I have spent time recovering, rebuilding, and recently hitting the track for speed work. Wednesdays are speed work days. However, when I discovered my town had a 4 miler 2 miles from my house, I had to make this my "base-line"speed test run and see where I stand.
The last fast race I ran was a 5k in early April, where I hit a 6:35 pace. I was a little lighter and a lot more confident then. I hesitated about this race all day, because I did not want to put on those same racing flats I wore when I tore up my foot at the 4 mile mark of a 15k and do it all over again. Also, I was pleased with my last 5k and I did not want to go out and discover that I lost to much speed. I could not believe how anxious this race made me. I decided to wear my Garmin so I can have data to help me pace. That was a comfort.
I thought about running over to the race, but I wanted a few warm up miles in my trainers before swapping into my racing flats. I also did not want to be stuck having to hobble home, if I blew up my foot again. Once there, I learned that miss racing local runs. This race had about 300 runners and I did not see a lot of familiar faces. I have been out the local racing scene a little too long. I need to do this more.
I met my friend Martin, who I haven't seen since the 15k. We did our warm up together. I always love hanging out with Martin at races.
I met my friend Martin, who I haven't seen since the 15k. We did our warm up together. I always love hanging out with Martin at races.
I wasn't sure where to line up. At the start, I saw Ross, who calls me "Asthma" since he met me in a race while my asthma was so bad he thought I was going to need help. I got in the second row, behind Martin, who is good at clearing the way. Ross asked what my goal was. I said I wasn't sure and he said "Really, YOU have no idea?" :) I confessed that I had a range... any where from sub-8 through sub-7 pace. Secretly, I did want to break 7 but I wasn't really sure I could.
I was grateful for the cooler temperatures, in the mid-80's today. It was still a little humid but not too bad at all. The race started and I filed in behind the first place woman. Just like last year, in the same place, I pulled up next to Esly whom I haven't seen since last year. I asked how he felt (noticing the one calf sleeve) and he said "Good". He asked me how I was, and I said "So, so". Then he dropped a little psychological grenade which I can only assume was him trying to give me an edge. He asked "So, you gonna break 25 today?" I smiled and said "Not today. Today I am playing." He said, "We are on pace for 25?" I said, "Yes, well, you know me. This is how it starts. This is how they all start. Then I fade." First place woman pulled a little bit away and Esly whispered, "Just sit on her til the end"... I whispered back, "That's the plan." Then I pulled away from Esly.
We hit the overpass and I looked at my pace and it had dropped too slow. Sitting wasn't going to be a good idea if running easy would allow me to pass her. I made a move, but settled back into 6:45 pace.
I grabbed a cup of water at the mile 1 stop. I usually wear my Garmin on the inside of my wrist, but I moved it to the top of my wrist today. Don't know why. When I saw the Mile 1 mark and needed to split the watch, I had just got handed water. In a move of sheer brilliance, I grabbed the water in my left hand and proceeded to instantly DUMP out almost all of it as I turned my wrist so I could tap the split buttons. I am sure the cup lady was either LOL or WTF as she watched my excellent decision making skills. I hit split, salvaging a small swig of water. I immediately recalled why I wear the watch "upside down" and vowed to never wear the Garmin the right way again. Mile 1 was 6:38.
First place woman made a move back and passed me. I decided to try the "Sit and Wait" strategy again. I kept her in range as we moved along. I ran a pace that felt like I was almost running too fast. I made an effort to feel challenged but comfortable. My middle two miles were 6:51 and 6:52 and very relaxed. First place woman would pull further ahead, then I would make up ground, and she would pull ahead again. But as the minutes passed, I could sense her drifting out of range.
Mile 3 was clicked off at the top of the return trip over the overpass. As we hit that last mile, we both picked up a bit. It was here my asthma finally made an appearance. I felt tingly and uncomfortable. I knew I could not kick the entire way in. I decided that when I had a half mile to go, I would try to catch her. At a half mile to go, I caught the guy ahead of me, who then battled me back and beat me by a second. However, first place woman was a wonderful competitor and dropped the hammer in that last mile, taking the lead by 11 seconds. My last mile was 6:43. I looked back and Esly was just 1 second behind.
It was a fun race. Having her there always 5-10 seconds ahead of me really motivated me. Having my Garmin did help me run an evenly paced race. I love the feeling of a good road race and I think I need to pop into a few more of these! :)
Stats:
16 OA/ 303 runner
2nd F
27:04
6:46 pace
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