The summer run series is a Long Island running event where you run at a new state park for eight Mondays in a row over the summer. It is a challenge in that you run 1 mile on the beach, 5k’s, 5 miles and 10k races each week. Dadjogger started running this as a 12 and under event but we started running it together about 10 years ago.
Pros of the SRS
- You get to compete in a race every Monday!
- You get snacks, drinks, beer and ice cream all included in the registration fee.
- The fee for 8 races is only $90 which is cheap for running!
- You find comradery amongst the runners, especially if you have been doing it as long as Dadjogger.
- It is competitive in that you want to do your best, but you mostly do it for fun.
- You get an amazing runner high at the end of the day to finish it off well and get a great night’s sleep.
- They give out awards at each race for the top 3 runners in your age group, which is fun!
- The last race at Jones Beach is always when they raffle off trips. We have never won yet, but one year it’ll happen!
Cons of the SRS
- I hate running that late in the day because I am tired and used to working out first thing in the morning.
- Every Monday at 5pm when I am tired and hungry, I question why did I sign up for this?
- Babysitting – since Dadjogger and I both run, we feel guilty having to ask someone to watch our children on Monday nights although we are so lucky to have many people who consistently help us with this!
- The weather can be very hot and buggy due to the wooden areas you are in at the state parks.
Race recap #1
This first race this past Monday was a 5 mile race at Heckscher State Park. This was the first race that I have ever gone to alone. My oldest son and Dadjogger had their last Rockies baseball game this particular night and my middle and youngest son stayed at the game with my mother in law. This was the easiest way to have this happen so that they could go to bed at a reasonable time. Usually, we do not mind them staying up late for these races, but this particular race was still during school days. Further into the summer it will be easier to have them stay up late!
Solo race
Driving into the race solo was incredibly weird but also lovely, it is always nice to have time to yourself. I began the warmups by blasting the Hamilton soundtrack early because this race is notorious for not having the best service for music, so I started early to pump myself up in case I lost service.
Negative talk
While getting ready for the race, I was feeling tired. By 6pm I have reached the point where I need dinner and some down time in my day, which infrequently happens but it’s nice to think about. I was questioning my choices as to why I was going to this race and was prepping my brain to run slow – take this race at 9:30 minute miles. All of my complaints come into my brain. I’m tired, my foot hurts today, it’s going to be hot, etc. This is the negative talk that I put into my brain that stops me from achieving my full potential. Suddenly, Dadjogger came home from work and changed quickly and was taking the boys to the baseball game. As I was saying my goodbyes to them, they were all wishing me luck and Will said “Here we go, Kel – 8:45 pace!” I laughed right in his face. My response “not tonight” and then proceeded with all of my complaints.
Good start
As I lined up for the race at 6:50 for a 7pm start, I lined up in the 8 minute mile corral thinking this is wishful thinking but let’s see how this race goes. I was feeling more awake and ready to go at this point, thanks to Hamilton. The gun went off and BOOM – here I go! I always start off too fast because the adrenaline of all of the other runners is flooding through me! The first quarter mile, I looked down and was doing an 8:15 pace although it felt like a 10 minute pace. How was I comfortable running at this pace? But you know what, let’s go with it. First mile – 8:26 pace but I was feeling good! Guess who’s voice came into my brain next – Dadjogger saying 8:45 pace! I try to calm myself at this point knowing that I have 4 more miles but I am already one mile down.
Positive voice
This is where the talk turns positive. Mile 2 was successful at 8:37 pace keeping the movement going! Mile 3 switched to 8:48 as the nerves kicked in that maybe I was going too fast and was going to regret it knowing that I had 2 miles left. However, this was the point where I had to pump myself up in my brain. 2 miles left – move those feet faster! Mile 4 is where things went downhill again at a 9:08 pace. I was doubting myself and feeling tired. However, when I hit mile 4, I internally yelled at myself in my brain – You have one mile left and you are at the point where you can still get a 8:45 pace because of my faster first 2 miles. Kick it in Kel – let’s go! Mile 5 – 8:39 and thank you to the younger female runner next to me who was trying to race me the last ⅓ of a mile, she helped me to push it!
Success
I finished my 5 miles in 43:48 at an 8:42 pace, which was faster than Dadjogger quoted me! I was really proud of myself because although I didn’t have negative splits, all of my splits were less than what I told myself I could do. This is the mental part of running that is so tough, I have to get out of my own head and just run because I can run faster than I tell myself I can. Writing these posts will keep me accountable each week as well knowing that I can push myself more than I say I can! The first summer run was an absolute success and I walked out of that park alone with my head held high knowing that I left it all out there and that I conquered the goal I set out to.
Improvements
It also made it nice to find out that my 5 miles at Heckscher last year was run in 45:33. So I took a solid minute and 45 seconds off my time from last year which led to me feeling impressed with myself. We are capable of so much! Keep that voice in your head positive and push away the doubt! I can’t wait to continue the summer run the rest of the summer. Next week is a big race – a 10k at Sunken Meadow with a hilly course to boot!