There are easier and closer races than this but I do this race for Mary and for ice cream.

I ran it in 2011 and I was in great shape coming off 2 half marathons but still only finished at 29:24.

Last year, I went to watch her run (I was injured ;( ).

This year, I was excited to be healthy again and running. I hoped to finish under 30 minutes but you never know how things will go. (I should mention that yesterday my sinuses were bothering me all day…either a cold coming on or more likely allergies.  I had a bloody nose in the morning and another one at night…this is a prelude to race day...)

The forecast was for sunshine and warm temps but you never know.).

The race started at noon. So you don’t have to get up early but it kinda kills the day and it’s hard to fuel properly. And it was warmer than last week’s race. (I kept changing my mind on an outfit…eventually I opted for a tank top & skirt.)

This year, my tennis friend, MaryPat, decided that she wanted to run this race too. (However, at the last minute, she cancelled…due to a sore knee.)

It’s about 45 minutes from my house but I left extra early in order to get parking, get my bib, and locate Mary.

After I picked up my race packet, I watched Meghan’s Mile and the amazing fast kids!! Then Mary texted me and we met up and headed to the start.

The race was dedicated to the Boston Marathon. They asked how many racers ran it, watched it, qualified etc.  I was surprised at how many BQers were in this race.

After an emotional “Sweet Caroline” and national anthem, the 5k started.

There is a big hill at the start which I managed to run up (slowly).  Actually the whole race was rolling hills and of course, you have to go up a hill toward the end.

It was warm & I was very thirsty but choose not to stop at the 1st water stop.

Then the race took a turn for the worse.  My nose started running but I quickly realized that it was another nose bleed…ugh and no tissues (yes, STUPID).  What’s a runner to do?  Yup, wipe with one hand and then the other.  It was gross.  I thought about quitting but I am too stubborn.  I just hoped that the photographer did not catch how disgusting I looked.  Only one guy stopped me to ask if I was ok (probably there was blood all over my face) and told me that I should go the EMT in the nearby ambulance.  I said that it was only a nose bleed and I was fine.

Of course, it was hard to run and wipe my the blood dripping from my nose but I did manage to finish.  I crossed at 30:26 (Garmin time) and 30:31 official time.

I immediately went to get napkins and water to clean up and by that time, Mary had finished too (and my nose had stopped bleeding.)

Unlike my last 5k, there was a lot of food – bagels, Greek yogurt, cookies, donuts, fruit, chocolate milk, Propel water, etc.

But we headed to the Stewart’s ice cream stand:

We looked at the results since they were giving out medals to the top 3 in  each AG.  I think I was 13th out of 89 in the 10 yr AG. (but this time 3rd in the next AG)

Race Stats:

finished 384 out of 964

Splits:

Mile 1: 9:16 (pre-nose bleed)
Mile 2: 10:06
Mile 3: 10:06
.12: 8:17

Sean’s Run is a very fun race.  Lots of community support.  (Read the story here.) But not an easy course…hills.  (I hate hills!)

On the way home, I stopped at the Corning Bike Trail to run more but I was too hot and tired … walked/ran another 2 miles.

Happy Running! How was your weekend?  Any running?