Saturday, December 6, 2008

Jingle Bell 5K Race Report

Husand & I headed off to Balloon Fiesta Park this morning for the Jingle Bell 5K. This is the 3rd year that we've done this race, so we knew what to expect with regard to the course. It starts off with a run up a hill, then down the hill, then a track around the park.

I was looking forward to the run, but really wasn't sure what to expect from myself. I have been building up slowly trying to protect my knee. I've done a few 8R-2W intervals, but no continuous running since Duke City back in early October.

The plan for the morning: Don't push it too hard, but put in good effort. Try to find a pace that could be maintained for a 10K (even thought it's a 5K). If any knee pain occurs, walk.

And off we went.

Here's a breakdown of my split paces (and the elevation chart):
1: 10:33, up the hill +143ft
2: 9:14, down the hill -153ft
3: 10:01, mostly flat
0.1: 8:00, mostly flat & booking it to the finish

I am happy to report that my knee didn't hurt the entire time. YAY!

I was pleased with my finish time - 30:38 (9:52 min/mi). This was much better than I expected given the circumstances.

We hung around for a while waiting for awards. Husband was antsy to leave, but since it was a relatively small field, I thought his finish time (26-something) might have been good enough for an AG award.

I wasn't quite right.

We were both surprised when *I* was the one called to the podium - 3rd place F40-49.

What a way to end the season.

40 comments:

  1. Congrats on your 3rd place finish and running without knee pain! Awesome job!!! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

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  2. Oh that's exciting! No knee pain AND a podium finish - yay!!!

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  3. Congrats! Yay for no knee pain!

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  4. WOOHOO!!! WOOHOO!!!

    Lisa girlie you rocked the 5K! I am so proud of you!!! Really i am!!!

    That is a great time!!! YAYAY!!!

    Have a great rest of the weekend!!

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  5. Congrats!!! That is awesome that your knee felt ok!

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  6. ok, now THAT is so cool!! way to go girlie, that must feel great!

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  7. YAY, WOO HOO, AWESOME!!

    Great job!!

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  8. sweet! Sweet! SWEET! That is fab lisa! 3rd place.... awesome! And even more thrilling is that your knee was good, all that love, care and attention has obviously done it some good! Great stuff!

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  9. Woohoo!!! Congrats on the AG placing!! That GREAT! =) And the knee not hurting gotta feel really good too =)

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  10. Congratulations on your AG place with no knee pain!!

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  11. Awesome! Congratulations on a great race and being a top female!

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  12. Woohoo! Great time and the podium also-you rock.

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  13. Oooh, great job! Nice award. Glad your knees felt good.

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  14. Yeay - congrats!!

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  15. That is fantastic!!!

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  16. Great job Lisa and the knee held out-yay!!

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  17. Yay! What a great way to end 2008! Congrats.

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  18. Hot dam!! This is so great Lisa I am so happy for you!

    Congratulations!!!!!

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  19. Came home with the bling!!

    Awesome times and even more awesome hardware. I ma glad to hear you had no knee pain. You are back, baby!

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  20. LISA! That is awesome! I'm more excited that your knee didn't give you problems. You rock mama!

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  21. Ooooo Lisa that is WONDERFUL!! CONGRATS on a great race ;D

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  22. Congrats on no pain in your knee and for the age group placing! I need to come race out there. The top 3 40-49 in the TT I did were all under 23 minutes, something I'll never acheive...

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  23. Congratulations! An AG award and no pain on the run. And a great time besides!

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  24. YAY! that is awesome!

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  25. Hooray for YOU!! What a way to get back into the running gig. :)

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  26. Congrats! What a cool medal! I'm glad your knee didn't hurt.

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  27. What a way to make a comeback! Well done...

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  28. NICE BLING!! Congrats!!!

    And glad to hear your knee was good! Being a perennially injured guy, I know that's the BEST news!!

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  29. Sweet! Congrats on a great season all around with a strong finish.

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  30. Congrats! One of these these days you'll have to stop feeling surprised when your name keeps getting called to the podium. :)

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  31. A HUGE congrats Lisa on a pain free 3rd Place 5K...WHOHOO!

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  32. A little late, but congrats to your AG award, definetly a good way to end the running season.

    Glad to hear your knee held up as well.

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  33. Congratulations on 3rd place and no pain!!!

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  34. Totally rock-in Lisa! I am HAPPY for you!! {all smiles here}

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  35. An awesome way to end your season! Great job! That and no knee pain is about as good as it gets.

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  36. What a wonderful surprise!! Congrats on your race and I'm so happy to hear you had no knee pain.

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  37. Holy cow Lisa!!! Way to go! You went from injury, to winning a race! That is soo, soo great! Congrats :)

    That medal is totally adorable too :)

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  38. Just catching up on all the news. Well done. Congratulations. And I'm so happy to read that the knee was good. That's great.

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  39. That's one cool looking medal :-)

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