Race Recap: Bay Days 5-Miler (2012)

On Wednesday, July 4 I ran the Bay Days 5-Miler in Bay Village, Ohio.

This race was sponsored by the Cleveland West Road Runners Club (CWRRC) and has been an annual event for 38 years now. This was my first time running it. I knew that it would be hot on the fourth — but not this hot! The heat seems to be the theme of my summer racing season this year.

The race started at 8:30 a.m. right near Bay Village High School and it was already a scorcher. Minutes before race start I put aside any self-conscious thoughts and got rid of my tank top. Yes. This was my first sports bra-and-shorts race. It was that bad. I didn’t care what anyone thought, and frankly there were plenty of other women (all ages and sizes) doing the same and a fair share of shirt-less male runners too.

Official Time: 1:01:27
Pace: 12:18/mile
Age Group Placing (F 25-29): 21/25
Overall Placing: 447/477 (yikes!)

I forgot to take my camera… ‘ala my last Bay Village race.

Mile 1: Of course the first mile was mostly a warm up. The crowd was pretty thick as this is a large race. I didn’t have any issues getting around anyone, however, because I didn’t want to start off too fast. This was my longest run since the Cleveland Half… so I knew I needed to pace myself.

Mile 2-3: I remember being at Mile 2.5 and thinking I for sure was at Mile 3 or 4. No way. I could not believe how long this race was taking, or how hot and sweaty I already was. I mean dripping… entire body… shorts soaked. Awful hot. I saw women wearing capri pants and wondered how they were still on two feet.

Mile 3-4: I stopped at both water stops, however, the water was pretty warm which was disappointing. There was also a “third” water stop which was set up by a family in their front yard. I took some water they offered too. I focused on getting to the end of Mile 4, figuring then I would see the light at the end.

Mile 5: The heat was brutal and anytime I was not running in the shade I felt miserable. My walking breaks continued and I knew there was no way I was going to PR or even come close to my best 10K time. I was hoping to be done in under an hour. The race started looking up when I reached the last 0.25-Mile and was able to pick up pace. The race ended on the high school track — a nice finishing touch.

In Summary: It’s July 4. To run this race you must be prepared for it being hot. How hot? How humid? Who knows. Just run the Bay Days 5-Miler for some holiday exercise and try to come out alive. That’s my take. And don’t be afraid to ditch your shirt!