I was asked to bring the clock to a local 5k this past Sunday. I think I have timed about 14 events this year. But this event was different. They only wanted the clock. They were going to handle the timing.
So I thought, why not, I’ll go ahead and race this 5k. These races are not my favorite and in fact, I have not raced a 5k since March 2009 (I looked it up). That race was on the trace and I got a PR – 19:09. In fact, I have a great average for PR’s – it is way up there at 90 – 95%. I can only think of 2 races that I have not PR’d in the past 5 years – one was a half marathon and the other was a full marathon (I’m throwing Boston out of this summary because I was hurt, factored collar bone and well, it is Boston). So I have a good batting average. It is only because I do not race often. Since that last 5k I have raced about 10 half marathons, a 25k, a 30k and a full marathon – plus 20ish triathlons including a full ironman.
But I usually get a PR. So I decided to do this 5k on a whim. And guess what? No PR. I missed it by 10 seconds. I was a little deflated but I can chock it up to a couple of reasons. These are not excuses – I did not get a PR – but they are reasons. I do believe that I am a faster runner.
- I went out too f’ing fast (sub-6) and faded hard
- ZERO taper. I ran 9 miles the previous day
- PLUS started marathon training this week (bunch of miles)
- Still recovering from Cheaha bike riding (read more)
- HOT for November – it was 30 degrees earlier in the week
- Hilly (compared to my PR race on the trace)
- 21 turns – damn tangents
21 turns, count’m
I won my age group (bunch of gift cards and a candle!!!). I had a good race.
This race has got me back into the racing mood. Bring on the halfs!
