Notes
This was the GCR Judicata Race at NCRP. The course was changed from years past due to a soccer tournament today at the park. I think the race was a little short (3.07) but damn it, every other race these guys put on is a little long. So this will get logged as a PR but it deserves an asterisk I think. I know i was in sub 20 shape anyways, but closer to 19:45. At my pace, covering .1 miles adds 38 seconds so sub-20 was a certainty. Best part of the race, Devin wins the women's race with a 20:45.
Arrived at 6:15, chatted with Tommy and CKC, registered Devin, got our #s and chip straightened out, deuce, did a 1.5 mile warm up with Devin, left her at the start, did another .5 including another deuce, chatted with Laurel found Devin then toed the line. Was eyeballing the masters competition, didn't see Blankenship or Browne, but I noticed a few old fast looking guys looking at me with fish eyes, so I fish eyed them back. Saw a few of the guys I had raced at Tropicool, A Goode for one and another guy I noted in the report for that race (M Morris I think). They started in front of me. Some dude decides to step right in front of me at the last minute. I knew he would just be road kill based on his appearance so why stand in front of me of all people? Gun goes off and I settle in around 20-25 just turning them over easy for the first few hundred. The pack opens up so I move to the center line and settle into my race pace. I remember throttling back unlike the last few 5ks I've done where I go out too fast, but I'm still picking people off, including the jerk who stood in front of me. I was tempted to say something to him as I passed him at about 2/3 of a mile, but I restrained myself. Gave him the death look instead. First U-turn, thumbs up to Maureen, start heading back, give a shout to Tommy and Laurel then I close on two masters. One of them was the guy in green short-shorts that was fish eyeing me. I figured I'd settle in with those two for a while, but the green short guy could not hang. Closed on the other guy and we chatted a bit. Ran by the start/finish and his daughter yelled "go daddy" so we chatted about our daughters a bit, I told him mine was racing. He fell off the pace at 1.5 and I passed one other young guy and I was running by myself entering the trail portion. Feeling really strong here and just kept turning them over. Two young guys were 30-40 yds ahead and I closed on them a bit and finally passed one just as I got to Maureen at the trail's end. The other I never caught. The guy I caught then passed me again and then slowed. He would do that two more times and he eventually passed me just before the line. Weird strategy by that kid. I finally glanced at my watch around 2.75 miles and I knew I was going under 20, last turn and the clock said 19:0-something with 50 yds to go or. Came in pumping my fist. Sub 20 for the first time since 2008, finally.
I was pretty sure I was first masters at this point. Couple of dry heaves and ran back to find Devin. She was approaching the final turn in first place, I followed her and cheered her on. Some kid kicked to pass her, she kicked back and they raced to the line passing another guy. We did our cool down, I was euphoric telling every one I knew that Devin won the race. She is amazing. The awards were fun, but I got 1st in AG again not overall masters. Devin got a big cheer as overall female winner. Got some breakfast at perkins and that was that.
I think I'm done racing for a while. My hip and foot have been bugging me of late, hip since Friday yassos and foot off and on since I ran two days in the new walmart specials two weeks back. I attribute my sub 20 effort to an easy 60 mile week, all except 19 of those miles were "wicked easy" with my normal sunday long run with the boys 8 days ago, a fast tempo wed. and yassos friday.
Stupid Human Story of the Day:
After crossing the line, I wave off the chip remover telling him I might puke. The chip removers were volunteers from some Collier County drug awareness/prevention group or something, so this guy may have been a deputy or PO. I bend over and dry heave a couple times and he keeps telling me to take it to the grass. Listen buddy, I'm not friggin' moving so stuff it. Then I tell him I'm done and he takes my chip off. What's the big deal where I puke for chrissake?