Bay Breeze 10K Race Report

(All photos courtesy of the Brazen Racing volunteer photographers)

I finished the Bay Breeze 10K in 1:116:07, which was 56th in my age group and 418th overall.  I didn’t quite meet my fantasy time goal of 1:15, but I came darned close!

The race was about a 15 minute drive from my house, so I was glad not to have to get up too early.  I probably should’ve left earlier though; there’s only one way into the marina, and I didn’t consider that traffic would get clogged up.  I also didn’t consider that the lines for bib pickup would be thirty people deep!  Lesson learned:  get there plenty early even when the race is close to home.  I got my bib, used the porta potty and checked my sweatshirt just in time to get to the start line for pre-race instructions.

I didn’t really have time to get nervous before the start gun went off, which was good.  Nor did I have to hold my pace back at the start – the path was so congested that I really couldn’t have gone faster if I’d wanted to.  It was a nice warmup pace for about the first mile.  The weather was perfect, cloudy and cool, but not too cold.

I’m in the gray shirt and black pants, behind the guy in the white shirt and blue shorts.

The crowd thinned out and I was able to run at a comfortable pace for the second mile.  I stopped to walk and grab a sip of water very briefly at the first water station.  The third mile was fairly uneventful.  I felt okay, and just kept telling myself to get to the halfway point.

Just before the turnaround, feeling good enough to muster a thumbs up.  I stopped again quickly at the second water station.

During the second half of the run, I slowed my pace as needed to catch my breath, and sped up as I could.  I wasn’t in pain (except for the blister that perpetually plagues me), but was definitely starting to get tired.

I think I was trying to smile at the photographer here, somewhere during the fourth or fifth mile…looking a little more haggard, posture not so good.  I have since bought some better fitting running shirts.  I didn’t stop at the third and final water station, because I didn’t need the water and quite frankly just wanted to keep moving until I got to the end.

I got really excited when I passed the five mile marker, and told myself that every step past it was farther than I’ve ever run at one time.  I wasn’t trying to go fast, but just to keep going.  My stomach got upset as I turned into the last stretch, and I don’t know if it was because I was excited to finish, or truly exhausted.  I’d like to say that I sprinted across the finish line, but there was no sprinting at that point!

I’m behind the girl in lavender.  I tried to stay ahead of the group with the dog for a good finish photo, but didn’t know where the photographer was!  I have to say that my favorite moment of the day was when I put the medal around my neck.  It was pretty hefty, and made me feel very accomplished.

After walking for a few minutes to cool down, I checked out the food offerings.  There was a ton of food, all sorts of stuff from cakes and pies to bagels to chips and ice cream sandwiches.  Most of it wasn’t vegan, obviously, but I grabbed a handful of pretzels, some orange wedges, and half a banana with a smear of peanut butter.

I have to say that for such a large race (about 1600 people), it was extremely well organized.  The course was well marked, there were plenty of supplies and volunteers, and I have a very good first impression of Brazen Racing.  I’ll definitely consider participating in more of their races in the future.

Look at the cute schwag!

Having focused mostly on running for quite a while now, I’m going to take a few weeks to do some other activities I’ve been missing, like going to classes at the gym, yoga, trying out some forms of strength training, and maybe even tennis.  I’ll still run a few miles once or twice a week, but want to vary my focus for a little while.  The next race I’m registered for is a half marathon in July, so I’m planning to start running more again in mid-March, and begin a twelve week training plan in mid-April.

Thursday, 2/23/12

breakfast – Clif Mojo Peanut Butter Pretzel bar, banana
AM snack – apple, coffee w/ hazelnut soy creamer
lunch – Spicy Green Tomatillo & Avocado Smoothie, Jicama Slaw, Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Cornbread
PM snack – 1 1/2 servings everything crackers
dinner – 10 tortilla chips w/ salsa, burrito (rice, beans, lettuce, hot sauce, guacamole), 12 oz MGD 64, 10 oz red wine

exercise – 30 minutes walking

daily points used:  28
weekly points used:  25
activity points earned:  2

Friday, 2/24/12

breakfast – half a sprouted English muffin w/ 1 Tbs each almond butter w/ roasted flaxseeds & blueberry preserves
AM snack – apple, pear, coffee w/ hazelnut soy creamer
lunch – Spicy Green Tomatillo & Avocado Smoothie, Jicama Slaw, Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Cornbread
PM snack – 12 almonds w/ 1 Tbs raisins
dinner – red curry lentil stew with wild rice, brown rice & spinach
after dinner – 2 oz coconut vodka w/ 2 oz pineapple juice, 1 oz triple sec & lime fizzy water, 2 oz whiskey, 2 servings multi-grian pretzel nuggets

exercise – 40 minutes yoga

daily points used:  28
weekly points used:  21
activity points earned:  3

red curry lentil stew with wild rice, brown rice & spinach

Saturday, 2/25/12

breakfast – grits w/ 1 tsp Earth Balance, coffee w/ almond milk
lunch – red curry lentil stew w/ wild rice, brown rice & spinach, pear
PM snack – smoothie (banana, 2 Tbs rolled oats,2 tsp coconut butter, almond milk, chocolate chips)
dinner – 3 oz baked tofu, grilled asparagus, grilled portobello, grilled fingerling potatoes w/ garlic, 18 oz red wine

daily points used:  28
weekly points used:  3
activity points used:  13

Sunday, 2/26/12

breakfast – sweet potato cornbread, Earl Grey tea
lunch – 3 oz baked tofu, grilled asparagus, grilled portobello, grilled fingerling potatoes w/ garlic
PM snack – banana
dinner – burrito (Gardein asada, spanish rice, beans, lettuce, salsa, pickled jalapenos)

exercise – ran 3 miles (35 minutes)

daily points used:  28
activity points earned:  6
activity points used:  5

Monday, 2/27/12

breakfast – sweet potato cornbread
AM snack – apple, coffee w/ hazelnut soy creamer
lunch – red curry lentil stew w/ wild & brown rice & spinach, grilled asparagus, side salad (romaine, radish, bell pepper,cucumber, fat free balsamic vinaigrette)
PM snack – 18 almonds, banana
dinner – roasted romanesco, mushroom & tomatoes, creamy picatta gf pasta, sauteed red onion & swiss chard

exercise – 45 minute TurboKick class

daily points used:  28
activity points earned:  7
activity points used:  2

Creamy Picatta Sauce recipe here