Rutgers Unite 8K 2018 Race Recap

Who ever thought I’d be doing another race recap again (the last and only one before that was 8 years ago)? I’ve been talking about starting up running again for the longest time since it’d probably be good for rounding out my workouts and building my nonexistent endurance, so I’m back today with my recap of the Rutgers Unite 8K race (…from 2 weeks ago)!

Last November, Trish told me she wanted to run a race and asked if I’d do it with her. What better way to motivate each other than by signing up for a race together?!

Rutgers Unite 8K 2018 Race Recap

“Farrah, let’s do a triathlon next!”

We decided on the Rutgers 8K since it seemed like a pretty doable distance. The Rutgers Unite 8K race (+ half marathon) offers the following for race swag!:

  • Technical shirt
  • Finish medal
  • Free race photos
  • Commemorative coffee mug
  • Vanity bib
  • Free 12 or 16 week training plan
  • Finish festival party

Because it’s us and we’re fairly type A individuals, we mapped out our proposed training plans onto a shared google doc to keep each other accountable.

So far, so good, right?!

…This “race recap” is very much a “what not to do” post.

Too Much Fuel (hah)

After we picked up our race stuffs, we…went to a sushi buffet and stuffed our faces for lunch. >_>

This is one of the plates we ordered.

We also didn’t eat breakfast, partly due to sleeping in and probably also because of poor planning.

Lack of Planning

We couldn’t find the shuttle stop that’d bring us to the start line…and I also forgot to pee again before leaving my apartment. Running while needing to pee kinda sucks.

We ended up making it to the start line about 2 minutes before it started. Our warmup was basically power walking from the shuttle stop to the start line. šŸ˜…

Lack of Training

Between balancing residency, studying for boards/life, and my other workouts/clubs (salsa, ballroom, rock climbing, lifting), let’s just say that I ran a total of 4-5 times from the day I signed up to the day of the race. 75% of these runs happened because of Gixo, and 1 was because another friend is training for a race against Princeton and just started up running again (except for him, “starting up” = 2 miles in 14 minutes–running with me slowed him to 17 minutes šŸ˜­).

Do not do this.

Lack of Sleep

This wasn’t actually as bad because I typically only get 5 hours of sleep anyway, and I got 6 hours the night before the race(!). I did work a 25 hour shift up through the morning of the day before the race though. (That being said, the shift itself was actually probably as chill as it could’ve been for working in the hospital.)

Poor/Lack of Preparation

I’m sure at one point, we’d looked up the course beforehand, but we never ended up getting to run it together or separately either until race day. (sigh)Ā The climbing team also had a formal the night before–thankfully, I spent most of my time sitting instead of standing in heels. :D?

I’ve never really run in super cold weather before (the NWM was a comfortable 50-60 in SF). It decided to be in the high 30’s/low 40’s on race day despite being a gorgeously beautiful 70’s the day before. I don’t actually own cold weather running clothes and was debating running with a jacket vs. without. We decided to go without in hopes that it’d inspire us to run faster.

Thank goodness for the headband (it has unicorn kitties on it)–it actually helped a lot in keeping me warm(er)! Also, RBF ftw.

 

With all that in mind, our expectations for this race were pretty low. We had two goals:

  • Don’t die (+ finish the race).
  • Maintain a steady pace (preferably at ~10min/mile).

The race itself actually wasn’t bad at all! (I was genuinely worried for a little while given all of the above.) I think what helped me the most was randomly deciding at the start line to find a running playlist on Spotify at 160-170 bpm. It kept me at an easy/steady pace the entire time and I actually didn’t feel like dying at all during any part of the race! (I’m a fan of sprinting the last bit so that part was tiring, haha.)

My second piece of race bling ever!

My arbitraily chosen playlist consisted entirely of songs I’d never heard of before, but some of my favorites include:

  • Electricity – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
  • First/Last – Afterpartees
  • Doused – DIIV
  • Turn Away – Mikal Cronin
  • Spellbound – Moss
  • Generational Synthetic – Beach Fossils

Trish wondering why she’s friends with me.


  • Have you ever run a race with little to no preparation? Try to avoid it if you can. :[
  • Do you have RBF (resting bitch face) when you run?
  • Do you run with music? What’s on your running playlist?

Permanent link to this article: https://www.fairyburger.com/rutgers-unite-8k-2018-race-recap/

26 comments

Skip to comment form

    • Ricardo on April 30, 2018 at 12:59 am
    • Reply

    So, looks like you won that race! =p

    I’ll be preparing (sort of) for that hiking I promised you. So if that counts, I’ll do what I can for that and not die somewhere on the trail (I definitely wouldn’t want you to try and drag me off).

    I might have RBF mostly because it would take hella focus to try and keep running altogether.

    Of course I listen to music when I workout, so running is no different. Mostly EDM (so like House music or Drum’n’Bass) and rock (Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Motorhead, etc)

    But I have to now be more accountable in keeping it up is all.

    1. haha, we met our goals, that’s for sure! :P

      And yay for hiking! Please don’t die. D:

      The music definitely helped a lot! :] I’m gonna have to add some more rock to my running playlist (once I start that up again…).
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  1. Looks like you had a blast and survived! Perhaps not planning and stressing works really well for you :)
    Deborah Brooks recently posted…JalapeƱo Quinoa Lentil SlawMy Profile

    1. haha, I’d definitely want less stress, but I’m glad it worked out!!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  2. Looks like a great race! No training for the win…right? I always have RBF when I run. I prefer to call it focus… :p

    1. hahaha, right? ;_; I’m glad it worked out. And yess, I like “focus” better too!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  3. Even given some of the obstacles, so glad you were able to finish!
    Abbey Sharp recently posted…Is a Vegan and Vegetarian Diet Safe During Pregnancy?My Profile

    1. Thanks, Abbey! Us too!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  4. That’s not RBF, it’s focused runner face :P

    I ran my first trail race without running at all for more than a month before (because of wildfire smoke) – also not recommended.
    Hannah recently posted…Hot runs, cold water: week in reviewMy Profile

    1. haha, that does sound a lot better! :P

      Whew!! Major props to you!!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  5. I have a half marathon coming up this weekend — for which I have adequately prepared — but I’m always looking for more running music! While training, I switch between listening to podcasts and music. I like the variety and distraction.
    Christina recently posted…Mango Turmeric Milk Protein SmoothieMy Profile

    1. Best of luck to you on your half marathon! I’m glad you are adequately prepared! :P I need to find some good podcasts–that’s a good idea as well!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  6. Go you! I would never have been able to finish if I didn’t prepare…and even then, I’m not a runner, so yeah, no races in my future. LOL

    -Lauren
    ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Local Tourist: Kingā€™s Island, Baby Animals, and Two Concerts!My Profile

    1. hehehe, I would’ve tried to powerwalk the rest if I couldn’t keep running/didn’t get injured, but I’m glad it worked out! *-*
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  7. You did great! I have really old playlists or I try to find something on Amazon Music. I didn’t know you could pick playlists by pace on Spotify. I always look miserable in my race photos. Way beyond RBF ….

    1. Thank you! <3! I didn't know that either, but it was definitely a valuable discovery 2 minutes before the race started (hahaha).

      There there–we're just very focused! :'(
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  8. Great job finishing! I walked a 10k last year and that’s about as race-y as I get. ;)
    Rachel G recently posted…Baby: Two MonthsMy Profile

    1. hehehe, I might do that too if I find a pretty place for a 10k! :]!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  9. Congrats on the finish. Don’t die is always a good goal to have :)

    1. We strive for success! ;P!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  10. Running without breakfast and not rested and finish race?! You are wonder woman :D I’m glad you finished that race. It only means you are survivor and capable of doing many things in hard situations. Congrats!

    1. haha, I’m still surprised but I’m glad! :D And thank you! <3!!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

  11. Girl, you still did SO much better than I would have done! Way to go!
    Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: DIY Instant Hot Chocolate MixMy Profile

    1. Thanks, Kristy! <3!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

    • Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com on May 1, 2018 at 9:23 am
    • Reply

    This sounds like such a great race and I love the medal! Congratulation on a job well done!!

    1. Thanks so much! :]!
      Farrah recently posted…Outdoor Rock Climbing at Ralph Stover State ParkMy Profile

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CommentLuv badge