Long Beach Pajama 10K Recap
| July 2, 2012 | Posted by Carrie under 10K, Running |
I ran my second 10K on Saturday. I think I love this distance. It’s long enough that it requires effort and training, yet not so long that it’s life-consuming.
We spent the day on Friday at Disneyland. Checking out the new Cars Land and the other amazing renovations at the park. See what I mean that a 10K isn’t life-consuming – - – I was wiped from Disney, yet totally fine for the race.
The Long Beach Pajama 10K course was entirely along the shoreline of Long Beach. We started with a pretty view of the Queen Mary and headed up the bike path for 3.1 miles and back.
As the name suggests, it was a Pajama Theme race. I chose not to wear the normal ratty randomness that is my sleeping attire and picked up a cute Hello Kitty nightgown at Target to wear for the race. My friend K (who has been sick and decided to run the 5K instead of the 10K) picked me up at a very humane hour of 7AM for our short drive to the race.
This was a very low key race. No chip timing and the bibs looked like someone printed them on their home computer. It was super fun.
There were several water stations on the course and a whole slew of pj clad runners. I’m not sure how the people wearing flannel fared for the race, I’m hoping they were 5K’ers as it got HOT out there.
My plan for the race was to hit the first mile at 11:00 and then gauge how I felt. I was hoping to average around 10:45 for my pace.
I made possibly the best move ever for me during a race at the start. It was a little crowded on the narrow bike path and I was about to start weaving around people. I decided it would be better if I relaxed and just stayed where I was. As I’ve read from so many other bloggers, the bobbing and weaving at the beginning of a race uses up a lot of energy. So, I stayed put.
After a few hundred yards, I looked down at my watch and saw my pace was averaging at 10:30. I was shocked! I felt like I was going slower, I was feeling great. I decided to stick right there and just hang on for the ride.
The course was great – super flat and 95% on the bike path at the beach. I had brought Cliff Blocks along to try to take at around mile 4 (after my terrible run a few weeks ago and because of the heat, I thought it would be a good idea). But, I didn’t bring any water… partly because I didn’t want a belt to mess with my outfit. How awful is that? Really, that’s why I didn’t bring water. I planned to take the blocks as I got some water on the course hopefully around a good mileage point.
It turned out that there was a water station at about mile 3 that I thought to hit up after the turnaround. But, I knew it’d be before I hit mile 4. But, I also knew it was best to drink water when eating the blocks. So, I walked through the water station (I haven’t mastered that open cup and running thing – has anyone?).
At about mile 5 there was another water station. I knew from the walking and starting up again a mile earlier that if I walked again, starting was going to be even harder. I was following behind a woman and had been in her shadow for a long time. I couldn’t decide if I needed water. So, I decided I’d do whatever she did. Well, she didn’t stop. So I kept going too. As soon as I passed the water, I instantly thought I made the wrong choice. But, I think I was just being mental at that point.
That woman eventually started to pull away from me, but I knew that I was keeping my pace rather steady and my legs were starting to get tired, so I just stuck with where I was.
Good decision.
I finished in 1:05:33! A 1:21 PR from my first 10K 17 months ago! Yippee!!!
K got a picture of me heading in to the finish
(sorry for the blurry pic)
After looking at my Garmin data from the race, I was so excited. How is it possible that me, miss inconsistent, ran so evenly? Mile 3 is when I walked for water. And look, my last 2 miles were a tiny bit faster.
As this was a small race, there were no race shirts, but we did get medals. Cool! I’d rather have a medal than a shirt any day.
However, there was no water at the finish. There were bananas, yogurt, juice and Popchips. I was feeling a bit queasy, but the banana helped a lot. I drank the juice (a Fuze smoothie thing) and walked around a bit and was fine.
K and I then went to a cool local diner for breakfast. I’ve rambled long enough today, so I’ll share our awesome post race breakfast (which also became my dinner because I couldn’t eat it all… now I know why the server questioned my order of a full stack of pancakes).
I love the 10K! I was able to go home and resume normal daily activity. I did want to take a nap in the afternoon, but that happens on days I don’t run a 10K. 
And no, I didn’t nap. In fact, I actually went and played a softball game later in the evening.
I’m also using this run towards my blogger friend HikerMom‘s Virtual Birthday Run. Go check it out if you want to celebrate too.
I’m an avowed nonrunner except for the themed races. Color run? A PJ ru? Tutu race? I’m in.
Length o’race be damned
I was contemplating hair rollers… but thought comfort was important. Miz running in a Tutu… I’d be there!!
Congrats on your PR! Your splits look great!
I’m running a 10k tomorrow – haven’t run one since last fall! I can only hope for your consistency
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Monday Motivation – Let Training Begin!
Yay for the 10K! Good luck tomorrow. Have a great time!
What a great post! Congrats on your PR, and way to share a positive message with the rest of us – slow and steady really does win the race sometimes (and always makes us feel better!)
You rock Carrie!
Amber Ellison Walker recently posted..Making Yoga Fun for Kids
Thank you. Slow and steady gets the job done and makes for a happy me!
Nice job on being so consistent with your splits! I love the Hello Kitty jammies. I would rather have a medal than a race shirt any day also.
Christy@ My Dirt Road Anthem recently posted..A Little Help Please
Glad I’m not the only one that likes medals. Have you seen that t-shirt conversion idea on Pinterest where people take old shirts and make workout tank tops? It’s a neat idea. Haven’t tried it yet.
Wow, awesome job! Sounds like you ran a really fast race and I’m glad you could participate in my race too:) I would definitely rather have a medal than a shirt, easier to display:) Cute jammies by the way!
hikermom recently posted..Checking In
Hope you had a great birthday!
Congrats on the race result and family time too; awesome.
I’d have a tough time running a pajama themed race, I sleep sand pajamas.
Patrick recently posted..WWWWWWater
I really appreciate that no one who sleeps sans pj’s decided to race in their real pajamas. Lucky me
CONGRATS FRIEND! your consistency is incredible and inspiring! and amazing new PR! you ran such a smart race! and LOVE the hello kitty PJs:)
Julia @ Pain, Pride and Perseverance recently posted..Weekend Getaway!
Thank you! I’m loving my Hello Kitty Pj’s and just might use them as Pj’s now.
A 1:21 PR?! Rock on sista!!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Mizuno Mezamashii Project- Giveaway
Thank you! Before I knew anything about running, I would have thought that was nothing… now I know and appreciate the huge growth! YAY!!
Congrats! How fun to run in your Jammie’s! I’ve only run 1 10k and loved it. That distance is hard to come but I planon doing another whenever I see a race pop up!
Yes, they are hard to find. There are a few around here, I must remember to do them as much as possible.
Awesome race, Carrie! You’re pj’s are way too cute. I want some for my and Lil.
And yay for your new pr! You ran an amazingly smart, consistent race. Congrats!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..June recap and Winners!
I’m still so shocked at the consistency. Thank you! Go to Target…
Congratulations on another 10K and a PR. I agree. I think the 10K is my favorite distance too
Add a PJ theme to my list of want to run races!
I’m surprised they didn’t have water at the end.
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Month In Review || June 2012
My stomach hasn’t been too happy since the race… I’m blaming the juice. It’s just not something I usually drink, ever. Thanks!
Wow, that IS a consistent pace! Great job! I love the pajama theme!
Travel Spot recently posted..Then and Now: June
Thanks! I love the theme too. Although it kind of makes me laugh – what person really rolls out of bed to go run a race… I’d never run in what I was actually comfortable enough to sleep in.. let alone the pre-race ritual type stuff. Then there’s the running bra… etc. etc. But it was a fun theme.
That hello kitty shirt rocks! LOL.
And that medal is super cool too. You usually don’t find too many 10ks with medals. Nice job on having fun and getting some great miles in!
Pavement Runner recently posted..How Do I Run a 5k?
Thanks! I think more races should do medals and no shirt. Let’s start a movement
This sounds like a neat race and one with some beautiful views! I’m really looking forward to running on the beach in CA in a couple of weeks.
Suzanne recently posted..Marathon Monday Check-In
Yay! You’re going to love the west coast beaches!
Congrats on getting a PR! Wow!
Charissa recently posted..Dandelion Orange Smoothie
Thank you!
A handheld water bottle wouldn’t muss your dress (but I don’t like them much). Those are amazing split times, especially for a race. I will keep in mind the no-weaving strategy tomorrow.
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