First, let me say that I was so overwhelmed by your guys’ support for my crazy NYC PR goal. I’m still undecided about what number I’m going to choose for my training paces, but your belief in me definitely gives me a boost in confidence ❤
The past 5 weekends, my kids have been participating in the Healthy Kids Running Series. Last year, my daughter did it, but was overwhelmed by the crowds and wasn’t comfortable running unless mommy ran with her.
Not this year though. Each and every single race, she ran with a HUGE smile on her face. Even the weekend that she was sick.
My little runner ❤
I had a feeling my son wouldn’t struggle. Even though he’s the same age my daughter was last year (and she struggled then), I knew he’d love being in the midst of craziness. That’s just his style, lol!
There he is–red shirt, black shorts–cruisin’ ❤
We remembered from last year that there was a Parent’s Mile after the last kids’ race. My husband and I didn’t participate last year (I don’t remember why) but we figured we’d run it this time around. I’ve never done a mile race and thought it would be kinda cool. I had very little expectations.
My husband went first. There was a good crowd of dads and right when the whistle blew about 5 of them took off! My husband didn’t, and I knew that he was going to run a smart race and not start out too fast. Sure enough, he started picking off runners as he ran but the first place dad (who was one that took off) had gained quite a bit of distance–too much ground for my husband to cover in a mile. He ended up taking second with a 6:10 clock time and 5:56 Garmin (his watch had him at over a mile–we thought it strange the big time discrepancy).
Then it was my turn. There were more moms than dads and as we crowded at the start, all of us chatted about not really knowing where to go on the course. One mom said, “I’m sure there’ll be one of you leading the way.” Another mom asked who ran 8 minute miles and me and one other woman raised our hands. I guess we’d be the ones leading.
Sure enough, when the whistle blew, it was me and her leading the pack. She had a couple of feet lead but I was just trying to make sure that I had enough in me to finish the whole thing. I didn’t want to burn out.
As we ran, I kept her close in sight and as we turned to begin the second (last loop), I knew I had to make a decision:
Should I speed up and pass her, knowing that once I did, she’d speed up and it would be a fight for first?
OR
Should I maintain pace, and finish second, knowing that that was a done deal and I’d have enough energy for my Mother’s Day 5k the next day?
I had to choose quick and when we headed towards a straightway, I decided to go for it. I took advantage of being past the turns (each one we had to slow down for) and picked up my pace on the straightaway, gaining on her each second that went by.
Closing in…
We turned and I crept up behind her, passed her, and did a little surge. I could tell she was tired but not out for the count.
Surging!
We kept going. She was right behind me, and I knew that at the last turn towards the finish, it would be a fight.
Down to the wire!
The last turn came quickly, and I heard her husband shout, “You got this Julie!! You know what to do!!” I was still in front of her and while I’ve always been confident in myself that my kick is strong, I dug deep for all the strength I had so she would not pass me.
I was pumping my arms up and down–running as fast as I had ever ran in my entire life, not feeling, hearing, thinking anything. Just run, Helly!!!
Those last 10 seconds were the most painful I’d ever felt–Garmin said I was at a 4:56 pace!
And I won!!!!
The clock time read 6:50 and my Garmin said 6:53–either one, it was the fastest I’d ever run a mile.
There was no medal, no certificate–we weren’t running for anything, lol! Just pride, I guess. Ha!
When I finished, I high-fived the second place mom. She had ran track in high school (which explained her husband encouraging her at the final sprint). Her husband had taken third, behind my husband, in the Dad’s race. People came up to congratulate us, saying how exciting the race had been to watch. My kids kept yelling, “Mommy, you were the line leader!!” And my daughter gave me a huge hug.
But, I was feeling extremely light-headed and told my husband I needed to sit down. We still had a busy day ahead of us–a birthday party literally right after and a baby shower in the afternoon. I ended up spending the whole day extremely exhausted and when I crawled into bed that night, I could barely move. I had zero regrets for giving it all I had that morning; I saw something in me I had never seen. But, I knew that I was paying for it.
–Have you ever ran a mile race??
–Has it ever gone down to the wire for you in a race?
–Ever felt light-headed after running fast?
Woohoo!!!!! Go, Helly!!!! If I had been there, I would have been screaming my head off.
Never felt light-headed, but I threw up a couple of times after a race. Not recommended.
I haven’t thrown up (yet) but I’ve peed myself and have felt light-headed many times. Oh the joys of running….
Wooo! Nice job taking the lead and finishing strong!
Thank you!!!
Yay!! Great job!! That is an awesome mile and for you do be able to push yourself to that place you hadn’t before has to be an amazing feeling!! 🙂
It was an amazing feeling for like 5 seconds, then it was pain, lol!!! My body was so sore after and I was sick for two days. Not just b/c of the mile race, but because I ran a hard 5k the day after. Too much running fast, jaja!! Thank you!!
Congrats to you, Helly!! So speedy! And congrats to your hubby too. You two together are a powerful running couple now 😀 I ran a mile race but it was almost 4 years ago now – pretty sure I’d crush my old mile time now 😉
And your kids are the cutest!!! ❤
I’m pretty sure your mile would crush mine! I won, but I know that my mile wasn’t crazy fast like I know yours and others could be, lol!!
Congratulations, Helly!!!!!!!!! That must have been so exciting to experience and for your family to see you kick ass like that. Your kiddos are lucky they have you as a role model. 🙂 I did race the mile twice. My most recent one was my PR and it was like… the whole thing was a cloudy dream. I think I had to like disassociate myself from my body!
You nailed it. It seriously was like I had to separate myself from my body. I just ran so hard and thought about absolutely nothing. Totally like a a cloudy dream. Happened so fast.
Way to go, Helly! I’ve never run a mile race but I bet it would be super hard to go fast without burning out.
It’s so hard, lol!!! I don’t know that I would sign up for many, jaja!!
You are amazing! Congrats. I am so excited and proud of you. Isn’t it amazing what a difference a year can make with a little one? We have kids who do spring sessions with us who cry and won’t separate or are just super shy. After a summer away, it is always amazing to see how so many of them are so grown up in the fall session. Your little ones are adorable!
Exactly!! My daughter was so shy last spring and this spring, was all about it! I think it helped her see mommy run a lot more (I took her to races) so she understood what was happening. My son though, right from the get-go had zero problems, lol!! It’s funny how different each kid can be. 🙂 Can’t wait to see your little girl run!!!
So exciting! I loved reading this post! That’s why I loved track. It’s a different beast and is own way. Congratulations on your win!
I totally left everything out there though, and failed you on the 5k.
And that’s exactly why I didn’t like track. Way too fast and exhausting, lol!!!
YAY nice job!! I love how you scoped out the frontrunner and picked her off at the end.
I kept her close enough to where if I wanted to give it shot, I’d be able to. I contemplated not, lol, but then decided to just go for it! It hurt, though, ja!!
Love this! Congrats!!! Your daughter looks so happy running and THAT hug post race – your face says it all. Way to go!
That post race hug was seriously the best 🙂 ❤
Wow!! What an awesome mile!!! I loved reading how that race went. You got an awesome flying pic! That is so cool that they do those races for kids!
It really is. My kids see mommy and daddy race often and they loved having “their turn” 🙂
Nice work Helly! You certainly found your killer instinct. And so glad that your daughter had such a great time.
Thank you!! I don’t know about killer instinct. That might’ve been a one and done, lol!!!
Woo hoo!!! Amazing run!! That pic is intense! Your daughter’s form is better than mine!! 😀
She gets that form from daddy! I look like I’m just trying to hang on for dear life when I run, lol!!
Congratulations on your win!!!! Your daughter is soooo adorable, I can’t!
One Run At A Time, Or How To Avoid Toxic Thoughts: https://candiesandcrunches.com/2016/05/10/one-run-at-a-time-or-how-to-avoid-toxic-thoughts/
Aww thank you!!! Seeing them cheer for me is what gave me the boost I needed 🙂
What an exciting read!! You did it!!!! Way to choose to challenge yourself (and Julie) in that final lap by going for it and hanging on with a fast kick! Your kids should be very proud of their fast parents. 🙂
Thank you!!! It was a split second decision and even though it hurt, I’m glad I did it 🙂
HELLYYYYY! Mile races are NO JOKE. Those short distances are tough AF. I love how you kicked it past her at the end. WOOHOOO!!! Congratulations. I hope you’re feeling fine now!
When I was done, I couldn’t help but think how the hell you and Allison do that for 26 point freaking 2 miles.
And I seriously felt like shit for two whole days after. I’m barely starting to feel better, lol
Dang girl. You get faster with every post! What a fun running family you have 🙂
It’s getting harder with every race, lol!! Thanks, Mar!
Congrats, Helly!! That is so cool that you came in FIRST and your kids were there to see it!! I’ve never run a mile race, but it sounds miserably hard 😉 Hope you had a wonderful mother’s day!
That’s exactly what it was: miserably hard. LOL!! Thank you!!
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