Lessons Learned

Here are the top 20 in no particular order:

1. It's not cheap. In retrospect, I could've committed to 10 marathons, gained all the benefits and saved a bundle.
2. It's ok to walk. So many have finished races ahead of me after walking a lot, and taking selfies.
3. Fast runners come in all shapes and sizes, with capes and strollers, etc. 
4. Racing frequently takes the fun away. 8 in 18 days was too much for me. 4 in 4 weeks is healthy.  
5. Practice good sportsmanship. I make more friends and learn more by staying for the awarding, even if I don't win anything.
6. Running in the rain is fun.

5K #50, Harvest 5K run/walk - the making

In April 2014, I created the goal of running 50 individual 5K races before my 5Oth birthday, Sep 30, 2015. After several races, I realized that I could do something more than just race and donate to some cause I didn't really care for. I wanted my 50th race to be more meaningful, and to help do some good in my own backyard. So I toyed with the thought of organizing my first race and talked to my hubby about this possibility.

In January 2015, hubby and I invited a few friends over for dinner and that night, a race committee was born!

None of us had any experience in organizing a race.  It was a daunting project.

Here is a list of what we thought we needed:

1. Location 
2. Date 
3. Race Name 
4. Marketing and Promotions 
5. Online registration 
6. Shirts 
7. Awards 
8. Volunteers 
9. Food 
10. Beneficiary

A 50K was not part of the plan but I did it anyway

Crossing the finish line with Jennifer Palmer (left). 
Photo courtesy of Virginia Beach Distance Races

Yay! I'm an ultramarathoner. What does that even mean? First, a 50K is not ten 5Ks, although it is equivalent to it. It is hundreds of training miles, countless hours of running (and walking), aches and pains, strength training, and a lot of work that all came together to help me cross the finish line of the Virginia Beach Distance Races afoot on Sunday, Feb 8, 2015.

#35 – Runner’s World Half Festival, shaved 10 minutes and lessons learned

A historical moment with running legends

Maricar and Bart Yasso.

5K #35 started at the Steel Stacks in Bethlehem, PA on Oct 18, 2014. It was the beginning of the Hat Trick, a 3-part race consisting of a 5K and 10K on Saturday, and half marathon on Sunday for a total of 22.4 miles in 1 weekend. Each race was timed separately.

This year was the 3rd annual Runner’s World Half Festival and each year, I participated in various events:

2012, my first half marathon 

2013, first hat trick (6 weeks after my first full marathon) 

2014, hat trick

#33 - Fit to Food 5K, about the race and return from social networking

Anne (left) and Maritza (right) placed 2nd and 1st, respectively in the 

50-59 Age Group. Maritza finished in 22:54.

I apologize that it's been over 10 races since I last updated this blog. I thought I could just recap my races in Facebook because many of my friends are already there and can quickly respond to each post. It’s also easier for me to load pictures and short stories from my phone to Facebook versus updating this blog. However, social networking sites have limitations.

First and foremost, posts made via Facebook are not searchable. If you were interested in reading about a race from 2 weeks ago, you may have to scroll endlessly through my timeline to find it. Second, there are so many stories in my newsfeed, and so little time to read all of them.

#25 - 2nd Emmaus Dash and Splash 5K

I had no intentions of splashing but after the storm, there was no choice.

The 2nd Emmaus Dash and Splash, held in Emmaus, Pennsylvania on July 23, 2014 was originally organized to provide 5K participants an opportunity to swim in the community pool.  However, due to lightning and thunder, they closed the pool early.

#21 - 5K Run for the Park: no awards, so I bought rewards

With Jennifer after the race.

My ultimate goal was to race towards the Premium Outlets right after finishing the 5K. And guess what? I did!

The 5K started at 8:15 am, right after the kids finished their race. The weather was surprisingly pleasant: 65F in July, low humidity, cloud cover, and breezy. The organizers advertised a relatively flat course. Yet again, I was blessed with conditions that I thought would help me beat my personal record (PR) of 26:59 (minutes:seconds).

I positioned myself in front of the starting line. It was a wide line, about 2 car lanes wide, so I didn't have to worry about blocking the fast runners.

#22 - 3rd annual Beat Beethoven 5K, it was classic!

Beethoven ran!

I always made my children listen to classical music, even before they were born. During the 9 months when they enjoyed solace in my womb, I would read books to them while Mozart played in the background.  I believe that classical music assists brain development,  lowers blood pressure, accelerates growth, and more.  

It seems like all those hours of listening to classical tunes worked because my eldest daughter graduated suma cum laude while my other daughter graduated top 5 of her high school class.  However, I never listened to classical music while running, until after I finished this race.

My first experience of a race does not happen at the starting line, it begins with the event website

First, I'd like to thank organizers of races everywhere. I can only imagine how much work is involved: soliciting sponsors, getting volunteers and training them, marketing, producing shirts to give away, securing a safe route, and more.

I have never organized a race myself, but I have participated in many. I am a strong supporter of various causes. In choosing a race, however, the cause is not my number one consideration.

#20 - 2014 Steps 4 Stellar, better with age

1st 100 yards

Studies show that running performance drops after a certain age. However, in this race, I found evidence that contradicts these findings.

Two years ago, at age 46, I ran my first race ever: the 2012 Steps 4 Stellar 5K. I had a blast. Runners registered quickly, signs marked every mile, and cheerful volunteers greeted us at the water station and post-race buffet. There was even a basketball tournament being held in the nearby courts, all adding to the energetic environment. I had a perfect and positive experience, just like this year.

#19 - Sly Fox Wednesday Night 5K Summer Series, fun and beer galore

July afternoon workouts in eastern Pennsylvania (PA), USA can be challenging. It's muggy, and buggy on most days.  No amount of insect spray can keep these pesky gnats away.  I've inhaled and eaten my share of these flying proteins. It's a shame I could never outrun them. What's worse than swallowing bugs?  "It's when they get stuck at the back of your throat," a sly fox runner said.

#18 - Firecracker 5K, an explosive race

Susan and me

No, there weren't any fireworks, but this race was just as entertaining as if there had actually been fireworks.

Race #18 was a very well organized event that was held on Saturday, July 5 in Shillington, Pennsylvania. The race promptly began at 9:15 and by 11 am, I was already on my way home with my lovely trophy and a new personal record (PR). For me, the most exciting part was meeting fellow runners.

#17 - Coney Island COSME 5K, the good and the bad

My first boardwalk competition was held in Coney Island, New York on Sunday, June 29, 2014. Running on wood was a treat, and thanks to other runners who warned me of uneven planks, I finished in good health. I had fun but I expected more from a 22nd event.  

Here are 5 negatives and 8 positives, arranged in the order they were experienced: 

#15 - Monocacy Way 5K, a trail run with a twist

Happy Father's Day!  Thank you, my husband Eric, for letting me do this on your special day.  To let me finish my quest, Eric stayed home with our son, who had a tonsillectomy 3 days earlier.  Isn't he the best?

I started writing this post on June 15, after the race, but I had troubles finishing it because I had a tough time finding good things to say. I don't mean to offend the organizers who graciously refunded my money when I accidentally double paid for the event. This is not going to be pretty, but here we go.

Finding the location of this race reminds me of a scene from the movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth". The main character, Trevor Anderson and his crew were trapped in a cave, then found a way out and into a hidden prehistoric world.

Addicted

This video gets me out the door.  It's very motivating. Love the music titled "Addicted" by Zane Gort.  Too bad I can't find a way to add it to any of my playlists because it is not available in Sportify nor is it for sale anywhere.  I can only listen to it online.

#16 - Laughing at my Nightmare

My usual goal when racing is to either finish under 30 minutes or just finish. This time, I aimed to beat my personal record (PR) of 27:36.  With the forecast of a clear 65F morning, together with the slightly hilly terrain, and asphalt road, I felt I had a very good chance.

#14 - Run for Life

I finished this race in 23:56. I was dumbfounded. That's 3 minutes faster than my best time which happened 3 weeks earlier.  It usually takes me months of training to improve running speed, even by just a single minute.  How is this even possible?

#9 - Matchmaker 5K: it's not what you think

Nope, it's not a dating race, although I did end up meeting a remarkable person. Her name is Erenia from the Republic of Seychelles (ⁱ say-shells; French).

#13 - Appalachian Aquathlon, 5K, & Kid's Triathlon

I participated in this event with my daughter, Michelle. It's the smallest race I've finished so far but the camaraderie among runners and volunteers was amazing. Everyone was a stranger at the starting line, but not after the finish.

#11 - Tortoise and the Hare

5K race #11 happened on Memorial Day Monday, May 26, 2014 in Wind Gap, PA - Tortoise and the Hare.   No awards here (maybe), but I might have broken my personal record.  I really cannot say for sure.