Notes
Temp 75 Wind 8 mph. Humidity 79% Dew Point 70°
Normally, you would say warm and humid, because technically it is, but after the hell we have been through the last few weeks, this is sweet. Of the 651 signed up, 463 are on the starting line. This may be the largest 5K ever in this area. I’m third row in the front block which is for sub-21s. This course is brutal, and can turn a 19 or 20 runner into a 21 real easy.
Simple as it gets. Collegiate runners, high school runners, American AG record holder, folks that are fast in general. I’ll line up to the right, let everyone bust out, make a wide turn, and float my way up the pack for the first half mile.
Start with a 3:05 which is fine. Start the climb on Perryville that turns to Bertling, then straight down the steep hill to finish the first mile. 3:11 second half for a 6:16. Things were pretty much shook by the crest of the hill. There is a fast pack, medium grouping, then mine. Joe W., Andy J., and several high schoolers.
Ran a 6:26 second mile split the last time I raced this course. Not today. Hold solid with a 6:08. Took out a few high schoolers, actually passed JW and AJ (who are running together) once. They got back by me on incline between 1.60 and 1.70. Flip-flopped positions with a couple more of the HS kids also.
Left on Lexington just past 2.30 mark. Group of four HS kids come back to JW, AJ, and then to me. They move ahead of all four. I go by Brandon B. Hit the top of the hill. One HS kid pulls off and starts to throw up. Slowed to 3:24 on half-mile spit. Could have been stronger. Tugging on next runner and wanting to hit it after crossing Cape Rock Rd. Forget how steep the downhill is and get out of stride and have to slow. Lose him for good. Left back into park at 2.88 miles. BB blast by. He’s got something left today. Finish off my next half mile split with a 3:09 for 6:33 third mile split. So-so, but last time got beat into a 7:00 flat.
Kick is there again. 0:37 (5:40) to the finish line. Chip time 19:34. Course PR by 0:49 seconds. Not sure yet of OA placing. Maybe somewhere between 15-20? (Results posted -- 16th) 2nd in AG to Stuart Calderwood (18:46) who is in from New York City. Calderwood is a Senior Editor at the NYRR and holds American track records at 25,000 meters and 30,000 meters in the 50-54 age-group. He also won the bronze medal at the World Masters Championships Marathon in 2003 (45-49 age group) and was second in the USA Masters Championships Half-Marathon in 2008 (50-54 age group). Not to mention he has logged over 9,000 consecutive days of running since January 21, 1987. I’ve not been “geezered” in over two years, but I think I can live with this one.
CBEM teammate Hammer nails his sub-18 goal with a 17:51. One of his best efforts.
So good to feel “normal” again. There are holes in my 5K racing, but they are fixable and there is as big of a base to fix them on as I have ever had. Hills need work, lactic tolerance needs work. Old legs will still go. Flat, cooler, primed…sub 18 is still a goal.
Shannon and Amy pull off an amazing event that will culminate with the Rick Springfield concert tonight. Great to see the community and friends from far and wide come through and support these two fine individuals.