Notes
Canes 5k with Kaitlyn. Race started at the PNC arena and started later in the morning at like 9:30, just in time for the humidity to really kick up. I was planning on racing the Myrtle Beach duathlon, but it was cancelled because of Hurricane Dorian. SO I decided on this 5k instead. A couple younger guys who ran for NC state were there. Started off in the top 5, first mile with a nice long downhill around the arena. Then slight uphill and around the start line where mile 1 is. Felt okay and just tried to get myself into a rhythm. The course then went out onto a road with "Hockey Heartbreak Hill", it was probably a .74mile-long uphill section. Not much fun, but I could tell the tall guy with long hair in front of we was fading so I put a little surge about halfway up the hill and dropped him. Then I started working on the 3rd place guy. I thought the course was going to loop around some cones and head back down the hill on the other side so I was banking on some descent, but of course it instead turned left. There was a short downhill, back uphill, then a moderate downhill for a while. The whole time I had my sights on 3rd place and really did close some distance on him. I cant accurately remember, but I was probably 15-20 seconds behind him. There was another uphill and R turn heading back to the arena. I glanced at my watch, the first time in the race, and saw 2.85 mi which was a delight to see. Again I tried to turn it up and finish strong, but ti wasn't enough. Ended up 4th/2000+ runners, a tad under 17:00, 1 place out of the big prizes, but won a trophy for winning my age group.
I am moderately pleased with my race, but still looking for some faster times. I know I should be faster than this, but not sure why I'm hitting closer to 17's. Heat and humidity may certainly be playing a part, working a lot, not enough sleep. Training is decent, but not stellar. Workouts have whittled down to about 1/week. So I really have no excuses, I just need to really decide what my priorities are going forward. I think it will get easier once wedding planning is finished and summer is over; less incentive to go out. But hey, any racing is good racing. It was a strong effort and at least served as some type of speed work.