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Race Result
| Racer: |
Jennifer Burg |
| Race: |
Bull Run's Festival of Lights 5k |
| Date: |
Monday, December 31, 2007 |
| Location: |
Centerville, VA |
| Race Type: |
Run - 5 km |
| Age Group: |
Female 35 - 39 |
| Time: |
0:22:05 |
| Overall Place: |
40 |
| Age Group Place: |
3 |
| Comment: |
Last race of the year |
Race Report:
So....about 1pm on New Year's Eve I decided I just couldn't let the year go out without one more race! For those of you that know me, that should be of no surprise. I had plans to go out with my "guy" bestfriends in the same typical trio style we run. "That's how we roll"...lol Anyway, the race was a 3pm start and I figured I should have no problem running and making it home to shower and dress for our 8pm reservations. Again, for those of you that know me ... nothing ever ever goes as planned!
I arrived at the park and was so excited once I saw the course….a slight grade but for all intensive purposes, flat. I was motivated by the course but even more inspired by the cause. The majority of money raised was for the wounded warrior project. As an active duty SMSgt in the Air Force, I take great pride in my service to the United States and the sacrifices my fellow airmen have made. Needless to say, I was ready to run. The air was crisp and cold but the sun was shining. I began my warm-up run and must have shocked my lungs with the cold air. Once my lungs constricted, I just couldn’t seem to catch my breath. I suppose it is similar to the symptoms of asthma sufferers. I was hopeful I would acclimate and return to my normal breathing style. I continued my warm-up and seemed to settle in at a 6:30 but I still was unable to get adequate O2.
At race start, I saw several local elite runners and was excited to see the time posted by Tebya Naser. I love to see her run. The race began and off we went. I knew from my first step something was off. I just could not breathe to save my life. I was worried but hopeful I would cross some sort of threshold and get that one deep breath and settle into a steady state of oxygen flow. Have you ever felt that way? It is a terrible feeling. Well, that one deep breath never came. At the turn-around, I was at a 7:00 pace and I had to accept the situation and make the most of it. The shallow breathing was painful and unfulfilling. UGH! I came across the finish at a 22:05. Good enough for a 3rd place finish in the ten year age group 30-39.
I felt obligated to stay for the medal presentation. I knew I had to be on the road for our New Year’s Eve plans but I thought I would be able to pull it off. It is rare to get an actual medal in a 5k, pretty cool. More so, the race directors put so much effort into the staging, at least the winners/placers can stay out of respect. I finally headed back to my car at 5pm. Uh-oh!!!! My car wouldn’t start. This day was just spiraling out of control. Needless to say, our 8pm reservations turned into a 9:30 departure and a really cold dinner! Still good times, great friends, PRs and a race season over! Here is a link to our New Year’s Eve celebration:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/14028388@N05/2Gk42a
Happy New Year to you all and cheers to a happy and healthy 2008!
J
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