Family 5k ... Sans Family

 

A few years ago, my #4 was interested in running 5k races. While I know that the majority are fundraisers for good causes, they are a little pricey. Especially if we wanted to have the whole family participate. They I discovered a local race. More to give back to the community than to raise money. $10 got everyone in the family signed up. 

So in 2017, we ran our first Family 5k (2017) ... we'd actually had one back in 2013, but while everyone was there, not everyone was running (the two littles were very young and Hubs pushed them in a stroller, while #3 rode a scooter).  Last year in 2018, Hubs and #3 bailed, but we still had most of the Blackham Bunch.

This year? Everyone bailed on me.  I signed us all up, I picked up the packet pre-race. No one seemed excited about it. #4 fighting it the most. #1 said he was afraid he might die. #2 said he would if I really wanted him to. I gave up and figured I'd just do it myself. And I did. 

The previous two years, the course was multiple loops around the center of the park. This year, they changed that up and extended the course, around the entire park, through the middle, along the rodeo grounds and 2200 W past the rec center. I think I preferred the new course. Not repeating (and even possibly losing count, am I on lap 3 or 4?) ... not getting lapped, although that was part of the fun too. 

Although my family didn't make it, one of my Zumba friends did. I didn't see Carma at the start (I was running late and barely made it there for the start. It was a bigger crowd this year too, about 500 people) but caught up to her shortly into the course. We jogged and chatted the first couple miles. We'd both told each other that if either wanted to go on (or stop and walk) that we didn't have to stay together ... at about a mile left I felt like I had a little energy so I took off ahead, putting my music on.

I really struggle to "run" (jog) continually. I had stayed with Carma (she had her pace set, I might have walked earlier on without her pacing me), and only slowed a moment or two the last mile. Time was 35 minutes, beating my last year's time by a couple minutes.

You can see my HR go up as I sped up that last mile.

4853 steps for the 3+ miles. Longer jogging steps. 

This selfie was a little while after the race. After chatting with Carma and a couple other friends (one of #5's basketball families) and going home ... still quite the red face! Got my little medal, and Carma sent me a screen shot of the race results, and then they were posted online later. Still a bit confused on the official time vrs the "gun time" ... shouldn't they be different, especially as I did NOT start at the gun, but waited at the back of the pack (they had the high school cross country team and top finishers in that "front" position and asked the "slower" people to move to the back, which I was more than happy to do). MY time on my Fitbit showed 34 minutes, not the 35+ the official chip time said. 

I wonder if my family will do it with me next year ...

The green shirts this year weren't my favorite. Really liked the red in 2017, loved the navy in 2018. No finish goodie bag (loved the lip balm in last year's bag, still using it, as we had several with more of the family participating). This year, we got some nice reusable mesh produce bags. I'll have to remember to bring them to the supermarket to use instead of the plastic bags.  Still, as other years, very impressed with how they set everything up so well. I get so easily intimidated by crowds and chaos and cost ... I feel comfortable with this race.

Family 5k (2018)

We've done two FAMILY 5k runs (jog/walks) ... a number of us participated this year, but it wasn't the full family. Missing Hubs, who said he didn't want to have a heart attack, and #3, who wouldn't get out of bed. I wasn't going to make #5 participate, as he had a basketball game a little later in the day and I didn't want to impact his play negatively, but he thought he'd be okay (and he was). Last year we had #2's girlfriend, this year it was #1's gal who joined us.

The race we did last year and this year, is the Linda Butters Memorial Fun Run. While the purpose of many 5k races is to raise funds, this race is only about giving back to the community. Honoring this individual who gave so much. $10 registered the entire Blackham Bunch. Official clip timing for accurate results, nice swag bags and matching t-shirts.  

This event kicks off the 4th of July activities at our local park. The area was already cordoned off for the carnival set-up, so no worry about cars driving around the loop. Unfortunately, I hadn't fully prepped my music. I thought I had. I'd put my old ipod shuffle on the charger, but went I tried it out, it wasn't working. Neither were my wireless headphones (linked to my phone, as while my new Versa has the ability to hold music and stream it, I hadn't set that up  yet either). I tried plugging in some regular earbuds, but those just do not stay in my ears. So ... no music this go round. 

Last year, they had us run up the center, and then around the loop three times. As I mentioned in the blog post last year (Family 5k 2017) the fast finishing times made me suspect that it hadn't been measured correctly. This year, we were directed to the center, then the side, then FOUR times around the loop.  As I generally figure my average is 40min for the 3.1 miles, this seemed closer to correct (my time last year had been under 30 minutes).  Versa stats; 5648 steps. AvHR139. High 165.  In zone 36 of the 37 minutes. Estimated calorie burn 386.

Last year, #3 had been the first one to finish in our family. This year ... he was still in bed. #2 took the honors of the first Blackham to cross the finish line. Last year, with his girlfriend beside him, he had held back a bit. That may have been the case for #1 this year. #5 gleefully lapped me (#2 had as well) calling out "hi Mom" on his way to the finish line, while I still had another loop to go. #4 admitted that this run had been more challenging for him. He's a little out of practice.

Cute navy shirts made from nice performance fabric. I missed having the whole family in the race and the picture. Hopefully next year we'll get everyone! I'd love for this 5k to become an annual tradition. In the few days following, my calves were killing me. I was a little surprised, as I'd done some "5k" jogs on the treadmill in the previous weeks without much impact afterward. I wasn't the only one moaning though ... #2 also commented on his calves, while the two littles said it was their quads that were tight.  Looking forward to 2019!

Family 5k (2017)

Family Friday

There may be a FINISH line behind us in this photo ... but this was before it all started.

Many years ago, we did a family 5k. It was My First 5k ... and my only 5k. Even though it had been a good experience, and I wanted to do another one almost immediately, it didn't happen. After time passed, my anxieties increased, and I just wasn't sure I'd ever end up doing another. Hubs and a couple of the boys did one last year (My Little Man Ran) and I debated doing it. But I didn't. Earlier this year, a couple of the boys (#1 and #4) ran one (A Super 5k). #2 and his girlfriend had a summer bucket list, and a 5k was on there. Then I heard about the Linda Butters Fun run.

• It was close. By Gene Fullmer, our rec center, at the West Jordan Veterans Park.
• It was inexpensive. I try not to begrudge the costs of 5ks. I know they are often fundraisers for great causes ... but at 30+ a pop, it makes makes it a but pricey for seven entries. THIS, apparently was not a fundraiser (I'm sure it end up costing them money) but a memorial run. The entry fee was $10. Not per person ... that was the entire family, including #2's girlfriend!
• It had the swag. Chip timed, t-shirts ... that makes it a little more fun.
• Everyone was available.

 If even one family member had opted out, I probably would have too.  

Here is #1, #3 and #4 with their FlipBelts.

Ready to race!

The West Jordan Veteran's Memorial park has a big loop within it. It was closed to cars as the 4th of July carnival was being set up ... and it was where we'd be running. The finish line was also the start ... up through the center of the park, then three loops around. Because it was loops, I got lapped, but only by one son (#3), and I had just passed the end point as #5, #1 and #4 were crossing the finish line (so I could let out a little whoop). 

 This is the order they finished in.

The three top finishers were then excluded from the age group rankings ... overall 1st place was a 15-year old from the boy's high school. 2nd place was a fellow in our neighborhood (in his twenties) and 3rd place was in the age group above that I think. You can see that the Blackham Boys took the top spots (these were preliminary results, additional racers were still finishing up).

... and honestly? Those times are a little TOO good. I don't think this was a completely accurate and full 5k. I told the boys not to count this as their personal best. I forgot to snap a picture of the women's times, but I think I snuck in just under 30min ... and I can't run three miles in 30minutes (I was planning on coming in at about 40 minutes, I had my 5mph playlists on and pretty much stuck to that pace, but did stop to walk a time or two). As I rounded the last curve ... there were my boys! Hubs and all five, and they jogged the last little bit with me, cheering me on (because obviously, I was the last one from our family).

We all got our t-shirts...

...and everyone even posed for pictures!

Hooray for a Family 5k!

A SUPER 5k

Ever since my #4 ran a race last year (My Little Man Ran) he'd wanted to try it again. Hubs health slipped, and I certainly didn't feel up to it (anxiety issues dealing more with driving there, checking in, dealing with crowds affect me more than the actual "running" although that is a challenge for me too!) But big brother came home from his mission to Mexico, and he said he'd be willing to go give it a try. So I scanned the local 5k races and signed the boys up.

 

It was the end of April, and it was COLD. The boys almost wimped out due to the weather. But after paying the registration fees (I think it was $35 a person) I told them they better not wimp out. The theme was "Calling All Heroes" ... and they dressed up appropriately (minus capes).  They both had on Superhero socks too!

I watched (stalked) them with the Find my Friends app, and noticed they stayed together the entire time. #1 pushed #4 a little ... and they crossed the finish line together. There were 74 racers, and the Blackham boys took 4th and 5th.

Not sure WHY it says my #4 is 98 years of age (he's thirteen).  

Probably would have been first in his age division, if they'd had age divisions.

 ... another race under #4's belt. Speaking of belts, Hubs had purchased a Flipbelt ages ago, and had never worn it. We'd pulled it out when #1 son started running and he loves it. I guess I might need to invest in another one!

My Little Man Ran (First 5k)

For the past several months, my 12-year old has been a step-crazy kid! Often with weeks averaging daily steps of 30,000 or more. When it's too cold to play outside, he started jogging on the treadmill to up his step count. He mentioned casually to me "I set it at 6 (6mph), so that's one mile in 10 minutes, and three miles in 30 minutes." Ummm ... I don't think I could do that (admittedly, I'm a wimp when it comes to running)! I haven't hit the treadmill lately, but back when I did, I was more at the 12-minute mile range. 5mph. I'm not even sure how long I could keep that up at this point, three miles would be pushing it!

I mentioned the statement to Hubs, and he looked up a local 5k this past weekend.  We wondered if running in a race might appeal (this is my anxiety child, who has dropped out of team sports because they are too stressful and competitive.) #4 seemed willing to give it a try, and #3 (the 15-year old) said he would too (even with a cast on his arm/broken wrist). If #5 (10 years old) had wanted to run too, I would have done it myself, but the little guy wanted to save his energy for his basketball game later in the day. So off Daddy and the two boys went. Maga met them at the race!

Ready to Race!

Daddy's original plan had been to start closer to the back of the pack, so the boys could pass some people and get that rush. The boys however didn't like the "back" idea and wound their way to the front. They were off and Hubs couldn't quite catch up! We were both a little afraid the boys might push too hard, and then need to stop, but they ran the whole thing. #4 came in just under 24 minutes (2nd in his age group, 19th overall) with #3 right behind him. 

 

I think it was an excellent experience for both boys. They had been with us years ago when we did our Family 5k, but #4 was in a stroller then, and #3 had been on a scooter. This was the first time running a 5k for both of them. I don't think it will be their last though ... 

My Treadmill 5k

I am not a runner. But for a while now, I've been challenging myself to run (well, jog) a WHOLE mile. Not necessarily every single day, but at least add it into the rotation a few times a week. Even for just one mile, it take a bit of mental prep for me. I just don't really care for running. It's hard! And I have to wear shoes. I don't like shoes. Being on a treadmill, I simply set it to a steady 5mph pace, so it's a 12-minute mile. I can jog for twelve measly minutes, right?

I've been doing this for several months now. My jog is often my warm up before my weights workout. On rare occasions, I'd feel good, or a specific song would come on that would encourage me to keep going ... and I would. There were days when I'd do a mile and a half, or even two miles. Back in February I did 2.5 miles, my longest run to date. In that post I mentioned at SOME point, I planned on doing a treadmill 5k.

I have done ONE 5k in my life (My First 5k). I THINK I jogged the whole thing, trying to keep up with my kid on a scooter, but I may have stopped to check on another child (the oldest had pushed a little too fast and I found him sitting along the side of the road as I caught up).  I've been wanting to try an actual race again, but have never gotten around to it.

But I finally did a 5k on the treadmill!

I prepped myself mentally. I am going to do this. I put on the shoes I hate the least (I've been trying to break in some new ones that I'm not sure about yet, I used my older ones). I redid my playlist (I shared five of my favorite 5mph songs here, those five and others helped me get through. I'll be sharing more of my motivational music in an upcoming Friday Five).  I was ready.

I did it. It wasn't even that hard. 

Being one the treadmill, and being a bit OCD ... I didn't feel like I could stop at 3.1, so I continued to finish the lap at 3.25, 40 minutes. You can see my treadmill overestimates on the calorie count. My Fitbit came in closer to expected. I probably should have taken the time to slip on my HRM, but it does seem pretty consistent with the Fitbit for straight jogging.

I'm sure I'll try my treadmill 5k again. I'm not sure when ... should I try to commit to once a month? Hmmmm. I'd really like to join an actual 5k again too, just something local and small. I'll be keeping my eyes open for some possibilities. I don't know that I'll be actively trying to improve on my time, as being on the treadmill, I just stick with a set, steady speed with my matching music. But if I give an actual race a try, it will be interesting to see how I do when I don't have the treadmill determining my pace.

My First 5k

Another "Throwback Thursday" post ... this picture was taken four years ago in 2009. It was a family 5k, organized by my cousin raising funds for MLD (you can read her website here.) It was a great event ... not just my little family, but my dad, brothers, their kids, all my cousins, aunts and uncles ... when I say it was a family 5k, it was a LOT of family. There was a lot of community support too.

I had never done a 5k before. I didn't do any real training. I had been walking a ton, jogging some. Hubby and the two older boys took off from the start. Yes, even pushing the two little ones in the stroller, hubby left me in the dust. #3 was on his scooter, and he was the perfect pacer for me (in fact, I probably would have stopped to walk a few times, but I didn't want to let him out of my sight).  Fairly close to the end, I came upon #1 son sitting by the side of the road. He had pushed too hard and run out of steam. He commandeered the scooter, and #3 finished jogging the race with me. #2 finished easily, at a very competitive pace for his young age (and he totally beat me!). This was a fairly casual race, no exact times, but I think I came in around 38 minutes, which is much faster than I had ever done three miles on my own. It's hard not to catch the fever and adrenaline with a bunch of people running together.

It was a really good experience. I totally wanted to do it again. I even looked up some local races and talked about it with hubby ... but it never happened. Saturdays are just busy with sports (the bigger boys play basketball, the little boys play soccer). I've got some anxiety issues with crowds and driving new places. I just didn't MAKE it happen.

So I am officially putting it on my "to do" list again ...