race report 3-6-04

Yes indeed there is a race to report!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:05
mile 1: 9:18
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 11:00
mile 4: 9:32
mile 5: 9:35

I felt ok when I woke up this morning - plenty of sleep again which has made
a great difference. My legs down through my feet weren't as swollen as they
were even yesterday though my hands, face, and torso are still holding a lot
of the water. I only lost 5 of the 20 pounds of water so far. If my feet
had still been swollen I wouldn't have had a choice but to stay home.

As I expected, the environment of the race served to provide a little energy
boost. I was no longer shooting for 45 min and after a brief warmup run I
figured I'd be happy with 50-55 min. There were over 500 people registered
by the starting time. I started toward the back, took 12 seconds to cross
the starting line and off I went. The first mile was the hardest - I
couldn't believe how long it took, then as they were calling out the times
and I heard 9:18 I realized I was right where I wanted to be and doing
better than I thought.

That gave me enough energy to get through the next mile pretty easily and
then due to my experiences in training and counting my breaths I knew I had
to pull back a tad for the 3rd mile or risk not having enough to finish.
There were some uphill grades in the third mile, plus the turnaround at the
2.5 mile point, but I was saving myself for miles 4 & 5.

The last two miles weren't hard, but I had a hard time breathing. It was
around 30 degrees and we were on streets with traffic so the fumes from
trucks and from fireplaces & woodstoves all served to interfere with my
breathing. This is where the extra poundage really came into play to try
and screw things up. I was starting to peak at the end of the 4th mile but
I could hear *all* of you (even having never actually heard your voices)
cheering me on.

About .3 mile before the finish, a friend of mine who already finished had
doubled back and found me and ran the end with me providing coaching and
support. I did a full sprint into the finish chute and was kind of shocked
to see the clock. I thought I'd lost time with the breathing trouble. DH
was at the finish and had my bag with everything. A little water, a shot of
albuterol and I was good to go

I didn't place in either the weight or age division and I didn't really
expect to. I finished and did better than I thought I would since a few
days ago I thought I might not even be in the race.

Thanks again for all of your support. I think it helped me take this on in
spite of the difficulties I've been having. Off to a loooong hot bath, some
hot tea, and early to bed.

Jenn

You should be proud!

If your confidence isn't bolstered from just competing and finishing after
such a rough week, you need your head examined. I am so in awe.

j
"JMA" wrote in message
...
Yes indeed there is a race to report!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:05
mile 1: 9:18
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 11:00
mile 4: 9:32
mile 5: 9:35

I felt ok when I woke up this morning - plenty of sleep again which has
made
a great difference. My legs down through my feet weren't as swollen as
they
were even yesterday though my hands, face, and torso are still holding a
lot
of the water. I only lost 5 of the 20 pounds of water so far. If my feet
had still been swollen I wouldn't have had a choice but to stay home.

As I expected, the environment of the race served to provide a little
energy
boost. I was no longer shooting for 45 min and after a brief warmup run I
figured I'd be happy with 50-55 min. There were over 500 people
registered
by the starting time. I started toward the back, took 12 seconds to cross
the starting line and off I went. The first mile was the hardest - I
couldn't believe how long it took, then as they were calling out the times
and I heard 9:18 I realized I was right where I wanted to be and doing
better than I thought.

That gave me enough energy to get through the next mile pretty easily and
then due to my experiences in training and counting my breaths I knew I
had
to pull back a tad for the 3rd mile or risk not having enough to finish.
There were some uphill grades in the third mile, plus the turnaround at
the
2.5 mile point, but I was saving myself for miles 4 & 5.

The last two miles weren't hard, but I had a hard time breathing. It was
around 30 degrees and we were on streets with traffic so the fumes from
trucks and from fireplaces & woodstoves all served to interfere with my
breathing. This is where the extra poundage really came into play to try
and screw things up. I was starting to peak at the end of the 4th mile
but
I could hear *all* of you (even having never actually heard your voices)
cheering me on.

About .3 mile before the finish, a friend of mine who already finished had
doubled back and found me and ran the end with me providing coaching and
support. I did a full sprint into the finish chute and was kind of
shocked
to see the clock. I thought I'd lost time with the breathing trouble. DH
was at the finish and had my bag with everything. A little water, a shot
of
albuterol and I was good to go

I didn't place in either the weight or age division and I didn't really
expect to. I finished and did better than I thought I would since a few
days ago I thought I might not even be in the race.

Thanks again for all of your support. I think it helped me take this on
in
spite of the difficulties I've been having. Off to a loooong hot bath,
some
hot tea, and early to bed.

Jenn

Fantastic! I'm so proud of you.

Tonia

"JMA" wrote in message
...
Yes indeed there is a race to report!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:05
mile 1: 9:18
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 11:00
mile 4: 9:32
mile 5: 9:35

I felt ok when I woke up this morning - plenty of sleep again which has
made
a great difference. My legs down through my feet weren't as swollen as
they
were even yesterday though my hands, face, and torso are still holding a
lot
of the water. I only lost 5 of the 20 pounds of water so far. If my feet
had still been swollen I wouldn't have had a choice but to stay home.

As I expected, the environment of the race served to provide a little
energy
boost. I was no longer shooting for 45 min and after a brief warmup run I
figured I'd be happy with 50-55 min. There were over 500 people
registered
by the starting time. I started toward the back, took 12 seconds to cross
the starting line and off I went. The first mile was the hardest - I
couldn't believe how long it took, then as they were calling out the times
and I heard 9:18 I realized I was right where I wanted to be and doing
better than I thought.

That gave me enough energy to get through the next mile pretty easily and
then due to my experiences in training and counting my breaths I knew I
had
to pull back a tad for the 3rd mile or risk not having enough to finish.
There were some uphill grades in the third mile, plus the turnaround at
the
2.5 mile point, but I was saving myself for miles 4 & 5.

The last two miles weren't hard, but I had a hard time breathing. It was
around 30 degrees and we were on streets with traffic so the fumes from
trucks and from fireplaces & woodstoves all served to interfere with my
breathing. This is where the extra poundage really came into play to try
and screw things up. I was starting to peak at the end of the 4th mile
but
I could hear *all* of you (even having never actually heard your voices)
cheering me on.

About .3 mile before the finish, a friend of mine who already finished had
doubled back and found me and ran the end with me providing coaching and
support. I did a full sprint into the finish chute and was kind of
shocked
to see the clock. I thought I'd lost time with the breathing trouble. DH
was at the finish and had my bag with everything. A little water, a shot
of
albuterol and I was good to go

I didn't place in either the weight or age division and I didn't really
expect to. I finished and did better than I thought I would since a few
days ago I thought I might not even be in the race.

Thanks again for all of your support. I think it helped me take this on
in
spite of the difficulties I've been having. Off to a loooong hot bath,
some
hot tea, and early to bed.

Jenn

Jenn, this is fantastic! You really have a lot of guts, running when
you felt like you did. And I think your time is great -- certainly
far faster than I could run 5 miles even when feeling my best.

Way to go, girl!

Chris

JMA wrote:

Yes indeed there is a race to report!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:05
mile 1: 9:18
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 11:00
mile 4: 9:32
mile 5: 9:35

Oh, I'm so glad. I was hoping you'd just show up in running gear and
see what you could do!

Dally

JMA wrote:

Yes indeed there is a race to report!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:05
mile 1: 9:18
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 11:00
mile 4: 9:32
mile 5: 9:35

You are so COOL! I was thinking of you!!!

--
Walking on . . .
Laurie in Maine
207/110 60 inches of attitude!
Start: 2/02 Maintained since 2/03

Congratulations Jenn!

Beverly

"JMA" wrote in message
...
Yes indeed there is a race to report!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:05
mile 1: 9:18
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 11:00
mile 4: 9:32
mile 5: 9:35

I felt ok when I woke up this morning - plenty of sleep again which has
made
a great difference. My legs down through my feet weren't as swollen as
they
were even yesterday though my hands, face, and torso are still holding a
lot
of the water. I only lost 5 of the 20 pounds of water so far. If my feet
had still been swollen I wouldn't have had a choice but to stay home.

As I expected, the environment of the race served to provide a little
energy
boost. I was no longer shooting for 45 min and after a brief warmup run I
figured I'd be happy with 50-55 min. There were over 500 people
registered
by the starting time. I started toward the back, took 12 seconds to cross
the starting line and off I went. The first mile was the hardest - I
couldn't believe how long it took, then as they were calling out the times
and I heard 9:18 I realized I was right where I wanted to be and doing
better than I thought.

That gave me enough energy to get through the next mile pretty easily and
then due to my experiences in training and counting my breaths I knew I
had
to pull back a tad for the 3rd mile or risk not having enough to finish.
There were some uphill grades in the third mile, plus the turnaround at
the
2.5 mile point, but I was saving myself for miles 4 & 5.

The last two miles weren't hard, but I had a hard time breathing. It was
around 30 degrees and we were on streets with traffic so the fumes from
trucks and from fireplaces & woodstoves all served to interfere with my
breathing. This is where the extra poundage really came into play to try
and screw things up. I was starting to peak at the end of the 4th mile
but
I could hear *all* of you (even having never actually heard your voices)
cheering me on.

About .3 mile before the finish, a friend of mine who already finished had
doubled back and found me and ran the end with me providing coaching and
support. I did a full sprint into the finish chute and was kind of
shocked
to see the clock. I thought I'd lost time with the breathing trouble. DH
was at the finish and had my bag with everything. A little water, a shot
of
albuterol and I was good to go

I didn't place in either the weight or age division and I didn't really
expect to. I finished and did better than I thought I would since a few
days ago I thought I might not even be in the race.

Thanks again for all of your support. I think it helped me take this on
in
spite of the difficulties I've been having. Off to a loooong hot bath,
some
hot tea, and early to bed.

Jenn

On Sat, 6 Mar 2004 17:21:54 -0600, "JMA" wrote:

Yes indeed there is a race to report!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:05
mile 1: 9:18
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 11:00
mile 4: 9:32
mile 5: 9:35

You're so brave.
The time is astonishing.
I'm so proud of you
and if YOU can do that, well ...
I was starting to peak at the end of the 4th mile but
I could hear *all* of you (even having never actually heard your voices)
cheering me on.

Jenn, I feel so proud for you. I wish I could have been there to
cheer you on

janice
233/177/133

On Sat, 6 Mar 2004 17:21:54 -0600, "JMA" wrote:

Yes indeed there is a race to report!

"JMA" wrote in message
...
Yes indeed there is a race to report!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:05
mile 1: 9:18
mile 2: 9:40
mile 3: 11:00
mile 4: 9:32
mile 5: 9:35

[snip]
.. Off to a loooong hot bath, some
hot tea, and early to bed.

Jenn

Jenn, I've been reading what you've been going through and I have tears in
my eyes reading this latest post. YAY!!! I'm sooo glad you were able to
race and I'm so glad you did as well as you did! It must be immensely
satisfying to know the obstacles you've overcome!! Very inspiring!
Teri