The Tour de Pain Extreme was a 1st annual event in
which you are to run 3 races in the course of 24 hours…a 10k, 5k, and half
marathon. (We have the usual Tour de Pain in the summer time, but instead of a
half marathon, it only has a mile run as the last race.) You had the option to
do all 3 races, or do individual races. 409 of us were ‘Extreme’ers, as I like
to call us, and survived all 3.
I had not run a short
distance race in a very long time and was excited to see my progress after
doing the half marathon a month this past year. I unfortunately disappointed
myself and still found myself out of shape after recovering from the Breast
Cancer Marathon in February. Its amazing how quickly you can get out of shape,
and how long it takes to get back to where you were. I went into this wanting
to PR, but ended up only matching my PR for the 5k, was 3 minutes off for the
10k, and then had one of my fourth slowest race for the half marathon. I have
to remind myself that not every race should be a your personal best, but it is
hard to tell a perfectionist that. ;)
The series had free beer and food after each event, as well as a
live band. The half marathon even had bands lined on the course. All 3 races
took place downtown. I would have liked to have seen them spread out across
town (like the regular Tour de Pain), but on a good note, each race ended on
the same course which was right along the Riverwalk. Gorgeous scenery! Another
downfall is the parking. There is no assigned parking for participants. Which
means it is first come, first serve on the ‘free’ meters (on weekends),
otherwise you have to pay ridiculous parking garage fees. I didn’t have any
problems, but I also arrived at least an hour and half early for each race. All
in all it was a great challenging weekend and I highly recommend the event.
The series started with the 10k on Saturday morning at 7am. It
was a tough course with 2 bridges. (although the beautiful sunrise over the
stadium made the first bridge a little bearable). The weather was only upper 60s and there was
a nice breeze, as storms were predicted to roll in by afternoon. My plan was to
run the entire 6 miles in order to reach my PR. I started off great, but
quickly got a nauseous stomach by Mile 2. Wondering if it was the increased
pace, I decided to back it down a little and paced with a run/walk couple. I
had found myself keeping the faster pace running and having shorter walk breaks,
but more frequent. After the bridges, we had an insane overpass incline and
then turning one of the final turns on the home stretch, we had another insane
ramp! I think I slipped the F word out at this point….which was pretty amazing
because I usually like the bridges/inclines in races, but I was definitely not
feeling them this weekend! I guess its because I knew they were a PR killer and
there was no way I would make it with all of those!
The second race was the 5k Saturday evening at 7p. But not
before I went to work and did 4 hours of overtime. (looking back, I probably
should have stayed home and rested, but times calls for money for future travel
expenses, so that wasn’t really an option). Severe isolated thunderstorms had
been rolling across all afternoon and it did not look promising for our race.
We were even given directions at the starting line to seek shelter if the
lightning was to come. It was dark and windy, which made it for a cool evening.
It all made for an exciting start!
I was set to go all out
for the 5k and make this my fastest one yet. However, I just missed it, and
ended up matching it with the Savannah Rock n Roll half marathon last November.
Ill take it. It was a quick race. The rain held out. A slight drizzle showed up
as we were on the homeward stretch on the Riverwalk, which led to a GORGEOUS full
Rainbow to greet us at the Finish line! I didnt find myself home and settled
until almost 10p to have to turn around and be up at 430am for the 7am half
marathon!
I definitely rolled out of bed a little sore. I could feel that
I pushed myself in the races, but I also could feel I did not get enough rest.
It was a brisk morning and the winds were still pretty high, so I rested in the
car until last minute. When we lined up and I quickly realized my Garmin would
not turn on! It was 4 minutes before the horn, so there was no way I had enough
time to download an app on my phone. I would have to race without a pacer or
timer. Great. I went to turn on my Ipod and couldn’t get that to start either!
What in the world?! Finally that turned on, so of course I went back to my
Garmin to double check that….but no such luck. The good thing was 1st
Place Sports lined up clocks at each mile, so I could figure my pace and I just
recorded it on my phone so I would have it later.
The half marathon course was completely different than the other
2 races…thank god…no bridges or inclines…well, until we got to the end and had
to go over the same overpass incline and ramp at the Riverwalk. Blah!
After starting with a quick loop, it was a straight shot down to
the Springfield Cemetery, and then back. They announced we were going through a
cemetery, which I found appropriate for this ‘extreme’ race…but I didn’t
realize which one it was until we entered. It was where I had my first race for
last years Pink Ribbon Tutu on a Mission! I was super excited running the area
again and reminisced about where I was in my life then and where I am now. Its
been a great running journey!
The temperatures quickly rose and the winds calmed, but luckily
most of the course was in the shade. Good planning. Even still, my body just
didn’t want to run, and I was definitely craving water or liquid of any kind
before each water stop…which is not a good sign. I could feel my muscles
tensing and I started having flashbacks about February’s insanely paralyzing
muscle cramp. I decided I would allow myself to back down and not worry about a
PR. There was just no way anyways with my body feeling worn down, so why push
it? Just enjoy it. Well, as much as I could. I still ran fast when I ran. Ive
definitely improved my speed this past year, but I also allowed myself to walk
more often. Doing so, I found myself pacing with a couple groups of women. I
soon realized these were the same women I had seen all weekend. It was fun to
be with the same people and see how well they were holding up. It was also
interesting to start each race with the same elite runners.
Each race I would look around and see all kinds of people, all
different kinds of athletes of different sizes, ages, abilities. A six pack to
your left, a little extra curves to your right. A 75 year old grandmother lined
up in the back and an 8 year old lined up with her mom. A first time racer over here and an elite
professional over there. We were all brought here for one main reason that only
we know. No one really knows each other’s true potential. You can ‘size’ people
up and say ‘well, at least I can out race them’…and next thing you know, they
are outpacing you! We are all equals on this ‘playing field’. We are all on
some sort of mission, whether it’s to complete your first race, to lead a
healthy lifestyle, to prove to someone that you ‘can’, to raise awareness for
something or another, or to try to be among the few that make racing a living.
Only you know if you will make it or not. Only you know if you put out your
full potential. You will amaze or disappoint only you. Only you know if you
have put in the effort. And only you know if you will complete your
mission. It’s a unique feeling to be
surrounded by so many strangers yet feel so close to them at some point during
the race. You don’t know the person you just passed, yet you encourage them to
continue strong. It is a world of comradery yet still uniquely individualistic.
10K- 1:10
5K-33:48
13.1-2:43