| 10K Interactive Map | 10K Non-Interactive Map |
|---|---|
| 5K Interactive Map | 5K Non-Interactive Map |
So I have the 100 miler in less than 2 weeks and I actually thought about doing the Ocean to Sound relay (team of 1). Fortunatly/Unfortunatly Jessie expressed interest in doing this instead. This wasn't a "fun" run even tho the kids race was billed as such but I jump ahead too much.
So, I consulted the kids as to what they wanted to do. Jessie was content in doing the Kids 1 Mile Adventure Course. Jeremy was content in doing the 5K. I, of course, had no choice but the 10K. I was hoping the kids would run a little in the summer as a prep but that didn't happen too much. Still, you don't run the whole race per se. Take the 10K for example. It's a perfect case of the "sum of the parts is equal to the sum of the whole". You end up running 10K but not in 1 shot. Instead you run smaller, more manageable pieces seperated by obstacles. The obstacles can of course be either easy or difficult, fast or slow.
It's interesting how everyone approaches things. Jessie was very interested in both finding friends to do it with and to get information on the course. The website had none. Jeremy tried briefly to get 2 friends to do the race and didn't care about looking at the race site for course info. I, of course, looked at the course info. Knowledge is power, right?
Adele last minute considered this race and wanted my opinion the night before. Hm...Didn't give it to her. I wasn't gonna be the one she will hate because she did or didn't do it. Nope - no thanks. She wasn't happy about it but decided not to go. I think Heidi was there, shaping her decision. After doing the course, I am convinced that it was the right decision. Yes - Adele ain't the most adroit but she could have handled it. Still, it wasn't just a trail run. It was more of a technical trail run. A lot of uneven bricks and rocks and I am suprised not that many people got injured but more on that later.
My race was scheduled for 8:15, Jeremy's at 9:45 while Jessie's was for 12:30. The schedule was actually even more hectic. They had 2 starts for the 10K (8:15 and 8:45) and within each start they had multiple waves. The same goes for the 5K. Basically you constantly heard the horn go off as runners crossed the starting line. I think it also made it more real for Jessie. This was the first time she wore a timing chip and stood in a corral for the start.
The drive only took about 25 minutes but we had to leave early for parking and checking in. I remember last time I did this, it took a while so we did leave early.
Got there no prob. The Throgs neck bridge had 1 lane out of commission on the other side but we flew. Found good parking and went to check-in. Jeremy and I got tech shirts. Last time it was a nice color brown. This time it was an olive green color. Jessie got a cotton shirt.
The night before I made sure to pack clean clothes for all of us and 5 towels. I also made sure the kids picked their race clothes too. The only thing I forgot was a garbage bag for the dirty clothes but that was easy to fix. I saw the parks people put new black garbage bags in and I liberated one. The other thing that was really nice this year was the weather. When I did it, it was in the 40's and I froze. This time it was high 50's or low 60's. NICE!
So, we got there and immediatly noticed that Nesquick is a sponsor. After we checked in and got our stuff, we immediatly went there. Free Chocolate milk == happy kids so that was good. They also had a throw a bean bag through a hole contest. You get 3 chances. One in the hole = Keychain, two in the hole = keychain + coupon, three in the hole = Keychain + coupon + sunglasses. Jessie got a keychain and Jeremy got a ketchain and the coupon. He then realized the coupon was for a free huge container of Chocolate Mile powder and he was ecstatic. I asked him if at this point he already is having a great day no matter what the race brings on and he said YEAH! So little to make him happy...
Met up with Julia Gross and her parents. Her dad, Jeff was doing the 10K at 8:45 and they were going to try to get Julia into the Kids run. The website said online registration was closed but day off was open but they weren't sure. I was...
Before long, it was my turn to line up. Wave 0 was for Military and Personal Safety people. Wave 1 was for fastest, wave 2 was slower etc... I already knew to get into wave 1, so I slipped in there. Elizabeth couldn't understand why I was so nervous but it just is. Doesn't matter how many races, still get nervous.
I truly like this race even tho they seemed to have made the 10K harder but I have 1 major complaint. The start is horrible. I noted it 3 years ago and again now. It's tight, narrow and immediatly you make a left and a right. It's uneven terrain and full of rocks.
The volunteers are all either military or ROTC so no suprise when the race started with military personal brought out the American flag and the Air Force flag with an honor guard (2 soldiers with rifles). The national anthem went off and the honor guard moved out of the way.
Wave zero went off with 7 or 8 people. Soon enough they had us move up and we went off. Made it out of there (left and right) and onto the uneven cement boardwalk and immediatly onto the first obstacle - low beam. It wasn't even on the list of things. I kept my cool but lot of people kept falling off and climbing back on. Soon enough off the boardwalk and onto the grass and onto some hurdles to climb over. I can't think off the order of events but at 1 point we got to the tires. Football players usually go through tire hurdles but it was a little different here. Instead of 1 tire high, they had them 2 high. It wasn't a problem until I lost my shoe. What?!? Stepped to the side and took care of it.
Pretty much found my stride and it seemed that the rabbits would pass me on the run while I attacked the obstacles with a "balls to the wall" attitude and passed them there. Constantly leap frogging with people. The interactive map on the top of this page has the obstacles so there's no point in me really trying to remember them exactly but some need more attention.
Just a quick note: There was also a brick division where males carry 5 bricks and females carry 3. I can't imagine running with bricks in a bag on my back.
Some interesting obstacles...
High Beam: We had already done the low beam but suddenly we had the high beam. I chose the right most which was free of people but it was on a little hill so it wasn't sturdy. Climbed on, go forward, step up to a higher one, go forward, step down to a lower one, go forward and jump off. I didn't fall off or lose my balance but plenty people did. This was a 10K only obstacle.
Slide: You climb up a cargo net and scoot down on a slide. This was real fun. The 10Kers had this twice while the 5Kers only did this once.
Kiddie Pool: They had a huge kiddie pool set up with a net on top. All you had to do was go under the net, pretty much submerge yourself in the water, and get to the other side. When I went in, the water was clear. When Jeremy went in, the water was black.
Resistance Bands: You cross an obstacle while stepping on something like resistance bands just stronger. You had ropes on top to help. This was kinda cool.
House of Cards: Imagine a 2 story house made of ropes as walls. You climb up to the first level, get across, climb another story and again cross. Once you are there, you go down, cross and again down. It's unfortunate there's no picture for it because it's hard to explain. Jeremy and I got to do this once each. Besides the starting to go down, people seemed to have a hard time crossing. I solved it easily by rolling on it. Why either risk falling or bruising the knees by cruising? When Jeremy did it, I told him to roll and this dude (who looked like Carl the lifeguard from the YMCA and who was filming the whole thing with a camera) listened. That was cool especially since he and Jeremy were constantly leap frogging each other.
Sand Bag Carry: Pick a sack of sand weighing between 20-40 lbs and run up a hill and then back down.
Vertical Wall: Climb up and over and then go down using 2 X 4 planks. Neither of us had any issues but something did happen to someone else when Jeremy went...This woman went over and was on her way down when she slipped. It's always "funny" in the movies or America's Funniest Home Videos when the Dad/Uncle/Brother or some male gets hit in the crotch. Well, as the woman went down, she slipped and fell about 3 feet and landed on the plank between her legs. The plank reverbated quite ugly like and everyone went quiet. Someone went to her and aske her if she's ok and she said yes and got off the plank. She then took a step or 2 and went down to a crouch. She was not ok...
Take a dip in the Long Island Sound: You're almost there to the finish...Run down to the water on the sand which sucked and then straight into the water. Go out, make a right, go straight, make a right and then onto shore and then another incredibly hard run on the sand. Obviously when Jeremy did it it was low tide because when I did it, I tried to avoid a little of the water. When Jeremy did it, that area I tried to avoid was without water. Elizabeth suggested swimming which originally seemed like a good idea but it didn't seem so hot when I was there. I was also glad, Jeremy didn't try to because I was afraid of his glasses.
Slippery Mountain: Basically an inclined wall with ropes that have knots to use to climb. The wall is soaped down to make it harder. Last time, I did this you simply run over. In fact they let Jonathon Schulmann do just that. When we both got there, they told us that it's different. You lay down on your stomach and pull yourself up on the rope. Jeremy had issues reaching but a little push helped. I did see a dwarf lining up in one of the corrals. I truly don't know how they managed some of the obstacles. Still, kudos to them.
I missed this but someone told me later. When Jeremy was doing the 5K, right after he got up this obstacle, on the other side there was a guy on the ground being attended to by EMS with a stretcher near by. Oi...
So, I ran and leapfrogged with people. They made up time on me during the run but I passed them on the obstacles. Lost a little of time when I lost my shoe but it was ok. Still, at 1 point, it seemed like everyone settled into their pace and I was running with this guy. Initially we were leap frogging but when we were on the trails, he was on me and I offered to let him pass but he said NOPE. Lost him on obstacles but then he would catch up. Had a nice talk and he told me there is a pushup station and I said "what?!?", I mean it wasn't on the map. Whatever...
We ran and I lost him on an obstacle and I continueed on. I was running well. Got to the Sand Bag Carry and did my thing. As I finished, he showed up but I continuued. I knew that if he wouldn't see me, he would probably not be able to catch me. It's a mental game so I increased my pace. I got to 2 girls standing on a blue mat and I thought they were cheering me on but they called me to stop and asked if I am planning on doing my pushups. Argh...Guess he was right. I was the only on there so I got down and started. They started counting but didn't expect me to do them so fast and they lost count. I didn't. When Jeremy got there he was one of 10 and I am sure people cheated but you only cheat yourself. Still, did mine and ran off telling them to tell the dude behind me that he was right and I was wrong.
I continued on and you can see the course on the interactive map so there's no point in me going through it. I was a little worried about time tho and I asked someone the time and they told me it was 9:15 and that was right before the water. Why was I worried? Either Lee or I were going to go with Jeremy and they started the 8:15 start late. I was worried I won't finish in time. When I heard 9:15, I was able to breathe. Did my thing and finally after the slippery mountain dove into the mud pit. I was the only one in there. I heard cheering and my name called but I could not look to see what's what.
Why could I not look around? Seems like an obvious question...Well, for one thing I had mud all over my face. The other reason was that I was on a roll. I knew I was doing well and I was concentrating on moving forward. I really can't wait for the professional pictures. I think I had a raw animal ferocity thing going on. Got through there and ran through the finish line. Got water and rinsed my face. Turns out, Elizabeth and the kids and Julia and her mom and Sivana and a whole bunch of people I knew were there. Also, since I was in the top 20 of the first start, I was the only one truly in the mud pit and everyone stared...
Once I finished and cleaned up a little, I gave some advice to Jeremy and some of the other people there. Rabbi Kogan was very worried and I tried to calm him down. He was a trooper tho. Some people asked me my time. I told them my time and they were amazed. This was embarrassing as they then said something like "Let me get this straight...Your 10K time which includes not only double my distance but extra obstacles will be faster than my 5k time...". I try to tell it all in my race reports which may not seem "modest" of me but I am modest and that was embarrassing. I immediatly deflected with "just do your best...you already rock just for showing up and lining up today". I do mean that by the way!
On a different note, I told Lee that it would probably take me an hour or so or probably more. I was wrong....I did well. I really thought I PRed for this race. Last time I did this was 3 years ago, a week after my first Ironman. I kicked butt this time and was actually about 6 minutes slower! I think they had more obstacles, harder obstacles and they definitely changed the course. It was more technical too... Still, I'm happy.
Meanwhile, while I was running, the kids and Lee were busy. Yes - they had a good time...They went and used a slingshot to hurl balls on to a target getting prizes and also went inside a big hamster ball. It will be in the picture page.
Ok...Lined up with Jeremy. People were suprised to see me in the corral. They figured I was just pep talking Jeremy but as I wasn't leaving the corral it became obvious that I was gonna run again. I was the only one all muddy before the 5K even started.
Another embarrassing moment..."You're running the 5K after doing the 10K?"... I wasn't trying to make anyone feel bad but in truth, it's actually less distance than I am used to so it wasn't really an issue and I was going to go Jeremy's pace. I, of course, didn't say any of that out loud...
So the horn blew and Jeremy almost immediatly fell down. Man...I quickly got in back of him and set up a protected field around him. I was really afraid someone would topple over him. Not on my watch. Donald said I should have picked him up. Nope...Not my place. His race - his job. Sounds awful but it's not. After that no more silly stuff like that tho he did mention that there were a few places in the technical trail that he "almost" fell.
He did the obstacles like a real trooper and listened to me when I directed him. During the 2 mud pits (small one after the kiddie pool) and the big one he also gave me his glasses. Cool.
At the small mud pit, there was a drill sargent huge guy screaming to "move faster ladies". Haha...
He finished and he and I went to the hoses to clean up. I rinsed him off and interestingly enough he was cold...Yes - the water out of the hoses was cold but it didn't bother me. He was actually cold and I had to grab him. From there, straight to the car and we changed at the car with me holding a towel and him between the towel and the car. Later I did that with Jessie too...
Got him a piece of chocolate muffin and a Nesquick and he was happy. Got some food too from the food trucks. He tasted and actually liked spanish french fries. They're thicker and taste great. A few sliders also went a long way. He had smelled someone BBQing and wanted meat.
Jessie and Julia lined up in the 10year old Mixed corral. Her classmate and friend Myles was there too and he said that he and his 2 friends had 1 goal and that is to beat Jessie. OK... I couldn't sneak in with her which sucked and I was really worried about the mad start. Didn't want her falling too.
The announcer said that any kid who catches up to the pacers will get $ 100.00 and that in 3 years he never had to pay up. Well, one of the older kids passed the pacers so I wonder...
Someone told me that the 11 year old boys had an issue. Someone fell and they all crashed on top and then immediatly got up and ran. Wonderful. Once the girls left, all we could do was go to the mudpit before the finish. Eventually, Jessie and Julia showed up. It was embarrassing seeing the kids finish and pass some of the adults doing the 5K. Jessie finished the mud pit and waited for julia and they finished together. They both got the same incredible time (11:05) but Julia was listed first which is fine. From there, I took them both by hand to the hoses. They were muddy and no one wanted to hold them and they couldn't see.
I felt like the Sherrif in First Blood (first Rambo movie) when they hosed him off. I kept hosing them off and they kept having mud come off them. Finally, I could see the original color of Julia's sweat pants and more mud and more mud came out.
From there to the car and they got dressed. Luckily I brought 5 towels as they forgot to bring Julia a towel...Silly...
It was a great day besides for the fact that we got caught in a major traffic jam coming home. We went to the Hutchinson Parkway to the Whitestone which was horrible but suddenly found us on the Throgs Neck Bridge which we knew sucked. Finally got home and walked LC and showered and eventually my mom, sister and nephew came and we had a good time.
Jessie's complaint was that they didn't have enough obstacles and why run so much on the beach. Oh well...
Remember the Carl doppledanger? I found his video on youtube. He fastforwarded the running and made the obstacles normal speed. We are there...
Lastly, my eyes were really bothering me at home. After I dropped my sister and her son at the subway, I looked in the mirror and realized my eyes had a lot of discharge. At a redlight, I looked a little more and realized the problem only I needed to be home to take care of it. When I finally got home, I dealt with it. I had mud in my eye. Elizabeth got annoyed at me for the way I was trying to deal with it but it worked. Washed my hands thoroughly and then with my fingers, moved the eyelid out of the way and touched the eyeball until I could get all the mud out and all the discharge and there was a lot of that. After that, I felt MUCH better...