Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sub 40 Minute 10k! Lincolnwood Turkey Trot - Race Recap

The Lincolnwood Turkey Trot is slowly becoming an annual tradition for me. It's an all-street race which takes place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The course runs through the lovely town of Lincolnwood, which is on the outskirts of the Chicago city limits on Lincoln Avenue. The start line is basically in front of L. Woods Pine Lodge restaurant.


At the Start Line of the Lincolnwood Turkey trot

I have run this race with my dad over the last 5 years. Typically he runs the 5k and I run the 10k (except 2 years ago when I ran the 5k). The age group trophies are the big draw of this race as they are turkey trophies, and I have been lucky enough to win a couple. Would I be lucky enough this year?

My Lincolnwood Turkey Trot "Turkey Trophies"

Pre-race:
It was about 40 degrees, sunny and a bit windy this morning. I got in line for the porta potties with 10 minutes before race start. Big mistake. The porta-potty line was barely moving and I still needed to do my warm-up run. So, I decided to hold it and I jumped out of line and started my warm-up run across a baseball field. A minute or two later I noticed that I was missing a glove. I must have dropped it early in my warm-up run. So, I frantically zig-zagged backtracking on my run, looking for my glove. Miraculously, I found it! It would have been a chilly race without it.

I ducked under the corral ropes about 50 yards from the start line and after a few seconds we were off!  

Mile 1: The 5k and 10k started at the same time, so I spent the first 1/2 mile weaving in and around the casual 5k runners who had pressed their way to the front of the line. Even though I was passing people, I kept telling myself to hold back, just hold back as we tore down Lincoln Ave. Pace 6:24/mile.

Mile 2: We started to make our way back into the houses of Lincolnwood. Suddenly, a guy in front of me strips down to his pink underwear (his bib was on his behind)! I heard a kid spectator shout, "hey there goes daddy." Still held back: 6:23/mile.

Mile 3: Running into the wind, made the next few miles difficult. But I was passing people who I thought were fading, but it turns out I was starting to speed up: 6:18/mile.

Mile 4: We were finally rid of the 5k runners (for the time being) so I could better pace myself with the 10k runners. 6:13/mile.

Mile 5: I tuck behind a tri-athlete looking guy with tatoos on his arms. He just wouldn't let me pass him, When I would surge, he would fight me off. We headed into a tough wind and we both slowed down a bit. 6:20/mile.

Mile 6: At this point, I started pouring on the speed, and "Mr. Triathlete" did the same. We started to catch up to the 5k walkers and slow runners. Weaving around them as they seemed oblivious to the fact that there was a 10k race going on. I was slowly running out of energy, and my lungs were straining, but I was giving it my all. I made it my mission in life to hunt down "Mr. Triathlete". Fastest mile of the day. 6:02/mile.

Mile 6.2: We ran onto the final street and with 100 yards to the finish line with my lungs screaming for mercy, I turned on the after burners and finally ran past "Mr. Triathlete!" I almost barrel into people milling around just after the finish line. Luckily, no one was injured! I collapsed on someone's front lawn for a couple of minutes until I could breathe normally again. 5:49/mile.

Race Summary: 
  • Total time: 39:06. Average pace: 6:18/mile
  • Overall Place: 7th out of 554
  • Age Place: 3rd out of 74 (note, these are 10 year age groups).
  • Other note: This was my second fastest 10k ever! And only the second time I've broken 40 minutes in a 10k. The age group awards aren't given out on race day, so I assume I can pick it up this week at the park district building. I'm hoping they are still giving out cool turkey trophies for third place! I will try and post a picture if they do. 

Anyway, I am really happy with my run. I was full of endorphins all day. I almost teared up during the James Bond movie, which I went to afterwards! Last time anything like that happened to me was when I cried for no reason during the L.A. Marathon last year. 

Race Takeaway:
Running fast = lots of endorphins all day!

Next up:
Next race will be another 10k in December and I can't wait!


22 comments:

  1. WOW! Congrats on the AG placing, the sub 40, and your 2nd fastest 10K! That is awesome! And congrats on beating "Mr Triathlete." haha

    Impressive negative split too. I can only do that in half marathons. In 5Ks I can achieve a pretty awesome positive split. (I've never run a 10K- and never intend to- they scare me) I hope you get another awesome turkey trophy for your collection :)

    Whats the 10K you are doing?

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    1. Thanks. I need to keep in shape, Mr. Triathlete will likely be out for revenge next time! Yes, negative splits are always nice. I really like the 10k distance, it is just short enough so you can fly, but long enough that you can enjoy it! My next 10k is the Jingle Bell 5k/10k on Dec. 15th in Lincoln Park.

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  2. NO WAY! I did the same 10k yesterday! Did you dislike all the turns as I did? I've never ran a course in a small town, so it might explain why.

    Congrats on that sub 40, that is amazingly fast!

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    1. That's too bad that we didn't know that we were running the same race. Oh well. Anyway, yes there were a lot of turns, and you're right that the area that they hold the race in is small. It is kind of hemmed in by Lincoln Ave. and the Edens Expressway. Luckily, there was no car traffic to deal with at all. Considering we were running through residential neighborhoods, that's pretty good. Thanks!

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  3. Wow! That is really fast! Congrats on doing a sub 40 min 10k! :)

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    1. Thanks, I am very happy with how the race went!

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  4. YAY!! Congrats on a great race! This only proves my point that turkey trophies are excellent motivators, and should be distributed at ALL races!

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    1. Thanks. Yay for turkey trophies! I am all for year-round distribution. I am hopefully going to pick up my new shiny turkey trophy today after work.

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  5. Yay! Congrats on an awesome race! You kicked butt, on what sounded like a challenging course (with those 5Kers in your way)! I hope you do get a schweet trophy!

    How was Bond?

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    1. Thanks. Yes, challenging course and "schweet trophy". As far as the film: I would agree with other reviews I have read that it's the best Bond in awhile. It had a couple of typical action scenes (he seems to always be fighting some guy on a train, or driving through a farmers market in every film), but it had some surprises and also some humorous asides. I'd give it 3.5 stars! Did you/are you going to see it?

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    2. Ooo! So happy to hear that! I liked the first one, not so much the second, but do plan to go :)

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  6. Awesome!!! Way to beat Mr. Triathlete. I usually make it my goal not to let anyone pass me in the final stretch of the race. I'll take any motivation I can get for a better time! Also, you were 7th overall, but 3rd in your age group? Tough age group!!!!

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    1. Thanks. Yes, I also dislike it when I get passed near then finish. Not letting anyone pass me is a good way to keep focused and keep my speed up in the final stretch. Yes, 8 out of the top 14 runners overall were in my age group. Must have been a lot of suburban dads running! :-)

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  7. WOW. Just WOW. I am absolutely AMAZED at your sub-40 finish. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Love those trophies, too!!!

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    1. Thanks. Yes, the trophies are worth the effort!

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  8. Wow!!! Amazing job!! Love the guy that stripped down to his pink underwear! lol.

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    1. Thanks! Yeah, "underwear guy" was pretty funny. Those suburban dads can be crazy!

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  9. Everyone seems to have great words for this turkey trot. I love how many amazing options we have here in Chicagoland!

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    1. Yes, the race is very well organized, reasonably priced and close to the city. Agree about the amazing race options we have. This week may be the most race-packed week of the year in Chicagoland!

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