Jingle Jog 5K report

Paul C.
on 12/14/10 1:42 am, edited 12/14/10 1:56 am - Cumming, GA
Atlanta Jingle Jog 5K This was my second 5K event and I still get nervous and fell like the fat guy in large crowds, much less participating in a physical event with close to 2000 people.

I had been fighting a nasty cough all week, and woke up at 6:30am Saturday morning to get in some fluids and eat some breakfast before getting ready to head out. My son woke up at almost 5 and we had breakfast together, before getting everyone else up and ready.

Arrived to the run location about 6:45 to welcoming 34 degrees, we get checked in and meet up with a few friends who were also running. People started heading to the starting point at about 7:50 with my son, some friends and I following the crowd. At about 8:05 the crowd of people all started moving and the run had begun, and I am almost instantly separated from my son who is with a friend of his.   The start was impossible as it was a mass start and getting around or between people who were walking or pushing strollers was near impossible. I rounded the first real turn to what was the second of 4 legs and about died, this whole section of the run was pretty much uphill. My morning runs are on a flat trail or a treadmill so the concept of actually running up a hill is not one I have even considered at this point, so I walked a bit then ran a bit then walked some more and like the little engine that could I made it to the top. About half way between the next turn and the following is yet another hill. The last leg was totally downhill so I was able to maintain what is a decent pace for me. The app that I use to record my runs calls out 3.1 miles and a time of 39:20, but I was still .17 miles from the official finish line. I cross the finish line at 41:19, I felt I probably could have done better if not for the hills but I was happy with a +6 minute improvement on my first time. My son finished in a little over 40 minutes and had a blast.

I will do this run next year and now know what to expect, not only in this run but in runs that have a lot more people.

Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op  (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03      
      First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (
PR 2:24:35)   
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Seht
on 12/14/10 1:50 am
Congrats on a great day.
Any race you can start and finish is a great race.  Some greater than others, but still a great race.

Merry Christmas and keep up the good work next year.

Scott

The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!

roy-t
on 12/14/10 2:46 am
Good Job!
Always feels good to see an improvement from your last run.

Nothing more irritating than people ( I hesitate to say women, because I have seen men too) with a double stroller.  And inevitably they have 3 or 4 friends that want to pace with them.  Come on, really you are taking a 20 foot swath and holding everybody up.  Get the flip out of the way! 
(OK I feel better now).

ROY

fatoldbat
on 12/14/10 5:45 am
what do you eat before your run?  and how long after eating do you run?  i'm struggling a bit with this issue as i'm supposed to be low carb but everybody says eat carbs before the race??
Blessings,  J
HW 250.4/SW 238/1ST GOAL 155/2ND GOAL 150/CW 143.6
    LW-Apple-Gold-Small.jpg image by PlicketyCat
Paul C.
on 12/14/10 9:01 pm - Cumming, GA
I had a piece of peanutbutter whole wheat toast.  Usually I eat something about 30-60 minutes prior to my workout.  Since I had to drive to this event and then wait for the start it was about 2 and a half  hours  which I don't  know if it was to long.

I know it did make some difference as I still had energy when entering the race and the hills while bad didn't totally exhaust me.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op  (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03      
      First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (
PR 2:24:35)   
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Grandpa-G
on 12/14/10 9:49 am - Grandville, MI
 Congrats on a great run and what sounds and looks like a great time...any time you can spend with your kids is great!  Keep up the great work!
Eating junk food and CRAP is not a reward...it's a punishment...
  it's a DEATH sentence...Reward yourself with Good Health!
Highest Weight: 287 Lbs-January 2010; Reached Goal 195 Lbs - Dec 2010 
Total Lost: 92 Lbs;  Completed FULL MARATHON (26.2 Miles) 10-16-2011
           
sunni1974
on 12/14/10 11:30 am
Congrats on completing your second race and improving your time so much even when you weren't prepared for the uphill terrain!
mcarthur01
on 12/14/10 10:52 pm - Cumming, GA
great job on the race, hills are no joke (i like them on the bike, hate them on the run).... congrats on the PR too!
Where are we going??  And why am I in this handbasket??

right now.  somewhere.  somebody is working harder than you.

Jillian O.
on 12/15/10 2:28 am - Fort Riley, KS
Congrats on the race, and big congrats on doing something great and healthy with your son!

Jillian
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran, Army Wife, 3x Ironman Finisher

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