On the Run: MOTTEP LIFE Walk 10K 2015

Look at this amazing group of people!  I had the pleasure of spending Saturday morning with them on Belle Isle for the MOTTEP LIFE Walk 5K/10K.  It was a hot, humid morning but that didn't stop RUNdetroit Flight Club from coming out and giving it their all on the race course.  Flight Club members took OA male and female in the 5K, along with a few age group awards.  I took OA female in the 10K.  There were also several PR's earned.  And when one member was feeling the effects of the heat during the 10K, two others stayed with her.  Making sure she was safe and finishing together was more important than times and paces.  That's teamwork at its finest.  

I ran MOTTEP last year for the first time.  I loved that it was small and everyone (volunteers, supporters, runners) was so friendly and supportive.  That's what brought me back again this year.  It's also a charity race, with proceeds going towards Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program, and I like to participate in races that benefit local organizations.  

Last year the race was staged at Belle Isle Casino.  Due to a Red Bull racing event this weekend, it was moved to Flynn Pavilion and the course was modified slightly.  I got there early for parking and packet pickup.  The shirts are unisex cotton so they run large.  This year I ordered a youth medium and it seems to fit just right!  

I did my mile warm-up, followed by some activation drills (toe touches, air squats, walking lunges).  I got in a few strides.  Richard Bernstein, who has completed 17 marathons and is legally blind, gave a short speech.  We waited for traffic on the course to clear.  Finally the race started.  I was able to run the first mile and a half with my friend Roger, who was running the 5K.  My goal was to run a 6:45 pace.  I hit 6:45 exactly for my first split.  (Thank you, Roger!)  In that second mile, however, he started to speed up.  I kept up the pace until he turned off but then I slowed down a little once I was on my own.  Overall mile 2 was still ok (6:47).

After that I started to gradually slow down.  It was SO hot and I was nearing the stretch of island that is more isolated.  Plus, although it was a race, it didn't feel like one.  The leader was so far ahead that I hadn't seen him since the first turn.  I knew nobody was chasing me.  Motivation was dwindling.  I hit a windy pocket.  Mile 3 was a little slower (6:50).  I was surprised to see my friend Leah who was out running with Be Bold Crew. She cheered me on, which was a nice boost!

Around the 4-mile marker there was a little loop with a few course marshals.  Humans! They waved and clapped and gave me directions.  I would have even just taken the directions at that point.  I was so happy to see people!  Mile 5 (6:57) was definitely my hardest.  I was trying to tell my legs to run faster but they just wouldn't turn over.  The heat was getting to me.  I kept thinking about how I had more miles to run after the race so maybe I shouldn't push so hard.  But it was a race so I had to push!  It's such a mental game.

When I hit the 5-mile marker, I forced myself to pick up the pace.  I could tell the course was going to be short so I figured I only had one more mile.  I felt a sense of urgency to finish.  My legs were turning over and I was driving my arms.  I was going to finish strong!  I turned the corner for the final stretch and could see the finish line.  This was it!  I was pushing and then realized, "Damn, that's a long way!"  I'd like to say I kept running hard but it was a LONG stretch.  I ran past a couple of guys and they just looked at me.  5K finishers were walking past without a word.  I think a car rolled past me.  I thought I'd never get to the finish line.  Thankfully Coach Stefanie was there with her cowbell.  Once I heard her and saw the rest of the team I picked it up and finally crossed the finish line.  

The 5K runners excitedly shared their race stories with me and we cheered on the rest of the 10K runners.  Then we received our awards (a different medal).  The woman giving out awards was hilarious!  There was also a DJ who was playing theme music for each award recipient.  It was the best awards ceremony ever.  I think they need to hire themselves out for more events.  I'd love them at my next birthday party.

Time 

40:47

Pace 

6:35/mile (official results)
6:50/mile (Garmin results based on actual distance of 5.97 miles)

  

Fuel 

CLIF Mojo Bar, banana 

Tunes 

Nobody Really Cares if You Don't Go to the Party / Courtney Barnett

Dead Brains / Jessica Hernandez
Rattlesnake / St. Vincent
Random Name Generator / Wilco

Strangers / Langhorne Slim & the Law

Swell Content / Speedy Ortiz

Shake it Off / Taylor Swift

Deceptacon / Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas

The Innocent / Mayer Hawthorne

The Feast & the Famine / Foo Fighters

Runaway Baby / Bruno Mars

50 Ways to Say Goodbye / Train

Man / Neko Case

After the awards ceremony I changed my shirt and shoes, had a CLIF Shot and some water.  My friend Dave and I headed out across the MacArthur Bridge, down Jefferson, and picked up the River Walk.  I had another 9 miles to finish my long run.  We ran the first 3.5 or so together before Dave took a break.  I continued along the River Walk until I'd hit 4.5 miles and I turned around.  I was feeling really good.  Until I wasn't.  It was incredibly hot and there's no shade anywhere.  It was nice to catch a breeze along the water but it was hardly helping at that point. The last 2 miles were brutal, with the last .25 being so hard I actually stopped, unsure I could finish.  

When I finally got back to my car I saw Dave there.  It's always so nice to see those familiar Flight Club wings!  I was glad to know he made it back safely, too!   

All in all it was a great morning of racing and running.  I was happy to be with my RUNdetroit family.  

Happy legs, happy heart.

MOTTEP LIFE Walk Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered the MOTTEP LIFE Walk giveaway!   I used random-ize.com to choose the lucky winner.  Congratulations goes to . . .

Good luck at the race, Roger!  I look forward to seeing you there!

MOTTEP LIFE Walk Giveaway

For those of you who might be feeling the post-holiday/back-to-work blues, how about a little giveaway on this Monday afternoon?  Today I have another race entry, again courtesy of my amazing friends at RUNdetroit.  

The MOTTEP LIFE Walk 5K/10K takes place on Belle Isle on Saturday July 25th.  The event is a benefit for organ and tissue donation education.  I ran the 10K last year for the first time and loved the experience.  It was a small race, the volunteers were great, and the post-race atmosphere was a lot of fun.  I expect it to be just as awesome this year!  The location was changed from the Casino to Flynn Pavillon.  Course maps can be found here.  

You can find more information about the race on their website.

For a chance to win, leave a comment below telling me why you want to run this race.

Winner will be chosen Friday morning.  Please check the blog on Friday to see if you won.  Good luck!

On the Run: MOTTEP LIFE Walk 10K 2014

This past Saturday I raced for the first time in over 2 months.  Since I've been dealing with my hamstring injury and running (ahem) "less," I knew that racing would certainly not be a good idea.  After taking my recent 2-week break, however, I came back feeling good and had minimal pain during and after running.  I had a week of running before the race to test things out and felt confident I wasn't making TOO stupid of a decision.  (No comments allowed, SG!)  I also wasn't looking to win or set a new PR for myself.  I would be competitive but not like my last 10K.  I had to be realistic.

And to be honest, the real reason I signed up for this race was to be with my RUNdetroit friends.  This was a target race for the store.  Saturday running group was cancelled for the day.  It was the graduation race for the 3.101 group who had trained hard all spring/summer to move from walking to jogging to finishing their first 5K race.  I wanted to be there to celebrate their accomplishment, along with all the others who were participating in racing either the 5K or 10K.  Look at our huge turnout!

Photo credit Brian Wolski

The race was LIFE Walk, a fundraiser for MOTTEP (Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program).  People were there to honor loved ones, raise awareness, and support the cause.  It was small, well-organized, and everyone was cheerful and friendly.  I liked the laid-back vibe. It took place at the Belle Isle Casino, which is a beautiful and convenient place for a race.  There's ample parking, a good staging area for the start/finish and post-race snacks, and space for packet pick-up.  You also have nice views of the river and the city.  Since Belle Isle became a State Park it's been looking more kept up, too, which is awesome.  

We couldn't have asked for better weather - blue skies, sunshine, 60 degrees, and a slight breeze.  Even though I would know a ton of people, Brian went with me.  He hadn't been to a race with me since Boston and wanted to take his camera along.  We got there in plenty of time for me to get my bib, catch up with everyone at the RUNdetroit tent, take the group picture, and warm up. 

Photo credit Brian Wolski

When the race started, I went out a bit too fast, trying to keep up with the fast RUNdetroit guys (well, at least keep them in my sights!).  I quickly checked myself and settled into something more reasonable for someone who is still injured.  There were only 2 women ahead of me and I hoped they would make the 5K turn, allowing me to back off a bit.  One of them did but the other kept cruising onward for the 10K. No worries.  We were less than 2 miles in so I knew I'd catch her.  And I did.  For about half a mile we were neck and neck, as she fought to maintain the lead.  She was fighting a lot harder than I was and eventually dropped back.  

After about 3 miles I caught up to the next runner and easily passed him.  I was maintaining a pretty steady pace but felt like I was slipping around mile 4.  I was starting to feel hungry and little nauseous.  As I neared the 5 mile mark, however, I chicked another dude.  That gave me more confidence to push it a bit.  I also saw Justin (owner of RUNdetroit) who shouted some words of encouragement (he had long since finished the 5K).  This is when I merged with the 5K so I had some company, plus more spectators were along the course.  There was still a guy close ahead of me but I just couldn't catch him.  Plus as much as I wanted to push it and pass him I didn't want to risk hurting myself over it!

As we rounded the last curve into the final stretch, I was amazed to hear and see the Cass Tech marching band lining both sides of the path to the finish line.  Then I saw my fellow RUNdetroiter's clapping and cheering me on as I finished!  What a way to finish a race!  

Photo credit Brian Wolski

I ended up finishing 1st female and 3rd overall.  My 1st racing win!  Justin won the 5K in 17:00 and Arni, a fellow RUNdetroiter, won the 10K in 40:26.  I also got to cheer in the other 10K runners and some of the 3.101 group (most of them were already done).  Everyone did an amazing job and I was so happy to be a part of it!

Afterwards everyone from RUNdetroit hung out on the steps of the Casino, enjoying some post-race snacks, listening to the band, and catching up with each other.  It was great to be with so many of my regular Saturday group run friends in a race setting.  We're hoping to find another race to meet up at soon!

Photo credit Brian Wolski

Time
41:41

Pace 

6:43/mile

  

Fuel 

banana 

Tunes 

Dangerous / Big Data

Fever / The Black Keys  
Best Friend / Foster the People
Happy / Pharrell Williams

Move Like You Stole It / ZZ Ward

Gotta Get Away / The Black Keys

The Innocent / Mayer Hawthorne

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) / Fergie ft. Q-Tip & Goonrock

The Walker / Fitz & the Tantrums

Rattlesnake / St. Vincent

After the Disco / Broken Bells

Photo credit Brian Wolski

This was the first race that I got to wear my RUNdetroit Women's Racing Team jersey.  I felt so professional!