And then I also realized that my right hip/inner thigh was really hurting and so I spent time icing that on Saturday and Sunday as well. 

I was hoping to run again on Sunday while Miss H was in religion class but I decided I had better just rest and let my hip heal.  Thankfully come Sunday night the pain was barely there at all.  Not sure what caused this but I found some stretches to help prevent it from happening again so that's a plus! 

Overall it was a great race.  Very well planned out, the course was nice and not boring at all, I will definitely do it again next year!

Rest of the weekend Miss H and I spent some time at the festival ourselves and it was perfect.  Perfect weather, perfect fall festival and just a great time with my daughter. 

She loves corn dogs....just the thought of a hot dog on a stick makes me gag.  ick!



If you are local and want to run a 5k race sometime with me...let me know!  It's much more fun with a partner there!