I sure hate 5Ks. In fact I dispise them. Did I mention I hate 5Ks? They make me feel old and slow. But they build character, so I still do one or two a year just to keep myself humble. I did a 4-day training program to get ready for this race, but it looks like I should have stepped it up and done a 5-day training program.
Worst case this morning, ice-smog. My lungs are always a limiting factor for this race and distance. I warmed up inside in the clean air, on the treadmill and then went out to Saltair. Ran another mile and felt fine.
This course is flat as can be. So flat that it makes it very challenging for me. I started off fine, keeping the breathing under control and clocked a 6:10 for the first mile. I had forgotten my Garmin, shoot, that would have helped push me. Mile 2 was the problem. I lost focus and even was thinking about Rocky Raccoon 100 next Saturday. Mile 2 was 6:40, 20 seconds slower than it should have been. I noticed an old guy that passed me around the half way point, running strong. I tried to keep him close and planned to reel him in, but it never happened.
Mile 3 was 6:37 and a big struggle, but I kept on pushing, still with a hope to break 20, but I knew it would be close. I finished in 20:07. Some dude took a page out of my own book and sneaked up on me, sprinting past me with about 5 yards to go. I believe he was my age group winner. Hats off to him, dang.
Well, it was a course PR for me and just 16 seconds off my 5K PR. I did get second place in my age group, losing it by one second. So not really bad. It was also the Utah Stake 5K championship for RRCA, and I think I got 4th for Grand Masters, but it left me angry at myself and determined. A perfect attitude going into Rocky Raccoon this week. My focus there is to get top-3 for ages 50+ which they give awards for.
Right after I finished, I had terrible pain in the jaw from my extracted wisdom tooth 12 days ago. It was so bad it made me dizzy. After resting in the car for five minutes, the pain calmed down. Wow. Sure hope this heals up more this week.
Did I mention I hate 5Ks? |