Happy Wednesday! Last week I was in Chicago for a conference. I got home Friday evening, unpacked, and then got ready for my double race weekend. I definitely do not recommend doing two races after working long hours and not a lot of sleep, but live and learn right?
This weekend I ran the Fairfield 5K on Saturday and Fairfield Half Marathon on Sunday to complete the Lucas Challenge. This was not a new race to me as I did the 5K last year and the half marathon in 2014 and 2015. I was registered for the Half last year but took a DNS due to my runner’s knee. Luckily I was able to transfer that race registration to this year (the race organization is pretty awesome). You really never know what you’re going to get on race day, and these two races were no exception.
Fairfield 5K
I woke up to a pretty bad rainstorm. The race organization had posted on their Facebook page that the event would be on, rain or shine. I decided that as long as it was just rain, and not thunder and lightning, that I would run the race. I arrived to the race around 7:15 am (the race start was 8:00 am). Luckily the race offered same day packet pickup and it was easy-peasy and only took about 2 minutes. I waited in the car until 10 minutes before the start time. I was really hoping the rain would stop, but it didn’t, it actually got worse. Oh well, let’s do this!
The race started 5 minutes late due to cars on the race course. Honestly it wasn’t a huge deal. Everyone was already drenched so what’s another few minutes?! We finally started and I was able to get into a great groove automatically (that never happens). The race had approximately 1,000 runners but the course never felt crowded and I didn’t have to do too much weaving around runners. The course was flat (hooray) so I just kept a steady pace the whole time. I definitely was not “racing” this race as I knew I had the half marathon the next day.
Smile when you see that finish line! 🙂
What’s great about this race is that you start and end at Jennings Beach. Any other day it would have been a great time to finish the race, enjoy the post-race food and the beach. Unfortunately because it was still raining and I was soaked, I left right after I crossed the finish line. Of course the sun was out in FULL FORCE by the time I got back home. WTF?!?
Fairfield Half Marathon
Even though it rained the entire time for the 5K, it was still fun! The half marathon..not so much, lol. This race also started at 8 am. It wasn’t humid, but it was very sunny and pretty warm. I also had a headache (which ended up lasting the entire race). I thought to myself “this isn’t gonna be good”. The race started on time and we were off!
Miles 1-3 – I found a good pace after the first mile, but we hit the first hill right before mile 3. I told myself to run at least half of the hills and then walk the rest of the way.
Miles 4-6 – Overall, pretty flat, but some smaller hills to conquer. This was when I first started to feel dizzy so I slowed down my pace.
Miles 7-8 – Flat with great scenery, but not a lot of shade from the sun. I was very thankful for all of the cooling stations (sprinklers) on the course. At this point I was running under all of them because I was still dealing with a headache and some dizziness.
Miles 9-13.1 – This is where the wheels fell off, completely! There were two very steep hills that seemed to take forever because I walked the whole time. I also had a sharp pain in my left butt cheek for about 2 miles. It was hard to run so I ended up having to walk most of those miles. Honestly this whole section is a blur between the hills, heat, headache and butt pain, but I do know that I finished the race, lol.
Deep in the pain cave, but near the finish
Although I was just treating this race as a training run, I was still disappointed to be so off from my normal long run pace. I know that the work travel messed with my normal routine, especially when it came to my diet and hydration. I’m sure those were factors in my performance, but I’m just chalking it up to a bad race day and moving forward.
If you’re looking for a half marathon to do in Connecticut, I would highly recommend this race. It’s just SO well organized from start to finish and the post race spread is great – water, bagels, pizza, watermelon, breakfast bars, animal crackers, UCAN recovery drinks, etc. They really go all out. Also you can enjoy the beach until Noon. Here’s a look at the race swag.
Race shirt, Lucas Challenge shirt, Fairfield Half medal, Lucas Challenge medal and split of sparkling wine
A closer look at both medals
A HUGE thank you to all the residents that come out to cheer us on and to all the police, EMT, fire department and volunteers that helped to keep the roads safe for us during the race. It is much appreciated!
I’m linking up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Jen from Pretty Little Grub and Nicole from FitFul Focus for Wild Workout Wednesday.
I’m also linking up with Rachel from Running on Happy, Susie from Suzlyfe, Lora from Crazy Running Girl, and Debbie from Coach Debbie Runs for Coaches’ Corner!
Do you like “challenge” races? Have you ever done two races in one weekend?
I could not have imagined running 2 races after traveling last week! Im sure all of it affected your race. I did a half a few years ago after one of the most stressful weeks ever and it was so tough. Congrats on both the races! Im sure even on the best day back to back races are challenging.
Thanks Lisa! I’ve been getting back to normal this week which has been great!
Congrats on your races, and no worries that you had a bit of a falter on the half–we all have those days!
Thanks Susie! It just wasn’t my day on Sunday, lol
I was going to ask you if you thought you were dehydrated. How do you think running the 5k the day before impacted you? The only time I have done that is during a Ragnar race. You have been kicking butt lately so I hope you are proud of your achievement even though you did not hit your pace goal.
Thanks so much Deborah! I didn’t drink nearly enough water in the days leading up to the races, so I’m sure dehydration led to my headache. I treated the 5K as more of a shakeout run so I don’t think it affected my performance in the half too much.
I would have been so anxious with those 2 races to do after being out of town! You rock! Finishing is winning for sure.
I love “finishing is winning”! I’m going to use that phrase from now on!
Yuck I’m sorry to hear the half wasn’t so awesome. But you’re such a tough runner and of course you powered through! And if it were raining on race day for me I might have bailed. ?
LOL I’ve done a few races in the rain so I think it doesn’t freak me out as much now.
You are just amazing! I loved reading about your racing weekend – made me tired though! Hope you have a good week…
Thanks Elle! I am all caught up on sleep so feeling much better now!
Congrats on both races. Doing a back to back surely is hard in itseld… and isn’t it weird how much our performance always relies on how we feel that particular day? You can train as much as you want… you can still have an off-day on race day. You can be so proud you even finished with a headache and all!
Exactly! Training is definitely important, but I feel like so many things have to click in order to perform well on race day!
I’ve been lucky enough never to run a race in the race, but definitely some cold temperatures–27 degrees with ice on the ground! It sounds like you were definitely dehydrated on Day 2. Not fun…but at least you got it done!
I think running in the cold is worse than running in the rain, especially if you can never get warm!
That’s a bummer the half was so tough! I bet it was a combination of all the things mentioned…travel, fatigue (from traveling), food and hydration (again, from traveling). You still crossed the finish line, so that’s commendable 😉 Most people wouldn’t attempt such a challenge upon returning from a trip like that!
Thanks Kimberly! I don’t think I’ll ever do something like that again after travel lol
I’m sorry the race wasn’t what you hoped, but hey! You completed the challenge. That’s pretty awesome! And you ran in the ran. And you ran after traveling. SOOOOO basically you nailed it.
Thanks Nicole! I’m calling it a win since I actually finished lol
I think I would reconsider doing even 1 race after a long work travel week! Good job!
LoL I tend to agree with you. I definitely won’t be doing that again.
I’ve never done back to back races on the same weekend – that would be tough! Can I ask how your butt is doing now? 😉 Seriously, I hope you’re recovered!
LOL my butt feels much better now. I’m sure it was just some sorta fluke thing.
Great job running and the rain and through the half with a headache – that must have not been very pleasant!
It was very unpleasant – being dehydrated is no fun, lol.
I’ve never done a back to back race so I applaud you for completing one. Weather’s always a tricky component of racing. But you seemed to have handle it well. Sorry the half marathon didn’t turn out the way you expected it.
Thanks so much Elaine. So true about the weather – you just never know what you are gonna get!
Atta girl! I’m always in a little bit of pain after mile ten, but good work!
Me too, but something about seeing mile 10 knows that the end is in sight.
Great job on the 5K. I am so sorry you started to feel dizzy on the half, that can really ruin a race. You had a tough week with so much travel. I am sure this one will be better.
Thanks so much Abby. This week has been much better already!
Congrats on completing both races, I am sorry the half was rough for you. Love the medal!
Thanks so much Toni. It was hard but I was very happy to see that finish line!
Headaches are the worst. I don’t know how you managed to still run the half even with your head hurting. Kudos to you for not giving up and pushing through on a difficult day. It’ll make you stronger in the long run.
Thanks Kathryn. I didn’t want to have my first DNF so I just kept pushing on!
congrats to you for finishing! That is an awesome feat in itself and after all that travel! Cool medals and it sounds like a nice event overall- even with the rain!
Thanks so much Mary Beth!
Racing in the rain can be fun but it can also be miserable – I’m glad you had fun at the 5K! I’m sorry you had issues during the half – I usually end up with headaches after races, hopefully it wasn’t anything more serious than dehydration.
I haven’t made my way to CT for a race yet but I hope to, maybe next year!
Totally agree. I didn’t mind doing that race in the rain because it was a 5K. Now if it had been a 10K or a half, it wouldn’t have been that fun, LOL.
I was definitely just dehydrated during that race, nothing more serious thankfully!