The Night Run Recap

I've been really awful about getting this review up, sorry about that. Two weeks ago I was able to run in The Night Run thanks to my local run group Run Eat Tweet AZ! 

Packet Pickup at iRun

Ran into fellow Run Eat Tweet AZ CRO Jaime! We're pretty excited for race day!

Initially I was pretty excited about this run. I've only just begun racing this year and was looking for something fun to run, and I run way better at night than I do in the morning, so this seemed to fit the bill. Throw in glow in the dark medals and a cool shirt, I'm game! The other great thing was that it was super local for me, just down the street 10 miles or so in a new location. I have anxiety driving to places I don't know very well, so this is a big deal to me.

Shirt design 2015 taken from The Night Run website

Medals 2015 taken from The Night Run Facebook page

But seriously, they glow in the dark!

There were two distance options an 8k and a 5k. I've raced a handful of 5k's so I decided to register for the 8k this time and found out all of the Run Eat Tweet AZ crew who would be there were running the same distance, so that was fun, they're much faster than me, but it's still fun to know we're doing the same thing.

That evening I drove down about an hour before the start of the race and found the FREE parking garage very easily, score one for the girl with anxiety. I just followed the other racers in the direction they were all headed and got myself to the expo easily, score two for the girl with anxiety. I'm telling you, the easier the better for me.

As I was walking, the crew was messaging one another where everyone was and I quickly found everyone within just a few minutes after arriving. Most of us snagged some group shot or another with each other as we waited for the race to start. I thought it was going to be much more crowded than it was, so it was easy to spot people.

Sporting Run Eat Tweet AZ Gear with fellow CRO Rosario!

The Night Run also put on a kids 50m dash that I got there just in time for, so I stepped over to watch for a few minutes. I was able to catch fellow Run Eat Tweet AZ CRO Amy Ruble's little guy all lined up to race, pumping himself up with his cute little game face on! Can a game face be considered cute? Well anyway, he was adorable and so were the rest of the kids! Each of them earned their own medal!

I really love our shirts! Before race time with Rosario and Emily

It was the "big kids" turn to race so we all headed over to the startline. The 5k and 8k all started together, which I thought seemed a little weird that it wasn't separated with different start times, but what do I know, it was only like, my third race or something. It was pretty crowded, but it seemed like it was going to be okay, so you know...just go with it right!

Before race time with the Owl!  From right to left Amy, Jeremy, Rosario, Jaime

I really love this shirt!

We would run the same course together, the 5k and 8k, but the 8k racers would have to do a second loop of the bridges on the course, so we doubled back a bit.

The start wasn't too bad, it was definitely crowded and took a min or two to get going. I got stuck behind a handful of groups of people going slower than I wanted, but with some patience and carefully timed bolts and weaves, I was able to get myself through most of them. By the time I got to the first bridge I was running with a steady flow of people going mostly my pace, so it was nice. I made my way across the bridge and down the sidewalk, up the one hill, across the second bridge and down the second hill.

Then the other thing that was causing me some anxiety, the split where the 5k and 8k sorta separated. I was worried I'd follow the wrong group, but it was very clearly marked and the volunteers were very vocal about which direction to go (I heard them through my blaring music) so I calmed down once I noticed that. I followed the path through lots of spectators and general park goers, most of whom stayed out of the way (I heard this was not the case for other racers) and made my way back to the first bridge for my second loop. Here's where the trouble started...

I was racing much faster than I had originally thought for myself, according to my Garmin, but I felt surprisingly strong and relatively comfortable, although sucking air (asthma), so I was riding it out. I made it over the bridge the second time and then HUGE snag! I had run right into the 5k and 8k walkers! Far be it from me to be upset at someone who has challenged themselves to come out and walk/run/race, it makes me so excited to see people who continually push themselves like that, but they were spread from one side of the sidewalk, to the other, with no gaps, no spaces, no way to get around them unless to shout and hope they hear me in time, or to run off the sidewalk into the dirt/gravel/rocks and pray I didn't twist and ankle.

It wasn't just one group, it was one after another after another...you get the idea. I opted for running into the rocks. I don't think I ever shout loud enough, and I was worried about making people upset, and let's face it, I was out of breath and shouting was sort of out of the question. There was a group of about 5-6 women running about as fast as me and we all kind of divided and conquered each group as they came. I stuck close behind one of them and paced behind her the rest of the race. When she dodged I dodged, when she went off the sidewalk, I went off the sidewalk, I put my trust in her feet, and she really came through for me. I'm super grateful. I made sure to thank her after the race! I made my way up the hill a second time and then ran into park goers who actually seemed to not understand what was happening and got in the way walking to the park, I dodged out of the way and almost into a sizeable rock, but maneuvered decently and got back on track.

The end of the race was a bit of a blur. I was desperately out of breath and fighting my brain which was telling me to slow down/walk and catch my breath, but I knew I was almost done, and my sights were on the lady in front of me and staying right by her. I had hoped to catch her in the end, but she really kicked it in gear, she creamed me across the finish line! What I didn't notice was the two guys hot on my tail, I kinda hope I actually beat them across hahaha! I ruined their finish line picture with my race face, so if not, that's their payback..JK, not really (except for my face, that was ridiculous, I gotta work on that).

I was a bit delirious crossing the finish line I wasn't really focusing on much. I was struggling to breathe but managed to reach out and take a water bottle from a volunteer who seemed like she was holding them hostage (maybe she didn't see me) and a kid who was wagging something in a baggie at me, I snagged whatever that was too and made my way to the Muscle Milk tent. I chugged down some water and the Muscle Milk and then went to grab some food, I was finally breathing better and realized how hungry I was. Next I made my way to the results TV's to check my official time and place.

 

I started getting messages from the CROs who raced, again, so I knew they were all done. Next thing I hear, they're out of medals! I suddenly realized I didn't have one either. I quickly scanned the stuff in my hands and realized the baggie the kid was shaking at me was the medal, I had gotten lucky and gotten one. I went down to meet up with Jeremy who hadn't gotten his and was standing around with him when the race director told him to be sure to email her and they would be mailing them to the people who hadn't received one. What a bummer for those who didn't get one on race day though!

Overall I enjoyed myself. The race was fun, in a very accessible place for me and glow gear is always fun. I'm not entirely sure I'd run this again. Maybe one more year to see the improvements made since this was the first year in this location. But I would struggle trying to decide for sure.

I would love to see the course separated differently for each distance. I'm not sure if this is a possibility, that would involve needing more space, maybe separate start times for the 5k amd 8k would help? I'm not even sure. The finish line was awfully dark, maybe some lights at the finish line? Volunteers to hand out opened medals, not just in the baggies. Is there a way to rope off where park goers/spectators are allowed to walk? This way they're not walking in between runners. I was lucky and never needed to use the Porta Johns, but I heard over and over how there just weren't enough for the number of people who were there.

I believe this could be a great race, I've heard that in the past it was lots of fun in its old location, so I'm sure it could be great in the new location. It certainly was a beautiful spot to do it. With all new things comes a learning curve, hopefully the lessons have been learned and some corrections can be made.

My own race, overall, wasn't too bad. For some reason the chronos chip time (9:18/avg mi) and my Garmin (9:08/avg mi) were significantly off from one another. That has never happened to me before, the time completed was merely seconds off, but my overall pace has a difference of 10 sec per mile overall, which is quite large. Based on the way I felt and what my training runs have felt like, I'm choosing to use my Garmin posted times, they seem to fit better how I performed out there. Kinda weird how that worked out, but that is not something that would shy me away from the race.

Why Would I Ever Run Sick?

I ran a 5k yesterday morning with a virtual racing team that was started here in Arizona, called Arizona Virtual Running, so there's a pretty good amount of locals who run the race. It seems insignificant, but it was a very important race for me. It meant enough for me to run it with a sinus infection and upper respiratory illness, in the cold, and with the wind.

Last year it was my first race I ran for me. I struggled so badly. I had just started running again a few weeks before and was just praying for at least one of the three miles in the 9's. I fought like crazy to get at least one (9:46). The rest were in the 10's. I finished last year with a distance of 2.81 (there was a gigantic puddle at the halfway point, so the distance was shortened) and on track to have a 5k in 32:09.

This year I wanted to see how far I could push. I have already gotten a non racing 5k in 26:56, I wanted to know if I could do it again, and then I got sick. I didn't care how miserable I was, I was running this thing. I finished at a distance of 3.02 on track to complete the 5k in 27:55!!! One of my miles was in the 8's (8:47). The others might have been as well, but when we turned around at the halfway, we turned right into a headwind!! I was so frustrated! I pushed as hard as I could, but my lungs and chest just couldn't get back below a 9, though I was close, I was struggling physically to push myself to the end. At one point with the end in sight I stopped for just a moment trying to breathe better, but realized if I just get it done, I'll be done. Mentally, I was as strong as ever. I pushed everything left in the tank out to finish this thing strong.

Why was this so significant though? I spent this whole year fighting for myself. I pushed my limits mentally and physically. I dealt with pain, frustration, injury, and doubts. I tried new things and succeeded. I tried new things and failed. But I never once gave up on myself and what I wanted. I feel like this race marked my succession on a job well done (though I'm not actually finished).

Then, I "met" this cute little 3 year old a couple weeks ago. I am a member of the "I Run 4 Michael" community on Facebook (this link will take you to their website). The admins pair runners with buddys (children and adults) with disabilities and give us the opportunity to build relationships with each other and the families and dedicate our runs, workouts, whatever we choose, to our buddy. Well after waiting for 19 weeks I was paired with the most amazing little girl! Her desire to fight astounds me and the love of her family and friends to support one another is simply heartwarming and amazing. Let me introduce her to you using the words of her mother Paige:

Jaylee suffered an in utero stroke during my pregnancy that left her with severe brain damage. At 4 months old she had her first seizure and she was immediately diagnosed with epilepsy after an EEG.. (those were controlled with medications) but at 7 months old she had her first infantile spasm.. I don't know if you know much about those but they are pretty devastating and very hard to control. None of the treatments controlled Jaylee's spasms and before we knew it she was having hundreds of seizures a day (her neuro now thinks she was basically seizing all day every day).

Jaylee was being seen here in Indiana at the Children's hospital (Riley) in Indianapolis but they were continously unable to control her seizures. We watched Jaylee slowly drift away. Due to illnesses, medications, and the  number of seizures she was having.. she was losing any and all the progress she had worked so hard in her many therapies to reach. At 1 1/2 she lost all head control, her ability to swallow, her ability to bear any and all weight on her legs, and she was starting to lose her sweet personality ( I forgot to mention that Jaylee is the HAPPIEST, sweetest little thing in the entire world).

Desperate, we took her to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio for another opinion in July of 2013. The neurology team there presented Jaylee's case and in January of 2014 we got a call from her neuro that she was a candidate for a surgery there where they would remove the bad (right hemisphere) part of her brain as a last resort to control her seizures. We went ahead with the surgery. Jaylee had only a 50% chance to come out seizure free but we couldn't stand to watch her suffer the way she was for another day.

Today, Jaylee is 269 days seizure FREE! :) (as of Nov 23, 2014)

Jaylee has Cerebral Palsy, Schizencephaly, Encephalomalacia, quadraplegia, cortical blindness in both eyes, global developmental delays, and she underwent a hemispherectomy (that I mentioned about) and the entire right hemisphere of her brain was completely disconnected. She has a feeding tube and her way of getting around is in a very blinged-out pink wheelchair!

Her medical diagnoses list is long but she is the happiest little girl. She LOVES to swim and she loves music and being around family and people.  She smiles and laughs constantly :) She goes to school 5 days a week and she loves it! Words can't really describe how amazing she is or how much she means to me. I don't think I could ever love anyone like I love her!

Runner Buddy Brag Alert:  I get to run for this amazing girl, every day. She also spent this whole year fighting for herself. I believe wholeheartedly that she wanted to be here on this earth. She wanted to be with her loving family as long as she could, and now I have the great honor to have her in my life. This weighed on my mind heavily as I struggled to get through this race. This race was not only for me, but also for Jaylee. Though our struggles are different, and there's a 30 year difference in age, she inspires me and already helps me want to be even better and work even harder and love my family more.

So while running sick was not entirely the smartest decision I've ever made and bucks against what I've learned about resting and recovering and listening to my body, if there ever was a day to throw caution to the wind, yesterday was that day.

Thank you to everyone who's ever supported me, loved me, strengthened me, and given me constructive advice. I'm not done fighting and have so much left to give. Sweet Jaylee fights everyday as well and I will do whatever I can to support this sweet little girl who inspires me so much. Thank you Jaylee for being in my heart, on my mind and in my waterbottle pouch (in lego form of course) as we ran this race together and crossed that finish line together. Both of my medals (last year's and todays) will be shipped to you after Thanksgiving as a reminder to always fight as best we can.
(The picture at the end is Laura, my new friend. She's an I Run 4 runner also and lives here in Mesa. She runs for Annelise who lives in Australia!)