Bloomsday Race Recap

This past weekend I had the privilege of racing in one of the worlds largest “fun” runs as an elite. I was granted the privilege of being considered an elite runner, as my times qualified me for such.

It was an amazing experience to say the least, as well as humbling and intimidating. Lining up next to 15 Kenyans and Ethiopians, one being a world record holder and others with outstanding times and performances at other races, was awe-striking (if that’s a word). There were of course American elites there as well. I was in the group of sponsored athletes, trying not to throw up from nerves.

I was allowed special privileges that the other 42,000+ runners weren’t, such as bag/gear check, our own bathrooms with no lines, a building to stay warm if need be, and all the room I needed for warming up. I have ran Bloomsday many times in the past, and watched it a few times as well. I never thought I would be starting with the runners I always admired. It’s still the same course though, just as tough. Except for this time my race was more mental then physical (although it was plenty physical).

Since baby girl stayed home with my sister, I was allowed ample time for warming up. I was running up and down the streets with sponsored athletes. They have the longest legs ever may I add. My race started at 8:45, 15 minutes before the elite men. Before I knew it it was time to toe the line. This was when reality sunk in and I was choking back puke. I was so nervous.

I stayed in the back, because I knew I wasn’t going to go out hard like the Kenyans and Ethiopians. I didn’t want to kill myself early on. Gun fired and we were off.

I stayed in the second group of runners for the first mile and didn’t feel like the pace was too terribly fast. I was loosened up and feeling good. After a nice downhill you make a quick uphill that climbs for a bit, makes a turn and climbs again. Then start a nice gradual climb up cemetery hill.

A nice early downhill

The groups of runners were thinning out, but I could see the Kenyans/Ethiopians and then a another group not far behind them. I was in a group of 4-5 for the first 3 miles.

Cemetery Hill

Mile 1: 5:47 Mile 2: 5:55 Mile 3: 6:21

There were spectators cheering us on, making us feel like celebrities. Bands play along the route, and I was happy for the little shade we had. A few girls and I were going back and forth passing one another. I would pass everyone on the uphills, to only be passed on the downhills. Most the race was ran by myself with a female 20-40 feet ahead and 20-40 feet behind.

Going up the final climb before Doomsday

Once we turned to go up the last smaller climb before Doomsday, I knew it was only going to get more lonely. The race was moving fast, but I was feeling it in my hamstring and sciatica. We hit mile 4 as we started our decent to the bottom of Doomsday. I could see the lead pack moving up Doomsday and another group behind them.

Last climb before Doomsday

I was passed by 2 females in the decent to Doomsday. I let my stride lengthen on the flat across the bridge, dug deep and let the crowd propel me up. I passed 3 or 4 girls up Doomsday. We hit mile 5 at the top, after a nice 1/2 mile climb. It was toasty. I knew these last miles would be tough. I only lost 5 seconds of my pace from the bottom of the hill to the top.

Bottom of Doomsday…eyeing my challenge

Coming for you Red!! Doomsday Hill!! Caught all 3!!

Mile 4: 6:09 Mile 5: 6:28

A couple or turns and we were on Broadway, a long stretch of street where you can hear the finish, but yet it’s so far away. The acid was pooling in my legs from the climb. My miles were getting slower and painful. I couldn’t recover after Doomsday. One of the girls passed me and I tried to stay with her, but shortly gave up.

Miles seemed longer now. I was on pace for a 44 minute race, but my last 2 miles killed me. I knew I didn’t want the lead men to catch me. I only looked at my watch once at mile 6.52. Only a mile to go. It was 38 minutes something. I totally could have gone 44 something.

I was inching closer to the female that passed me, mentally try to finish this race since my legs backed out a while ago. Mentally it was a tough race, being you spend half the race by yourself. A left on the Monroe Street Bridge with a nice quarter of a mile of down hill to the finish. The clock read 31 something, but that was the men’s time, so I had to add 15 minutes.

Obviously I need to learn to smile!! Looking so serious in all my race photos…jeepers!!

Mile 6: 6:28 Mile 7: 6:19 , .52: 3:05

I finished in 46:34. After looking over splits I definitely didn’t run an 8 minute mile the last mile, but somehow I must have…??unless I read my watch wrong at mile 6.52. It was a 3+ minute PR, but wasn’t what I wanted. Still disappointed in my performance. I was one place away from prize money too (for Washington women)!!  It definitely wasn’t the 6 minute average I wanted.

I finished 31st overall female and 177th overall. Even though it was a PR, I wasn’t thrilled with my time. I think we can be the hardest on ourselves sometimes. I had more gas in the tank, but the weeks leading up to Bloomsday I wasn’t feeling it in my body. Racing with elites definitely pushes you, but I wished I would have pushed it a little more. We all have in our mind the race planned out to a tee, and it rarely runs that way.

All and all it was a race experience I won’t forget!! Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers!!

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit