OK, it was time to attempt my first short-distance race in more than a year. I've really hesitated to try going at nearly full-speed because the pressure it puts on the leg, but I've been pain-free this week pushing the speed close to 7:00 pace, so it was time to put aside the fear and go do it. I found a nice 5-mile race that is half pavement on the JRP and half dirt with some single-track. Nice. I went there early and ran the course in the dark, hard to follow, couldn't see the markings but did most of it. After registering I went and ran the winding single-trace section again and it was marked nicely. As I was coming back, I saw some lady with a dog vandalizing the course markings and looking around to see if anyone noticed. Could not believe it! I just about confronted her, but she left half of the markings in that section so it would be OK. I told the race director and he said someone had also removed markings yesterday. So, I had a nice 10-mile warm-up. Several people recognized me at the start and were so kind including a runner and their crew from my Pony Express race. The timer also knew who I was. I can't hide anywhere! Off, we went. During the first mile, I settled in 5th place out of about 50 runners and that is where I stayed the entire time. I decided to push it pretty hard, about 90%, but not red-line at all. It was nice to be running fast again for the first time in more than 10 months. Mile one on dirt and pavement was 7:02. Nice. During mile 2, I passed the guy in front of me. I guess that ticked him off because he sped up right after I passed and as he ran by me, said, "You cut me off!" Wow. So, I just stayed away from road-rage dude, backed off with no desire to pass him again. I see that he is a triathalon guy....kind of explains it. Road rage dude did a nice job eventually catching a guy in front of us to finish in third. My mile 2 was 7:31, all JRP pavement. We made a turnaround at a trailhead and then went off on some sweet single track. Great fun. I closed on the guys ahead. Mile 3 was 7:51. Very winding bike single track for the next mile, 8:17. With about 100 yards to go, I came within ten feet of the guy ahead, going at 7:00 pace. He woke up and pushed it harder. I had no desire to compete, happy to let him get his place he was in for most the race. I finished in 36:56 in 5th place. I had hoped to finish in under 40:00 for my first short race in a year, so I was pleased. With a true effort I know I could have finished in under 35. Good progress. At the finish, I didn't stop, I continued on a ran the 5K course to cool down. It was a nice morning.
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