I typed this race report this morning, only to have it disappear. Hopefully I can recapture my earlier enthusiasm.
Race conditions were pretty much perfect for early March in the north east. Temps in the mid 40's and just a slight breeze. The course was an out and back with very little flat land to speak of. All rolling hills with the first half heading out to the water and sea level and then back up to the finish. My expectations were not that high as I was comong off of a 20 mile race a month ago and I have only started to feel normal again the past week. Plus there hasn't been much in the way of speed work except a couple fartlek workouts leading up to the 20 miler.
My wife and I headed up to South Boston the day before the race. The express purpose of this race was to go and enjoy the St. Patrick's Day Parade but I figured while I was there I might as well run the race. I woke up later than usual- 8:00. Race was a 10:00 start so I'm already feeling a little behind. We grab a bite to eat and head out the door for the race. I ran this race 2 years ago and there were less than 400 runners. This year 1500 hundred people signed up so the number pick up was a mob scene. Luckily I had pre-registered so there was no big wait. Got my number and did a little warm up and it's time to go.
The start was chaotic to say the least. Being a boys and girls club race all the kids felt they needed to be up front and I was seriously worried about someone getting hurt at the start. I ended up standing behind a couple of young boys in dresses. I'm happy to say they were pretty good sprinters and I had a clear path for the first couple hundred yards. That's when the "leaders" all died and proceeded to plug up the roadway. I was just about through the traffic when a runner in front of me dropped his car keys; don't ask; and stopped dead to pick them up. I did a half hurdle, half side step, to get around him and continued on my way.
The first mile was at 5:56 which was right where I was hoping to be. As I neared the half way point I could count the runners coming back towards me and knew I was in 15th place. I worked the final down-hill before the turn-around and then headed back up the hill. Usually in a 5k I'll use the time between 1.6 to 2 miles to recover and then press the final mile. I had talked strategy with my training partner and had decided to push the entire 2nd mile and see what happened. I haven't been doing much for speed work but I have been doing some hill work and long runs. I was hoping that although I'm not as fast as I've been in the past, maybe I was strong enough to make up for it.
I kept my eye on the runner in front of me and found myself making up ground. Next thing I knew I was going by him and aiming for the next runner. Mile 2 was 5:54 according to the Garmin. I didn't bother looking at my watch for the whole race. The idea was to run as hard and smart as I could and not worry about time. Two solid splits and still feeling pretty good. Back to the rolling hills and I'm making good headway. We head into the final hill, about a quarte mile long and the runner in front of me has about 100 yards on me. I doubt I'll be able toi catch him but I keep my eye on him as I climb that final hill. The gap starts to close but I run out of time. I take the final turn and cross the finish line. I look down at my watch and see the number 18. I can't believe it. I've run a P.R. in the first race of the year. Final time was 18:53. I had run a 19 flat about a year and a half ago so the idea that I'd set a best at this race never crossed my mind. Another surprise was finishing first inmy age group. I'd done it before but never at a race this big.
I have to say that I was thrilled with every aspect of my race this weekend. I learned a few things that I hope I can remember and use in the future. The biggest thing I've learned was that I don't necesarily have to be at my fastest to run my fastest. I just have to be strong and smart.
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