Last weekend the family and I headed down to Gillette Stadium to take part in the Harvard Pilgrim Finish at the 50. I love when the whole family gets in on the act, and this one was extra special because it was my youngest’s first ever 5K! He rocked it! 🙂
He was so proud of his medal!
The 5K was scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and the 10K at 7 p.m., so we decided to head to the race around 3:30. Parking was a breeze and we found a great spot where we could watch the fireworks later. There were no lines for either the bibs or t-shirts, so we were done in no time leaving a bit of a wait until the start of the race. We milled around Patriots Place, seeking shade and trying to stay hydrated and cool. As we inched closer to 6 p.m. and the temps were still hovering around 78, I was once again cursing myself for signing up for the 10K.
Side Note: OK, so I just have to put this right here and say that I really have a love-hate relationshp with this race! I love how well-organized it is and that it has really turned into a great family-friendly event. But the combination of the heat and the late start are just uber challenging for me. Earlier in the week I had, in fact, thought seriously about switching to the 5K and joining my son and husband – actually who am I kidding, that thought went through my head right up until the moment I got my bib! But, the RC coaches and I agreed that the 10K fit better with where I am in my training plan, and that I should just treat it as a hard training run.
Soon the 5K was off! I had positioned myself where I could easily catch my husband and son in two spots along the first part of the course. I cheered them on and then headed back to the main plaza to listen to the music and wait from the 10K to be called to the start. My husband J sent me texts and selfies so I knew how they were making out. No sooner did I head the start area then I spoted them on the ramps of the stadium closing in on the finish.
Now it was my turn. There were significantly fewer of us running the 10K, and several of us joked that all of the 5Kers knew something we didn’t. Just after 7, we were off. We followed the same loop around the first parking lot the 5K did, but then turned away from the stadium heading for Rte 1. I was thankful we were not on Rte 1 sharing the road with cars for long, as the route quickly took us off into the residential neighborhoods behind the stadium. And, this is where the rolling hills began. A downside of this race (for me at least) is the general lack of spectators – some residents were out in their driveways and front yards and did their best to cheer. The kids were the best and I high-fived as many as I could. The burst of energy I felt during the first mile was short-lived and by the time I reached the long, slow climb that was mile 4, I had hit my heat wall – there was some walking involved. I locked in on a woman in a t-shirt with a fireworks burst on it and promised myself I needed to keep her in my sights. “Follow the fireworks” became my mantra.
As we returned to the stadium, we could hear the music and the announcer, but it was a cruel tease, because instead of heading into the stadium loop, the course veered away again for an out and back across the parking lot. I did not love this part of the race course at all – seriously, who wants to run through people tailgaiting?! Miss Fireworks and I leap-frogged each other and I passed a couple of runners I hadn’t seen since mile 2. Finally, I was back within the stadium, and heading for the final tunnel and on to the field. There were lots of people in the stands and on the field, and I love that the announcer calls out each runner by name and the finish line is shown on the jumbotron – so fun!
With our races done, we headed back to our car for well-deserved picnic and to wait for the fireworks – always a good show!
This race is really well done and a fun way to spend part of a 4th of July weekend. The volunteers were really friendly and encouraging, and all of the water stops were well staffed and stocked, (though some Gatorade would have been a welcome addition). I really was not a fan of the out and back thrown in at the end – I think it would have been better to add that extra mile to the neighborhood section of the course. I’d also encourage the race organizers to offer a better selection of post-race food – while I love KIND bars, KIND bars and water was not much of a post-race selection.
I’m sure my family will be back again next year, and I’m most certain that I’ll be sticking to the 5K 😉
Did you run a 4th of July race? Do you avoid summer racing or embrace it?
Congrats to all of you. I love the family pic! I feel your pain on hot races. They are SO grueling. And so mentally tough when there’s a shorter distance to tempt you. Way to dig deep!
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Great job on what sounds like a challenging race! There was a July evening 8k I used to do every year. They cancelled it this year and I was secretly happy about it 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Friday 5 – 2016 goals check in
Ha! That would have been me for sure if they had called this one 😉
So fun that you got your family to run it with you! Summer running I also have a love hate relationship with. I’ve come to love fall running
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Summer Skin Care Tips
It was great to see my so complete his first 5K, but I think I’m going to stick to just summer training and not racing 🙂
Congrats on finishing!! Love your honest thoughts through it all. It is strange they have a race that late in the evening. Great job though!
Thanks Mikki – I guess they were hoping it would be cooler if they pushed it later.
GREAT job on the race! Summer racing can be so brutal, the heat is intense! I didn’t race on the 4th, but I did get out there and run on the trails!
RFC recently posted…Surviving Summer Runs: How I Adapted to Running in the Heat
Thanks Heather 🙂
Congrats to your son and your family! What a fun day. I love that BLING!!! Summer running can be frustrating. The Hubby ran a Half on Memorial Weekend that was 73 degrees at 6:30am. Even as a front of the packer, he said he felt like quitting. They were pulling runners from the course left and right. That transition into summer running can be dangerous.
Wow -It’s always so scary to see runners go down on the course like that!
I was saying this the other day, but I’m not sure which is harder: short hot races or longer hot races! Because when you are running a shorter race, you tend to run harder, but when you are out there for a while, you take a bit more time and slow the pace. Either way, they are tough, so great job!
That’s funny my husband and I were having that same debate. I don’t mind long training runs in the heat, but could never race the longer distances.
Nice job on your race! I’ve never done a race at night, I could see that being really tough! Great that your whole family can get involved and then relax and enjoy the fireworks 🙂
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The whole night thing really threw me off, but I learned a lot that I can hopefully use when I run Vegas later this year.
I love that medal!! I tend to avoid running in the sun and heat, but the cool and overcast days are my jam!
I’m so with you on the cool and overcast for sure!
wow! congrats on the run. It’s great that you’re able to get your family involved
Thanks Enna we had a great time!
i do not like running in the summer, i can hardly walk outside in this heat 🙁 #texasheatsucks
Oh my gosh well Texas heat is a whole other level of hot vs. what we get here in New England!
I love Finish at the 50! I’ve done the 10K twice and the 5K once. I agree with you about the heat – every year it has been HOT. I ran this the day I found out I was pregnant two years ago and was freaking out because it was like 95 degrees that day.
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers recently posted…Stop being afraid of last place and sign up for that race!
Wow! I’m so impressed you still ran it! I’ve always said I’d love to try the same course as an early morning race, but I guess we’d have to give up the fireworks.
I love that you used Miss Fireworks to push you along! At my 10k, I had a guy whose shirt read “got freedom” on the back. I paced with him the entire race!
Great job!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Revising My Fitness Goals for the Rest of the Year
Always helps to pick a “rabbit” 😉
I love family fun races! I have many love hate races. A 4th of July race is one on our list but we are usually up at my parents and there is a big race there but it ends with a slip and slide and beer. Not what I would consider family friendly. Was hoping to do one down here in Cali since we were here for 3 weeks over the 4th but couldn’t find one close and forgot about the change in altitude, dryness, and weather.
Post-race slip and slide plus beer sounds like a lot of fun!!
I like how they start the 10k after the 5k! Most races here start all distances together.
I like that they separate them too. A couple of years ago they use to start all together and it was a hot mess!
I avoid walking outside in the summer heat, far less running lol Kudos to you for being able to make it through that!
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I did not run a 4th of July race, but I actually prefer training in the summer, as nutty as that sounds. (I’m really not a fan of running in the cold.) I loved the mantra! I usually try to pick out one person in distinguishable clothing to either trail or beat.
I always try to pick someone to follow and if they have an interesting outfit all the better as a distraction.
I love it when the family runs an event together. I didn’t run a July 4th race this year and I”m not even sure why. LOL
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I’m really enjoying that my sons have both shown an interest in running a race or two. Hopefully there will be more family racing to come!