Spirit of Woman 5K Run and Walk - Run5k

I started out badly: got caught tying my shoe at the start. WTF? No warning there. I was still feeling a bit lung gunky and didn't push myself during the first quarter mile as it is ALL up hill and I knew I needed to keep some reserves. In point of fact, my heart rate hit 194 at the crest of the hill. Ran the entire hill. Yay me!

Tried to keep my cadence up and my heart rate elevated through the rest of the run. My average was only 182, it really ought to have been 184 so I slouched off sometimes.

My kids came out to cheer in a million places: Gary biked around to four spots. Sammy ran up the Congress St. hill with me, and even Caroline came out. I tried to keep Gillian in sight but lost her near the pond. (Too bad, she finished with a 9:50 pace, I wish I had tried harder!) After that I just tried to keep Mary in sight and managed to pass her on the sprint. Yay me again! (Sydney ran the sprint with me, and really kept me at it.)

My knee started to feel bad going down the slope on George St, about 1/4 mile from the end. I hate my knees.

I meant to lose 10 pounds. I meant to run at least 15 miles a week. The reality is that my mileage tops out about 12 miles a week, and at that level my knee is starting to feel sore. I seriously have to eat less and run more if I want to break my 10 minute mile barrier.

I was really disappointed with my time on this right after the race: I had wanted to break 10 minute miles. I was a bit confused about where that line was, but knew I'd missed it. But then for a few minutes I thought I'd hit it, then I knew I missed it again. Damn, that goal is elusive! I really think I could have shaved a few seconds off with better mental effort, i.e., keeping focused on really pushing the whole way.

But I get faster (by a few seconds) every year. Two years ago when it followed this course my time was 31:32 and it was about 150 yards shorter that year.

I didn't carry my water belt, but I wonder if that would have helped me shave that 30 seconds off. I stopped briefly for one gulp at the water stop, but it was on the downhill and I hated to walk just then. I was thirsty earlier in the race, too.

Walked a bit, then did some spinning at the expo


Sloth and gluttony.

I rated the course "too hard" but I'm referring here to the pavement. The hill is hard, but not too hard. I just hate running on hard surfaces and I'm sure my knee is acting up because of training for this race.


This was the third running of this and I think they've worked out the kinks. The course has a challenging hill in it, but runs through some lovely places.

It could be improved if they let the runners start before walkers (so we don't have to run around the walkers) and by putting down mile markers.

The expo afterwards was particularly good: for a couple of bucks you can buy fund-raiser food for lunch. There was entertainment and interesting booths.