 posted Nov-22-2007 03:36 PM
   
Gallop and Gorge 8K
Carrboro, NC
Results:
36:12 (7:17 pace)
112/741 OA
6/28 M50-54 (I would have still been 6th if I was in the 55-59 AG!)
1-4th place M50-54 were 33:06 or better! Tough field!
This was a spur of the moment decision. It’s been 12 days since the Richmond Marathon but recovery has gone very well. I’m planning on running a half marathon next weekend and really need a good hard effort to remind my body that a prolonged high heart rate will not kill me. My neighbor said this was the flattest course around. Well it wasn’t flat but was “flat” for Chapel Hill. I was looking forward to a fast run and a PR (my first 8K race). The turnout was excellent… record year. I think the clear fall sky with temperature at 64F at the 8:00 start was a major attraction for many. 65F is a bit too warm for me. I like 40’s. Ok, some rolling hills (50 ft max) and 65F, not perfect but I felt really good today.
[side note on]I met a friend, David, who had run Richmond. He is very fast and my age (54). I asked how he did and he was very disappointed. He had an injury like PDR’s this year and this was his first marathon for 2007. He ran 3:02:xx, 10 min slower than last year. His buddy said David had run sub 3 hr marathons every year for the past 30 years, until now.. Hope he runs another in December! [side note off]
Goals for the race:
1. PR (guaranteed since this is my first 8K)
2. Maintain high HR for preparation for the half marathon
3. Break 36:00 (7:14 pace) There were probably 600+ runners. I lined up second row back behind David since no chip timing. At 8:10 or so we were off with a start gun firing. The first quarter mile was downhill so the Garmin was reading low 6’s. Then came rolling, long ups and downs. Passed mile 1 at 6:59 (AHR170). This rolling continued and effort was hard. We turned into some shaded neighborhoods just at mile 2 which clocked in at 7:25 (although Garmin said 7:16..grr) (AHR 177). Zigzagging through the neighborhoods with small, nice rollers, mile 3 came in at 7:07 (Garmin said 7:18) (AHR 176). After mile 3 there were more uphills where I found that I was passing people like mad. Thinking only 2 miles to go and this is really hard, and HOT, I just kept pressing on. My HR was showing 180 alot but I was not dying. The first feeling of fatigue set in and for a bit I decided to hang with fellow runners (what, is this a marathon idea??). Right about then we hit another gradual uphill and I just dug in and broke away from the runners rut (never even saw the 4 mile mark) then the turn to the last 200 yards came into view and I was able to pick it up some more. Once the finish was in sight I hit "strider" mode and blew past several runners and only one young guy blew past me into the finish. Crossed at 36:13 (7:17 pace) Max HR 181. This is the fastest I’ve run 5 miles [u]ever[/u] so I’m happy!! 2 of 3 goals met and only 14 secs off #3. Lesson.. don’t “tuck in” with other runners during a short race! I also got home in time to get the bird in the oven! Instead of a shirt they gave us socks with a roasted turkey picture on them and logo "I Got Cooked…" Boy was that true! FR: blue/silver Asics 2120, white coolmesh Wright Socks, navy with silver side strpes Nike shorts, navy and white race ready singlet, Garmin 305. ETA: official results
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[This message has been edited by perchcreek (edited Nov-24-2007).]
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