Race #130
5k #47
2017 Race #14
2017 5k #4
Red, White, and Blue Shoes 5k #7
I keep coming away from this race a bit disappointed. Given the weather and my prior training though, I have nothing to be disappointed in. Still, when my time at this race has gotten slower each year since my PR… There’s always next time.
Optimistically I planned to run around a 7 minute pace. I knew that was probably unrealistic but I still wanted to shoot for it. Obviously, I should try to be a bit more realistic. That quick early pace set up rather perfect positive splits.
When we arrived we jogged over to Paladin Stadium to pick up our bibs. That was a bit of a mess. Everyone there was supremely helpful though. Long story short, we got bibs. However, a little research after the race showed that I actually forgot to register us this year! The lady helping must have found last year’s information. I have already reached out to the race organizers and asked how I can pay for the registration. Hopefully I will be able to clear that up.
I got in the mile warm up by jogging up to the start line and then around the little loop in front of the Cherrydale Mansion. (I realized when I got home that I forgot to get in the mile cool down afterwards. Oops.)
We made our way to the start. I mentioned my goal pace to Mom. She told me to go ahead and run by myself.
A minute or so later and we were off, on time!
Since I had worked up fairly close to the starting line, I made my way through the congestion fairly quickly. Immediately I could feel the heat and humidity. This drains me more than just about anything else. I think it would be fantastic if they could move up the start time to at least 7:30 or 7:00. It is South Carolina in July, after all.
At some points during the first mile I was almost at my goal pace. A couple hills interfered and slowed my pace for the mile. I knew that the first mile would be my fastest of the race.
Mile 1: 7:23
The remaining two miles felt like they stretched out forever in front of me. I had no idea if I would be able to keep up this pace for the next two miles. *Spoiler alert: I did not.* I was already drenched in sweat and wishing for my water bottle. I never carry one on a 5k. I gave myself permission to slow to a walk and grab water at the water stop, also something I never do on a 5k.
The water reenergized me a little but that quickly faded. I kept telling myself, one more step, one more step. I could feel my pace dropping but I switched my Garmin over to the heart rate screen for the middle mile, yet another thing that I never do in a 5k.
Mile 2: 7:38
I could hardly wait for this last mile to be over. I had to go up the hill behind McCallister though. I hate that hill, especially in this race. It’s just steep enough to cut out all the momentum but not steep enough to make you feel like you’ve conquered anything.
My muscles tightened as I went up that hill. After I crested the top, I kept waiting for my muscles to release, feel the relief. It didn’t come. I told them to release but they wouldn’t. I ended up walking again, yet another thing that I never do in a 5k.
While that did the trick, it felt like a terrible slog to the end. I was determined to get it done though.
I managed to get up the hill right by the stadium and make the second to last turn. Everyone urges you to finish strong. Everything in you wants to sprint right there. This time, though? I did not feel like sprinting. I just wanted to be done.
I did increase my speed a little after I turned into the stadium and made it across that finish line which could not come soon enough.
Mile 3: 7:57
.05 nubbin 5:59
Overall: 23:13
Mom came in about a minute later at 24:40. Ironically, this is 9 seconds faster than last year where she placed in the Grand Masters Female but this year she barely snagged 5th place in her age groups. A lot of speedsters showed up this year!
While this may have been only of my most poorly executed 5ks, I am still pleased with my performance and the race overall.
Also…no race review today. I’ve run this race 6 times before. 🙂