 posted Nov-11-2007 12:09 AM
   
10 November 2007Short version: 22:18, 5K PR by 5 seconds, 1st in AG 35-39 The rest of the story: This is the second in a series of three short races designed to remind me why I don't do many short races. The first was a 5K last month, where I ran 22:23. My goal for this race was to run sub-22. I made this goal without knowing anything about the course. How can a race have online registration but no course information? Skies were sunny and the temperature was about 50 degrees. I warmed up with my BIL by walking the first mile of the course and running the last 2. We discovered a rolling course with a downhill first mile, a flat second mile, and an uphill final mile. I hate finishing a race uphill, but at least now I knew what was coming. I planned to hold back a little in the first mile, increase my effort in the second mile, try not to die on the hill in the third mile, then finish with whatever I had left. My BIL wanted to run sub-22 as well (the sandbagger!), so we planned to stick together throughout the race. We had planned to do a few strides or warmup drills before the start of the race, but I was distracted by stupid things and didn't get them done. Ah, well. There were probably 200 runners at the start. My BIL and I lined up about five rows back. It took only a few seconds to get into the clear. Mile 1 - 7:03 @ 169 bpm The first mile felt about right, but I could tell I would have to let my BIL go. Near the end of this mile, I passed two girls running together, sisters judging by appearance, probably 10 and 13 years old. The other kids had dropped back long before, so I was impressed by these two. Mile 2 - 7:08 @ 178 bpm At about two miles, the two girls passed me back, and I managed to tell them "good job!" in a semi-intelligible way. Mile 3 - 7:21 @ 182 bpm The hill took its toll, but I kept pushing. The rest - 0:46 @ 186 bpm, max 190 bpm Total - 22:18, a 5K PR by 5 seconds. This course was more difficult than the one I ran last month, so I was pleased to have run a better time. I was also quite surprised to finish first in my age group (M35-39--hi Ilene!  ). My BIL finished in 21:10, and took third in M45-49. He is only running ~15 mpw now, so he has much better races in his future. The sisters finished together, 10 seconds ahead of me. If they stick with it, they're going to be good. Heck, they're good now. I love to see kids taking up running and doing well at it. I met Coolrunner GOLFNSKI, who took first in the M40-44 AG. Maybe dropping his name here will encourage him to post a race report. The overall winner, a former BYU XC runner, finished in 15:01. SS and mcsolar, I'm pleased to report that I did not hear a peep from my foot or shin. I'm sure I have a sub-22 5K in me, but it will have to wait. Next in the glutton-for-punishment race series is a 4-miler on Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to more suffering. 
The speedy sisters' finishing kick 
Finishing 
After, with my BIL 
The gadget report [This message has been edited by millbot (edited Nov-11-2007).]
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