Some may know that since the beginning of this year, for the first time I have dealt with injuries and self-doubt.

I had planned to enter a 5K race in May and a 10K race in June in preparation for a goal 10K race in July.  Thanks to a newspaper coupon code,   I entered this race for half price - $15.

The Stache Dash started at 9am in Buckhead section of Atlanta at the Tin Lizzies cantina.  It's about a 45 minute drive from my house in the 'burbs.  Since the later than normal start for a 5K that I'm accustomed, I decided an approach earlier in the week that others in this forum have taken.

I arrived early and ran an easy 3 plus miles warm up prior to the race.  Again so I would have already broken a sweat by start time.

Most of the runners were between 25 and 35, male and female, in a festive mood for Cinco de Mayo.  No bib timing, Just a dude at the start who shouted, "Go!".  As soon as "Go" announced, I started my watch.  Almost for the entire first mile , we ran uphill on Piedmont Road.

At the first mile marker, I glanced at my watch which displayed 8:47.    About this time, I had my sights on two runners ahead as my "pacers".

One, a guy who looked about 60 who looked real fit and had runners legs.  The  other was a young woman who looked about 35.  They were both about 10 yards ahead of me.  I vowed to stay in reach of them throughout the race.

A good portion of the second mile involved running though a neighborhood Buckhead Forest off  Peachtree Road (there are 71 streets in Atlanta with a variant of Peachtree in their name).  It was a U -shaped route through the neighborhood going downhill and then uphill. Once we were back on Peachtree Road at the 2 mile marker, I glanced at my watch which displayed 18:something.  At that point, I was thinking about the goal which I had entered on Damaris' May races posting - sub 28:00 .  It may not be attainable.

Fortunately, when we turned off Peachtree Rd, the next street Roswell Road was primarily downhill.  I still had my two pacers in sight.  I could never gain on them, but I never lost sight of them in this section of the race.  I kept my 55 year old legs churning (well, churning for me).

During this mile, I remembered my promise to pray for someone.  Also at this point during the race, no one was passing me which felt good no matter what time I recorded.  Soon, we made the right hand turn on Habersham Rd (?).  And the finish line was in sight.

As I crossed the finish line, I stopped my watch.  It displayed 26:43.  Not a PR but the best 5K racing time for me since May 2013.

Immediately, I looked for  either of the two "pacers".  I could not find them.  So I picked up my race T-shirt  and complimentary pass for free 24 ounce Corona draft beer or Margarita.  Well, due to some allergy issues, only a non-alcoholic beer would have sufficed.   So, I found two young dudes who were already quaffing a cold one at 9:35 am.  I offered my drink pass to one of them.  I'm sure the dude has had a good time there today.

As I was turning around and walking away, I caught sight of the 60 year old "pacer".    Immediately, I thanked him for pacing me to my best time in a year running a 5K.  Never did find the young woman to thank.

What did I learn today?  First, for a 5K race, my body can handle a warm-up equivalent to the race distance and it helped.  Secondly,  identifying a "pacer" helps me to maintain my intensity throughout the race.

Going forward, my running confidence has been restored and I look forward to the next two months in preparation for my goal 10K race.

Thanks for reading.

Rich

.

Great job! Congrats on running a good race and blowing past 28:00 and getting a sub-27:00!

Nice race, Bo.

Interesting about the long warmup, glad it worked well for you.

Rich, glad you got your confidence back and congrats on your fastest 5K in a year, sounds like you are back!  Dang, that sounds like one awfully hilly course for just a 3-mile event!  You came, you saw, you conquered!  Way to go!

Congratulations! I'm very happy for you. 

Nice job, Rich!  You hit that goal with a lot to spare.

I always give away my beer coupons (non-drinker here).  I'd rather someone enjoy it than me throw the coupon out.  Speaking of coupons, you still get a newspaper?

$15 entry and hitting your goal...congrats!