http://tooffdk.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] tooffdk.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] davis_square2008-09-26 03:48 pm
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Somerville Homeless Coalition 5k

Heyyy

So, this will be my first ever 5k (or organized run, for that matter). Sure, I'm getting a bit nervous and training every day, but I think it should go fine, and will probably be a ton of fun.

I got an e-mail today saying the route has changed. It's posted here: new course.

I'm pretty new to the area. Does anyone have an idea how this race should be for a complete n00b? Are there any killer hills or craziness? What is the atmosphere like? I've heard that in most road races, I should expect to be running huddled in with a massive crowd, for the first bit.

I'm really excited, just a tad nervous as it is my first time!
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[identity profile] rufinia.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
There's some sloping, but nothing I would call "hilly."

GOod luck!

[personal profile] ron_newman 2008-09-26 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
You go uphill a bit from Davis to Teele, downhill from Teele to Clarendon Hill, back uphill some on the first few blocks of Powder House Boulevard. After Powder House Circle, the course is totally flat except for the Cedar Street bridge over the railroad tracks.

[identity profile] surrealestate.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Broadway also goes up and over the tracks.

I'd say the worst of it is the uphill from Davis to Teele.

[identity profile] georgy.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
This is pretty much the same course as the St. Patrick's Day 5K, which I did as MY first 5K ever (see icon) and found to be pretty doable.

Both 5Ks I've been to in Davis (the other was the Mom's Day run) have been awesome. Great vibes, good people, fun times.

I am doing the SHC 5K, too -- just my third race ever! I'm pretty excited. Are you new to running overall or just racing? (It's all new for me.)
Edited 2008-09-26 20:11 (UTC)

[identity profile] tooffdk.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
That's a great picture! Did you have someone take that for you? I'm a budding photographer myself, but I don't think I trust anyone with my pro equipment to take a decent shot. ;)

I am new to running. I recently lost about 100lbs over the course of the past 10 months, so being able to run a 5k will mean more to me than anything. Personal milestone!

[identity profile] georgy.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Nah, cribbed it from the professional photos they take at the race and emails links to after. ;-)

Go you!! I am a year or so removed from having lost about 50 pounds, so I know the feeling. I NEVER thought I could run a 5K, but here I am -- and here you are!

I'll take pictures!

[identity profile] winterhill.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't trust myself with your fancy cameras either, but I would gladly try to capture you with my point and shoot!

I'm so proud of you. Meow.

[identity profile] surrealestate.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey, you (and the OP) should join my team (http://surrealestate.livejournal.com/517402.html) for the race! You can join even if you've already registered.

But argh, I am kind of annoyed at the course change as I'd just gotten myself psyched to do the course as-was: killer hill on Central St and all. So now I need to completely change my mental thing.

Also, OP? If you're training every day, you're clearly not a n00b, so don't worry about it. :)

[personal profile] ron_newman 2008-09-26 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you have a link to a map of the old course? I'm curious now.

[identity profile] surrealestate.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
The map was at the same URL where the new map is. Last week, I started running it to get used to the course and commented to my friend that I was surprised they hadn't changed the route due to the construction, but figured if it hadn't been announced yet it wasn't going to be. Shows what I know.

Anyway, it started on Holland St, went down Elm to Somerville, up Central to Summer, down to Willow to Highland and finished on Holland.

[personal profile] ron_newman 2008-09-26 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Oy. I'm not surprised they changed it. I made the mistake of trying to ride my bike down that part of Somerville Avenue yesterday, and ended up using the sidewalk most of the way.

[identity profile] surrealestate.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
No, I'm not surprised they'd change it, just that they didn't do it sooner.

[personal profile] ron_newman 2008-09-26 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
The new course looks to me much easier than the old one.

[identity profile] surrealestate.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
The uphill on Central and part of Summer is pretty tough, but the upside is that it's followed by a long downhill to end on, which is nice. Dangit, I'd only just convinced myself that I was looking forward to doing that route instead of the 'usual' one. :)

[personal profile] ron_newman 2008-09-26 08:19 pm (UTC)(link)
This USGS Topographic Map may be helpful. (There are probably better sites to get such maps, but this is the first one I tried.)

[identity profile] secretlyironic.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
A small hill to one person is a mountain to another... but fortunately there are enough people in these races that you're pretty unlikely to be last. And if it's too steep, just walk! The whole set of races is a lot of fun.

[identity profile] closetalker11.livejournal.com 2008-09-26 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Like they said, a little hilly but nothing major. I did my first 5K a few weeks ago and it was fabulously fun. Yea!! :)
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