Notes
The race doubled in size from last year so it turned out to a be pretty big field for a Fort Collins 5K. Freaking cold at the start. Raced in shorts, shortsleeve, hat and gloves. By about 1/4 mile into the race there was a pack of us at the front so I moved my way to first cause I like to lead. (That's right I'm a front runner, I'm not as tough as Billy Mills). By the 1/2 mile mark I could really feel the cold and my legs felt like blocks. Not a good feeling this early in the race. As we neared the mile marker I felt like I was going out hard like 5-5:05 pace and I could feel the pack on me. I heard someone behind me ask the pace someone guessed 4:59 another said 5:15 and we ended up going through the mile at 5:11. I was disappointed with the split so I figured it was time to break contact with the pack so I threw down a surge... for upwards of 20 meters long. Not what I was hoping for, I had no spring in my legs. Then Steve (my buddy) came by me at a 1.25 miles as we were going around the block he started moving on every corner and by 1.75 miles he had broken me mentally and gapped me by 70 meters. I conceded that it wasn't my day (I was even thinking about getting a shirt saying that) and figured 2nd was fine. Then 2 other guys worked their way past me and by 2 miles at (10:22) I was sitting in 4th place. I was no longer ok with getting 4th. I saw Steve pass 2 miles about 10 seconds up. So there we were a group of us 10 seconds apart heading in. I thought that why not go for first. The only reason not to was I was scared, not sure scared of what, maybe dying out there but it is only a 5K right. So I picked it up and started moving up and caught 3rd, then 2nd then passed Steve at 2.5 miles. He immediatly gave up and it was just me and the guy who was in second battling it out. We were side by side and the last 400 meters I decided that I don't lose races in the end. So I out kicked the other guy and won by 2 seconds (he won last year so I feel pretty good about that). The top 4 places ended up being about 15 seconds apart. One of the closer 5K's I've been in. The time was slower than I wanted but I was estatic about the race. I was glad to give up and then come back. Too often the old mark would have given up and taken 4th or maybe even 5th. I like this new racer. It makes it tougher during races but I'm in a great mood now. Can't wait for the Green Beer tonight or actually Bushmills.