Notes
Fathers Day 5k - Portland - Some obvious anticipation before the race but no nerves. I knew going into the race that I've never had such a consistent 6 weeks of running, Never ran that many miles in that period of time. And never ran so consistent as my 6x800 workout last week. There was no doubt that I would beat my PR of 22:06 set at the MCS race on 5.5.12, and I knew I would go under 22 (one of my original goals). It was just a matter of how far under 22 I would go. At times this weekend I found myself thinking about sub 21 but based on feedback from my post a while ago I realized I could worry about my exact time. That would be a work in progress. On Sunday morning my legs felt heavy and tired. I rode to the race with Lance and Greg C and we talk alot but not about specific times which kept me from focusing on a specific goal. I told myself I'd just run and that the result would be a step in the right direction. Before the race I opted not to warm up with Lance, Greg, and Doug and go it alone. As I ran easy, did strides, high knees, and the other stuff my legs felt dead. I knew I had more miles on my body than ever before but I had no pain in my foot, achilles, or knee. Just dead legs. And it scared the shit of me. The first part of the race downhill didn't seem superfast but I knew I was running at my measuring stick pace of about a 7 mm. I slowed up intentionally during the 2nd half mile of the First Mile and came through at 6:57 clock time (not knowing my chip time was 6:47). My legs still felt dead and it felt like Ground Hogs Day again. Would I die on the last 1.1 like I always do? As I came through at mile 2 the clock read 13:57. Still on pace but still felt slow and wondered if I had anything left. As I crossed the bridge before the final right turn I knew I was running faster than I ever had at the end of a 5k and hoped I could keep the pace to the finish. Heading toward the back end of the stadium I just wanted to hold pace, and not get passed. I pulled onto Hadlock field and heard my name by the announcer. It occurred to me that a) the guy called me Steve but my bib said Stephen (which seems weird that I noticed and because I don’t care) AND b) I knew I had to push because I was going to be under 21:30 which was the prescription for today’s race. The clock read 21:27 as I passed and it seemed like I did it. But I was tired. In discussions with the guys after I realized I may not have run all the way through and a sudden dread came over me. Regardless of what I ran the official clock is the official clock and it pissed me off I could be so stupid. I know better. I have been told/warned before. The 2nd problem I had was that my legs felt dead and regardless of the time I knew I could do better. I wanted today to be the day I crushed it and felt like a million dollars. If only running worked that way. Rode home with the guys, talked some more, and the guys were great in their observation of the fact I shattered my PR in a 5k and killed the original goal. I need to remind myself of these things. Quick shower, quick G2, and a snack, then church. When I read my time this afternoon it really sank in and huge smile came over my face. 21:18 clock time. I shattered my 22:06, crushed my sub 22 goals, and feel pretty damn happy today. Lots more work to do but that felt good. 105 days to the Maine Marathon.