Notes
This was a race we used to help produce, they opted to go with another vendor this year so I had a day off from work and an opportunity to support a nice event (and also scope out the competition). This was the first 5K I've run since becoming a race timer / event manager, and I definitely went into things with a different mindset than I did for my last 5K, over three years ago.
The setup was mostly the same as when we've helped produce the event, but there were some minor things that should have blipped a little harder on my radar. Like the fact that the course map posted online didn't match the course map they were showing at registration.
I talked with a few folks I knew before the race, and hoped to settle into something like 7:30/mi pace for the 5K. I haven't run fast in so long, I didn't know what I could handle and for how long I could hold it. Of course when the gun went off (I was at the front of the pack) I went out with the leaders and at the quarter mile mark was in ~8-9th place. I looked at my watch and saw 6:10/mi pace and knew that wasn't sustainable so I pulled off the gas just a hair. At the half mile mark I had settled into what felt comfortably hard and was just focusing on smooth strides to eat up pavement.
Prior to mile 1, I took a little sip of (ice cold! yikes!) water (styrofoam cups?!?) and passed a youngster to move into 5th place. The leader was already out of sight, and I was hoping that the course was well marked since I really hadn't looked at a map (as a race director, I hate people that do that... but whatever). The course was fairly well marked, but not what was advertised online. I didn't really care in the end, but it makes me wonder what kind of group was in charge if they had a number of different courses they were advertising. Lack of attention to detail like that isn't cool.
Just before mile 2, I skipped the water station and used the opportunity to settle into 4th place. I could hear one or two somebody's behind me for the duration of the trail portion, but didn't turn around to see how close they were. I was just running and focusing on smooth strides.
We came up off the riverfront trail and I could still hear someone right behind me. As we came to the second to last turn (within probably 400 meters of the finish) I could hear his effort level increase a ton and I knew he had me. With one turn to go, he went ahead. I pressed the pedal to the metal to see what would happen, and my body told me that in exchange for a little speed (not enough to catch him) I would pay for it with projectile vomit at or prior to the finish line. I opted for a "clean" finish. I didn't hear anyone else behind me so I kept the smooth strong strides to the finish.
They had the display clock facing away from the finishing runners, I guess to capture the clock in pictures? But whatever... I crossed the line and stopped my watch. I looked down to see 20:02. WHOA! For a 5K? The immediate reaction was disappointment at missing sub-20 by 3 seconds, and then pride at a 4 second PR with no speedwork in over a year. And then I realized we'd only run 3 miles. :) I confirmed with a good 6-7 people after who all had somewhere between 2.97 and 3.02 on their watches. As a director and manager, I know GPS watches aren't perfect. But on that course, they're also not off by a tenth. Plus, I've managed and measured that course before and know it was short. So... now I'm that guy. Anyway... I don't say anything to the event director about it because it wasn't her fault and I want her day to be a good one. If someone else is going to bring up the short course to her, that's fine. but I'm not going to be the one.
Got home to check my results online... I'm completely missing. I registered that morning, but I'm nowhere to be found. Not even a "unknown runner #3718" or whatever number I was. Completely missing.
PROS: I ran really well for not racing a short distance in over 3 years, and look forward to doing it again sometime soon.
CONS: The new timer/manager that the charity hired was not up to expectations for me. Multiple (incorrect) course maps online, short course, missing results, no display clock for runners to view, no response to emails asking about the situation.
Alright, I'm done bitching. I ran well, and that's really all that matters when you race. Right? Right. Now I have a shiny new 3 mile PR. Ha!