The Bench and Run

Yesterday was the 10th running of the Run For Wednesday's Child or as PFFC and I always refer to it, "The Bench and Run". The basic idea behind it is first you bench your weight (or half your weight for women), doing as many reps as you can. Then you run a 5k. For each rep you benched, you get to subtract a minute from your 5k time.

Last year was my first time doing the Bench and Run. I weighed in around 123 lbs. which meant I ended up having to bench 65 lbs due to the somewhat convoluted way they did the rounding along with the fact that they didn't have 1 1/4 lb weights to use. Fine. I did 27 reps. Not bad but not stellar. And my 5k time was 24:09. Again, not great. But I still ended up with 2nd in the Bench and Run division and 3rd in my age group for the straight 5k.

This year, I vowed it would be different. First off, I was determined to make the weight - i.e. be 120 or under. That would ensure me of only having to bench 60lbs where I could easily crank out over 40 reps. And I'd train, I'd be faster. I wanted first place.

What's the saying?....the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Donuts were my downfall. I've decided they're my best pre-race food and snarfed a few of them before the Sucker Brook race. Combine that with the appearance of the bottomless Hersey Kiss jar at work, and I was doomed. In actuality, I did lose a few pounds. After a long dehydrating run I weighed in at 119 four days before the race.

So I approached the weigh in knowing it was going to be close. Walking up to the scale, I ditched my jacket, my tshirt, my flip-flops, my cap and what the hell, may as well lose the watch. You never know. I asked the older guy running the weigh in if I could weigh in naked. He stammered "Ahh...no...". Cracked me up. After all that, I stepped on the scale and 123. Wah! But I was ok with it, having been practicing at the gym with 65 and could now pump out over 30 reps. But then, new rule this year! They rounded DOWN! I only had to do 60! Yes!

A crowd of about 50-60 people crowded around the bench. About half the crowd were police cadets (they're a big sponsor of the race) and they boistrously yelled for their guys. It was amazing to see some of these big guys bench 225lbs like it was a stick. Then it was time for the women. I couldn't decide whether to go first and demoralize everyone (feeling a little cocky, eh?) or see how much everyone else did and then aim to beat it. First to go was the woman who always just wears a jog bra. That was fine this year, but last year it was around 40 and f&^&% freezing. Even after the race while hanging out for the awards ceremony she was still just in tiny shorts and jog bra while I'm in sweats, beanie and mittens. Very weird. Anyway she does around 36. I figure I can do at least that many plus I know I'm faster than her. PFFC goes, she does 24. A few other women go and none are close. So I decide it's my turn. Now, even though I was supposed to do 60 lbs, it turns out no one brought the 2 1/2 lb weights. Which means, there's no way to make the bar 60 lbs. It's either 55 or 65. Grrrr..... So, I'm back to doing 65 lbs. Fine. That's what I prepared for anyway. I take out the pony tail so my head's flat on the bench, get set and lift the bar off the rack. Bam! Pump out a quick 20 reps and lock out to rest. I looked at the clouds and thought, how strange and neat to be lifting outside. But the clouds moving beyond the bar makes me a little dizzy so I close my eyes. I open my eyes, stare at the bar and bang out another 6 or 7 reps and lock out to rest again. Bam! Again, punch out 3 or 4 more. My arms are getting tired but I'm at 31 which is the most I've done at the gym. Now, I hear S, Trish and the rest of the onlookers yelling, encouraging, cajoling me into trying for more. Each one gets slower. The 36th one I barely get up. I'm toast. I get 36 reps. Same as Jog Bra Girl. I'm happy but I know Cadet Girl still has to go.

But before Cadet Girl, another woman goes. She's supposed to do 60lbs also. But for some reason, they round her down to 55!!!!! What the hell? Who changed the rules? Not fair! S says something to the judges to that effect but they don't care. Cheater Girl does 31 or something like that. I'm too annoyed to care. Then it's Cadet Girl's turn. I know I'm faster than her by about 1 min/mile so I can give her 3 reps. If she goes over 39, I'm sunk. And she does 40. Now, I'm really cursing that I didn't get to do 55.

Let it go...let it go.. think about the run. Run like hell and make up the reps. I keep telling myself that but don't think I can go under 23. Plus, it's 85 and humid which is totally weird for a Boston September day. I line up at the front right behind Cheater Girl who looks like she can run at pace close to mine. I figure I have to at least stay with her so she can't beat me. Gun goes off, Black Eyed Peas are singing on my shuffle and I try to stay with Cheater Girl. First mile is around a 7:30. Perfect. I was afraid I'd go out too fast and blow up. However, Cheater Girl is still pulling away. Push harder, go faster. Head's on fire - way too hot for this. Grab a cup of water at the halfway point. One sip to drink, the rest on my head. Second mile around 7:50. Yow! Too slow but there was a strong headwind so I should be able to make up time on the way back. There were two younger women running together who passed me about then. I tried to stay with them, even passed them once. One was encouraging me to go, "You got it...you got it...go!" I put the hammer down and tried but just couldn't. Too hot, couldn't breathe, felt like the fruit smoothie I had for breakfast was going to get tossed any second. I stayed right behind them to keep on pace. Finished in 23:49 or so. 40 seconds faster than the Race For The Cure two weeks ago so I'll take it.

Overall, 2nd in the Bench and Run. 2nd women in my age group. 6th woman overall.

Next year, no donuts. I'm going to make the weight. :-) And we're bring a set of 1 1/4 and 2 1/2lb weights!