Practice Run

This past Saturday both Twins got together for a practice run with each of their co-workers who are running their first 5k race at the BLT run this Saturday, the 25^th (2 months until Christmas).

Twin 2 met up with her co-worker, CF at 6:50 a.m. at the BLT Elementary School where the race will start and end.  Even though the school is about a 5/10 minute walk from Twin 2’s house she got her husband to drive her (it was still dark and he was on his way out anyway).  It took a few drive bys in the school parking lot to find CF (did we mention it was still dark) but she happened to be standing right in front of us the entire time.  

As it was still dark at that hour of the morning Twin 2 had her head lamp on to light the way.  CF set her phone and Twin 2 set her Garmin and were off.  We were soon to discover that the head lamp didn’t really work.  We think it was positioned wrong as Twin 2 had a hat on and the lamp was sitting above the bill and kind of pointing upward as opposed to right on the forehead and pointing straight ahead.  Once we got in the trail it didn’t really seem that dark anymore so the light wasn’t really needed.  

Twin 2 had her Garmin set for run 10 / walk 1.  We ran the first set but then did a combo of whatever CF felt like as she was struggling from an onset of a cold.  The first 2.5 k we went into the trail and as it looks flat there is a tiny little incline the whole way.  Once we hit the 2.5 k mark we turned around and headed back.  The way back was much easier and before Twin 2 knew it we came out of the trail and back to the start.  To get to the end we had to run up a smaller hill so we each sprinted up and ran down the other side trying to visialize where the finish line will be.  CF had a 5k PB of 43:27.  We checked to see if her phone matched my Garmin for distance and time and they did then CF deleted hers BY MISTAKE but Twin 2 still has her record so all is good.  But what does it matter?  She’s going to BEAT that record on actual race day this Saturday anyway.

Saturday is calling for rain showers….of course.      

Twin 1 and her co worker CC were supposed to meet up with Twin 2 and CF but CC’s son moved up a level in Hockey and therefore had to change arena and practice times on Saturday morning.  We then decided to go after they were done and after running errands.   Twin 1 got a text around 3:30 p.m asking if she wanted to go.  We did the whole “we could today or tomorrow whatever you want” texting but it was settled that we would go that day as scheduled. 

We met at the start of the BLT trail at the Coke plant at 4:00 p.m.  Twin 1 of course had no idea what to wear as the weather is weird this time of year but knew it was above 0 degrees so a tank and capris would do.  CC had on capris and a ¾ sleeve COTTON shirt…Twin 1 said nothing.  

We followed CC's couch to 5k plan that she has been doing since Twin 1 signed her up for this run.  She is on the last week so the plan was to walk 5, run 35 and walk 5 hoping it would get them to 5k.  

We started off down the trail and there was a family out getting their fall pictures done which was nice in the trail as the leaves were so pretty.  CC brought her music she listens to and Twin 1 was excited for music but for some reason it wouldn’t work….so it would have to be either running in silence or chatting.  Twin 1 didn't mind either option but for the most part Twin 1 and 2 run in silence and get lost in their own world.  

After the first 5 k warmup walk we took off.  CC was doing really well and going a good pace.  We made it to the water falls which is 2.5 k and turned around.  On the way back this part of the trail is the “slight incline” that is unnoticeable until you run and until the very end where you can see the hill.  During the run CC made a comment about water.   Neither of us figured we would need it as it was 5 k but it was so HUMID and could have used some.   On the last 4 k we talked about what clothing to wear and what materials worked best.  We have now come to realize that anything you wear doesn’t stop actual sweating but particular materials do help.   At 4.5 k it was time to walk as the 35 min run was over so we walked the rest of the way back.   

We both felt good after, did some stretching and off we went our separate ways. 

Lessons learned: 

1-      Bring Water

2-      Do not wear Cotton when working out

3-      Outdoor running is harder than Treadmill

 

 Stayed tuned for the BLT 5k Fun Run Recap.