Fitger's 5K (Read 535 times)

So I ran the Fitger’s 5K (Duluth, MN) yesterday, I think it was my 5th overall 5K, but my first with any sort of training behind it (at least dedicated running training not other sports) and first in 4 years. My goal which I thought was reasonable was 24:00, with the last one 4 years ago being 26:54. The race started about 6 blocks from my door, which is always nice to have no driving hassle. It was a drizzly morning at about 40°F. I got down to the start/finish area about a half hour before the 9am start. About 2 miles and 23 minutes later, I tore off the sweats and found my brother (who surprised me by calling up and saying he would run race too, even though he had no training, as a stress release for studying for dentistry finals and upcoming boards and of course 3 kids 5 or under). I decided to run with my bro for about half a mile and then go. A couple minutes later we were off. Immediately I knew we started too far back (1249 finishing walkers and runners), especially when I found out that less of the roadway was being used than I thought. We gradually worked around a few people at 9-9:30 pace and at the top of a small hill I said goodbye, using the downhill to speed up to my goal pace. End of mile 1, although being chip timed they just had a volunteer calling out times (maybe because of the light rain?), not sure exactly where the marker was but the watch put it at 8:45 to 8:50. Mile 2 was spent ducking and dodging through people, incredibly taxing and made me push a little too hard 16:05-16:10 at the split. Held it together pretty well at my original goal pace for the last 1.1, definitely could have kicked if I wanted it but I would have had to weave some more so I said no thanks. Chip and watch time 24:45. Great confidence boost at the halfway point of my marathon training (9 weeks down, 9 to go). Confirms what my body told me, my training runs are at a reasonable pace. And of course putting that into the all important running calculators puts me near my goal marathon pace The best parts of the day though: my brother came in under his 30 min goal with a respectable 28:50 (had to be the nice pacing at the beginning of the race right?), my quarter sized blister on my right arch didn’t pop (from a mostly non-running related injury), and spending some time with the nephews .

Thanks! Very easy course starting on Superior St. at Fitger's (great variety of microbrews), up and over I-35 into canal park and down to the DECC, then back to Pickwick. Basically parts of the last few miles of Grandma's. http://www.grandmasmarathon.com/pdf/fitgers_5k_map.pdf Indeed I am running Grandma's. I can't imagine a better course for a marathon (not that I know a lot of courses). I'm planning to drive up to Two Harbors area next weekend and do my long run out and back from the Grandma's start. You running again this year? (I've been in the Grandma's User Group) We've had a rash of bad weekend weather. Yesterday was about 40 and drizzling. Great for the race, but horrible for having fun with 3 kids outdoors afterwards. Last weekend, a foot of snow and a number of power outages. Two weekends ago, thunder snow. During the week for training, I couldn't ask for anything better mid-40s to mid-50s, mostly sunny and a light breeze. MTA: Lake Superior during the snow last weekend

Good job on the Fitger's run Matt. I ran it as well and did suprisingly well. I was aiming for 7:30 mile pace and ended up with a 7:27 pace so I was happy with that. A friend of mine ran it as well and she broke the 10 minute mile pace which is what she was shooting for. I'm glad the rain went away before the race actually started...but the temperature was about perfect for me. I started about 12 people back from the front and in the center and had my fair share of dancing around others. I am only running the Bjorklund Half Marathon but it's my first half and eventually want to run the full. Do plan to run any other local races before Grandma's? May 3rd is a 5k and 10k race starting at Lake Superior College called the Thrill on the Hill. The 10k is a half road, half trail race going into the Piedmont Ski Trails. Definitely a fun and challenging run but make sure you wear some old shoes because the trails aren't dried up so you will get a little muddy.

Good job on the Fitger's run Matt. I ran it as well and did suprisingly well. I was aiming for 7:30 mile pace and ended up with a 7:27 pace so I was happy with that. Do plan to run any other local races before Grandma's? May 3rd is a 5k and 10k race starting at Lake Superior College called the Thrill on the Hill. The 10k is a half road, half trail race going into the Piedmont Ski Trails. Definitely a fun and challenging run but make sure you wear some old shoes because the trails aren't dried up so you will get a little muddy.

Great job Mike! Right now I am looking at either a 4-miler or half marathon in Proctor on May 17th or a 15K put on by duluth running on May 11th. Although that looks like Mother's Day, so that probably won't work. Even with my kind of entry fee of $1. Have you found http://www.northlandrunner.com/run. Pretty much all the races in the area I think. I also really want to run the Two Towns 10 Trillion Nanometer Run on July 4th. Nothing like running on the nano-scale for a dork like me. Plus it is near my Grandpa's cabin, which is where I will likely be for the holiday.