 posted Jun-23-2007 10:18 PM
   
So, this is a for big event for MN RED since one of our sponsors is a sponsor for the race. Good turn out and a nice hilly course!!!We will do CamScam's race first -- since I forgot him when I originally posted... He came into this race on approximately 2 runs worth of training. Said he wanted to try to PR (because he has a $5 PR bounty). So, I told him to run 7:30's (his PR is 24:20). So, at the start, I positioned him about where I thought he should be. Gave him a hug and told him to run smart. Can tell you what went on in the race, but his splits were: 7:34, 7:54, 8:03, 1:14 for a 24:46 Not too shabby on light training and a tough course (although he seems to like to run well on tough courses) As for me -- Came into this race on less than stellar legs (NO EXCUSES!). I have been fighting stiffness for the last couple of weeks in my right leg (ITB, Hamstring, etc.). But enough of the pity party -- shut up and run!!! So, we get to the start and it's time to take inventory. Who's wearing flats and who's wearing trainers? Usually a pretty good sign of who you are going to battle. My teammate Brian just picked up some racing flats recently -- not a good sign!!! Good news, only a few wearing flats besides Brian. Bad news -- they look FAST!!!! So, we hear the "GO" word and get after it. A couple of runners IMMEDIATELY start distancing themselves from everyone else. Brian is trying to stay with them. I try to settle in at around 5:15/5:20 pace. This puts me in around 8th or 9th place. Ron is trying to run with me, but seems to be struggling right off the bat. Biran is pulling away, but I usually catch him in the 2nd mile. Right turn and then a nice uphill before mile 1 hits. When we make the right, I am running about 5:13 pace. When we make the left at the top of the hill, I am at 5:25 pace. No complaints other than the fact that Brian hasn't slowed. Trying to work with the group of younger runners ahead of me. They are running in a pack, and I am wondering what they are doing. After we hit mile 1 (Mile 1 -- 5:25 @ 159
), some start to slow, so I surge. Most of them let me go, but 2 stay with me. At this point, I think I am in 7th. I pass another couple and move into 4th? They are right with me though, so I am not confident in my position. 5th takes me back around 1.8, and 6th is right there. YIKES! Brian is still a bit ahead, so I try to put a target on his back. Just before the 2 mile mark, we come out of a park and make a right. 4, 5 and 6 are running in a bunch. Me and another surge. 6 doesn't come with us. OK, let's run! Mile 2 -- 5:40 @ 165 So, Brian is still out there -- In reach??? The other person and I keep surging and passing back. Lots of fun. Left turn and then a NASTY HILL! We start closing on Brian a bit. Can I catch him? Got it down to maybe 15 or 20 yards. I think he is coming back to me... Right turn at around 2.5 and then a A$$ kicker of a hill. The worker on the course says stay on the path. Brian hears stay on the left and stays in the road. Is this a big deal??? Brian stays on the road, and my dueling partner and I hit the path. MUCH steeper. WHATEVER!!! As we make the turn just before mile 3, I am in 4th place and I can see Brian within striking distance. Can I catch him? No, I don't think so!!! Brian ran the 800 in college! Generally, I have him in endurance but not speed... Mile 3 -- 5:43 @ 169 So, we keep huffing and puffing! I am in 4th as we enter the finish area. Not going to catch Brian, but would like to stay in my place. Not going to happen! I get passed with about 100M to go and I have nothing to give other than encouragement! So, here's the bottom line: 17:39
5th out of 192
1st in AG
3rd fastest 5k ever Brian held on to finish 3rd in a PR time of 17:28!!! I wish I would have had more legs under me so I could have pushed Brian a bit more. I think he still would've beat me, but I could have pushed him a bit more!!!!  Thanks for reading! EDITED because Proud Papa forgot about his son's stellar performance. [This message has been edited by hermosaboy (edited Jun-24-2007).]
IP: Logged |
!
