Sunday, May 11, 2008

25k (15.2 mile) Race day!!

I did It!!
The Fifth Third River Bank 25k race was yesterday Saturday, May 10th.
What an amazing and very intense
experience it was.
This 25K is the largest one of it's kind in all America. There were over 14,000 people participating in all the running events of the morning. There was a 5k, 10k, and then the 25k.
26,000 spectators were lining the race course cheering us on.

I felt really good for the first 12 miles, then I started feeling pretty tired towards the end.
The picture below is right before I crossed the finished line. That last .2 miles were the hardest. There were three runners right in front of me who passed out about a mile before the finish, so I was getting a little worried. I was just trying to keep focused on my breathing and just kept my legs going. If I stopped I would never start again.


I ended up finishing at 2 hours and 17 minutes and 21 seconds.
My mile average was about a 8:50 mile.
I came in 89th place out of 350 in my age division.
You can see my race results here.
I reached my two goals, the first to finish the race and the second was to not stop and walk.


My Boys were waiting for me at the finish line! That was the best part of the race.
I was so happy to see them:-)

Andy has been my biggest supporter!
He was very supportive of me training and running this race. For the last 6 weeks, he has watched the kids every Saturday morning while I ran my long run for my training.
Thank You Sweetie, I couldn't have done it with out you.


After the race was over the kids had a ton of fun with all of the post race festivities.
They had a few blow up jumping playgrounds for the all the kids to play on.
Isaac and Seth had a blast!



Then there was the band!
Isaac loves to dance to any kind of fun music. So he was in heaven. And since Seth does everything that Isaac does, he joined right in. It was so funny watching them.


I am so relieved that this race is over. I have been training for it ever since January.
I have been waking up at 5:30 or 6:00 am to run before the kids wake up, and then doing the long runs on Saturday. Training for a long race like this has been a challenge for me. It has been hard to wake up so early and run and then do all the household responsibilities and take care of my sweet little boys. I did have a great experience, so it was all worth it. I really want to do it again next year! This was my favorite race have ever ran, so far. I LOVE races!!

17 comments:

ali said...

congrats Jess! I'm totally impressed! I can only run for a minute tops before I collapse from knee pain!

Sarah said...

That is a great accomplishment. Congratulations!

Sarah said...

Jessica I am so impressed! Wow I can't imagine waking up early....let alone running and not dying after 1 mile. That is absolutely awesome! Seth's b-day pictures also looked so fun. I like the pinata idea. Maybe one day we can be there for a birthday celebration.
By the way I hate being called sarah....lame..I notice that someone else has left a message and they have the same name. How do you know the difference? Why didn't my parents name me Bertha or something.....sigh
Sarah...your sister in law

Vanessa said...

wow jessica! I admire you so much for being able to run whole races. it is something that i don't think that i would ever be able to do. I have to live vicariously through you! great job!!

Adam said...

Jess-
Great job! An 8:50 mile pace for that long is way impressive.

So how come Andy didn't run it too? The wuss.

Melissa said...

Congrats Jessica! What an accomplishment and not only finishing the race, but everything you did to prepare and train for it. I am not a runner but look up to everyone that trains for those races. You are amazing!

Stacey and Brody Miller said...

Way to go woman! I tell myself after I have this baby in Oct. I may start training for a marathon...maybe not a full one but something. You did great and had a nice pace. way to be a super star. Ohio misses you.

Denise said...

Congratulations. What an accomplishment! And also so inspiring for me to accomplish my fitness goals and keep up with my small kids too.

emilyy said...

You are amazing. I don't know if I could do that. Good job I am very impressed.

Lisa L. said...

Wow! I am so impressed! I have run a few 10ks, but that is the most I have ever done - and it seems like the last .2 was the hardest for me in those!! :) I cannot believe you didn't stop to walk for over 2 hours - that is amazing. It's true that once you stop, it's hard to start again. Great work!!!

Michelle Y said...

So cool Jessica. You are amazing!! I'm so glad it went so well for you and you accomplished your goals. Seth's bday party was a blast too, you're seriously a Super Mom!

Leesa said...

Congrats! I admire you for doing this, it is something I will most likely never accomplish in my lifetime! Way to go!

Kristi said...

Wow! Good job- I am super impressed. I have a lot of respect for people that like to run... It always inspires me to TRY to exercise.

Liz said...

Great job Jessica! Maybe after you get deconditioned a little I can start running with you:) Just kidding..

Anonymous said...

Great job! You should be really proud of yourself!

Becky @ Project Domestication said...

seriously jess. this is so great and a huge accomplishment. i mean just to finish it...and you did it SO FAST!

I am Laura said...

Holy cow that is awesome. You are awesome. I don't know if I could ever do that.