Came up just a little short of my top goal for this race of going under 21:00 but overall I can't feel too bad about a 1st place (GOLD MEDAL BABY) age group award and a 6th place overall in the "B" division (about 160 runners).
About 20 minutes before the race I jogged a mile and ran a couple of fast 200 meter strides at about 6:30 pace to warm up. As expected, the course was just like last year with the whole hairpin garbage can turn (it was a tall orange cone this year) and running on and off the sidewalk throught the dirt and shrubs as you manuver your way through lots of oncoming runners. As I got to the hairpin turn about 3 guys in front of me practically stopped going around the turn and at a 6:15/mile pace they come up pretty fast. I almost crashed into them but I was able to bust it hard around those few guys and was quite glad to have that obstacle out of the way. The first mile came in at 6:16 which is a bit fast for me but I guess it's to be expected with all the adrenaline and race day excitement. The next two miles were a real struggle contending with oxygen debt and a slight headwind for part of the two lap course. Miles two and three were slower but they were pretty consistent at 6:41 and 6:45. I finished off the last quarter mile.......yes you heard me "quarter mile" at a 6:15/mile pace with a decent kick to the finish. I looked down at my watch at 3.1 miles and noted that I was at 20:20. So my goal of running a 5K in under 20 minutes is oh so close. If I can stay healty, I might be able to make it there this year.
I don't know why these guys can't get the course distance right, it's 3.26 for each of the 4 times I have run it, say what you will about GPS but that seems pretty consistent to me. Mister "I measured this course myself" can just BITE ME!
I had plans to run a few extra miles today but decided to bag it and just enjoy some time off. HAPPY GOAL - MET! | 