Started with 3 miles Easy in 24:18 (8:06/mi, avg HR 148) as a warmup. Warmed up by running the 5k route as a recon, since I've never run a race in this neck of the woods before, and there were more than a couple turns. Fortunately, the course was well marked, and mostly flat, except for the initial climb from the start on a track. Out and back course. Crowded field for the start (many more folks than I'd anticipated, plus a combined 5k/5mile start) but me a few seconds off the starting line. At 9am, we were off. It took about .25 miles to get up to speed due to the crowds, but eventually I got into a good rhythm. Pace was actually on the fast side initially, but felt pretty relaxed and easy (which I knew wouldn't last). My left foot and leg were still giving me some problems, so I vowed to ease off if they got any worse than troublesome, but they didn't. Started reeling several other runners in almost immediately. Mile 2 still felt pretty easy. Breathing rhythm was still at 3-3 (although a fast 3-3), which was surprising, since my legs felt like they were pretty much at max speed without losing form rapidly. So I kept that pace knowing the O2 debt would come. At the Mile 2 marker, I was finally starting to feel it.....the breathing dropped down to 2-2 and I struggled to keep my breathing relatively deep in the belly and to stay on pace, but I tried to steer away from looking at my watch (garmin) often, running rather on effort I felt was sustainable. I was still reeling some folks in, but far fewer now. I did try to strategize a bit here......when I did pass someone, I added a little extra for a few seconds to make them "stay passed", and it seemed to work. I had one guy try to keep up when I went by him, but the extra speed I added briefly quickly dropped him, which felt good. No .1 marker, but the end of the race was the downhill followed by a half track lap. The downhill which I normally eat up was tough, and I could tell the pace had taken it's toll on my legs. I did manage a bit of extra speed for the final bit of the race, but nothing resembling a sprint....seemed like my legs had locked in at max speed and that was it. Crossed the line at 19:05 (unofficial....times to be posted in the next couple of days) feeling pretty spent, but strangely not quite as "wasted" as my only other 5k. Interestingly, in this 5k, my leg speed appeared to be the limiting factor. Granted, I was chewing up O2 in the last mile, but in my last 5k, I was in a 2-2 breathing pattern by mile 1, where this race my 3-3 lasted until mile 2. Since I'm in a base phase now and have done no real speedwork recently, perhaps that's why my top-end was the limiting factor? I certainly didn't feel like I was in "puke gear" at the end, unlike my last 5k. In any event, a good way to kickoff '08, with a 16th place overall, 13th in the mens category, and 3rd in my age group. I later found out that the race was stacked in the 40-60 age groups, so my AG finish is a bit less impressive (3 of 12) and many ran the 5 mile race, but still I managed to drop my 5K PR by over 1 minute. All in all, a happy new years. Of course, that's excluding my car saga. My 10 year old Saab decided that I wasn't authorized to drive it. Rather, my remote unlocker decided to stop working. Unfortunately, I'd armed the alarm, so while I could unlock the door with the key, the alarm would sound. On top of that, my wallet, money, and more importantly, cell phone were all in the car. So I waited until the least amount of folks were around, and set it off to retrieve my cell and call my wife for help (whom I'd thankfully *not* drug along with me to the race but instead let sleep in). Needless to say, it was embarrasing. Later, after some chow and the awards ceremony, I discovered my car remote decided to start working again, so I managed to get my rescuer to turn around 30 minutes into her trip to save me. Guess it's at least time for a new remote! 5K Race in 19:05 (6:09/mi, avg HR 177). Splits according to Garmin (3.17 mi total) 6:04, 5:59, 6:04, :56.
Brooks Adrenaline (Yellow) - 135 miles. | 