A Hero’s 5k 2017 – Race Recap

Race #121
5k #44
2017 Race #5
2017 5k #1
A Hero’s 5k #3

It has been a while since I ran this race. I am much different runner than the first and second time that I ran this race back in 2011 and 2012. Additionally, this year I want to focus on longer distances, especially the marathon. I had planned to run the iRecycle Half Marathon in Spartanburg but each time I looked for information about this year’s edition, I found nothing. I needed a March race, saw this one and ended up registering. Mom joined me.

Since I am in the middle of training for my goal race, Mountains 2 Main Street, I sandwiched this run in between 40 minutes on one side and 30 on the other to make a total of about 90 minutes. I did not intend to run super fast but I wanted to push the pace during the 5k to get a bit of an adrenaline rush or something similar.

I have decided that 5ks are my least favorite distance. If one looked solely at the number of 5ks that I have run, that fact would contradict my last statement. However, the only reason that I have run so many of them is the over-availability of the 5ks compared to all the other distances. That’s not to say that I don’t like them; I am obsessed with racing, of course.

Mom and I started the day with 40 minutes before the race. We had enough time to run 50 or even 60 but Mom wanted to make sure that we got back to the start in time. We definitely did since the organizers started the race ten minutes late thanks to an over run on the opening ceremonies. I still do not like them any more than I did back in 2012.

While we waited we happened to be with a group of other NHCC “runners.” After all, the race honors Geoffrey Whitsett, a former member of NHCC.

We headed to the start line and waited for the race to start. We had to wait another three minutes. Again, this is not my favorite. It feels a little presumptuous on the part of the race organizers to assume that the runners have endless time to simply delay for no other reason than a lack of time management.

At 9:07 (official race start was 8:55) we were off. The pace felt fast right from the start but I loved it so we kept it up. Mom mentioned that the wait made her body feel like she needed to make a pit stop again. I hate the timing for her.

We passed the restrooms between the lake and the trail but Mom chose to keep going.

Mile 1: 8:01

A little after this Mom speculated out loud that she might not make it and I should run without her. Of course, I told her that I wanted to run with her but if she saw a restroom she should stop and use it. Unfortunately, although there were likely restrooms available to use in the many buildings that we passed, it would have been a gamble to head to one to find a restroom. I figured that she would probably need to use that one between the trail and the lack when we passed it on the way back.

Even with a significant couple hills, this mile was almost as fast as the first.

Mile 2: 8:05

I felt really strong and was ready to push the pace. We headed back around the lake for the final mile. Mom told me that she was going to stop at the restroom so I went on ahead. We had already started to push the pace so I tried to keep it up. My legs felt strong. I felt strong. We parted ways and I kept pushing. I thought I could likely get a sub 25 final time, well off my PR but for a 5k sandwiched into a long run, I’ll take it.

Then I finished and happened to see a 22 on my Garmin before I pushed save. That confused me so as soon as it finished uploading I opened the stats, 2.91. That’s short. I know that a GPS is subject to error but two whole tenths is not within the margin of error.

Mile 3: 7:32
Final time: 22:55

As soon as I finished I headed back around to get ready to take pictures of Mom. I was a little disappointed when Mom said that Ellis would not be coming with us today meaning no pictures. Turns out, we got some pictures!

Mom has a fabulous stride, so perfect!

We then headed out for a little more. Mom stopped when we got back to the car but I got in another 20 minutes after that. I felt so strong and so excited about could be to come with my upcoming races.

Normally I include a race recap but life has gotten in the way. Perhaps I will add a separate recap later.