Decided to run this race on Thursday. This is the last time they are going to run this race after 30 years - it's a shame. Not only that, but the weather was predicted to be in high 50's - low - 60's with very little humidity. Probably the best conditions that I have seen for this race. It's usually 70's and 80% humidity.
I had very low expectations for this race - looking at the pace calculators I figured it would take a miracle to run below an 18:20. Coming off a marathon 2 weeks ago my legs still didn't feel fully recovered as late as Wednesday this week. That and the lack or proper marathon training and zero work below threshold pace - I wasn't expecting much. In fact, I just didn't want to look too bad and was hoping for at least sub 19.
I got there early so I could register and then went off for an easy mile. I wanted to scope out the finish again to see how long it took to get to the finish after turning the final corner. It seemed far. :-)
I met another runner and we went off for another easy two miles - this time on the course - the first mile is an ever so gradual incline and then shortly after the first mile there is a right turn into a neighborhood and that is the last any hill - there rest is flat an a every so slight down on the last mile.
I saw Sam at the start and he was going to try to break 18:00. I figured I couldn't hang but decided to try to keep him in my sights and see how I felt.
The gun goes off and I am running 5:40 after a short while and it doesn't feel that bad. I see Sam about 40 feet ahead and decide to trail him. My watch goes off a bit before the mile marker and shows 5:45. Not bad. But not sure what's off - my watch or the marker.
It's getting harder, of course, but I make it to mile 2 - again the watch goes off a bit early - and shows 5:51.
Now I am thinking I can actually run a pretty good time if I can hold things together. Honestly, after running seeing 26 mile markers 2 weeks ago the thought of mile seeeing 3 and then finishishing makes the pain more berable.
At this point I don't know what my pace is but I am holding on to the guy in front, slowly gaining ground. But I can't catch him. Sam is about 50-75 feet in front - I can see him but no way I can catch him.
The last turn is into a shopping parking lot - lots of trees and you can't see the finish until a final curve. But I glimpse it and hang on while trying to push.
I hit stop on my watch but don't see until later that it didn't take. So I don't know what my time is. Sam says he ran 18:13 and it seemed like I was right behind - maybe 7-10 seconds.
Well, the timing system has issues and a lot of runners are not even in the results. My bib # in the system shows 18:25 and I am a bit dissapointed as I thought I got under 18:20. I think this course ran a bit long and over heard the timing guys at the start saying it's wasn't certified. Sure wish I would have hit stop on my watch.
My watch shows the last mile at 5:57 so I slowed down at the end. Hey, without training for a 5k I managed a pretty good time, only 20 seconds off my PR when I was in top shape. Makes me wonder why I am not training and running 5ks which seem to be my strength, and instead doing these marathons for which my body is not really meant for. I see no reason I couldn't get into 17:50's with the proper training. Could be a good fall plan if I dont' get into St. George. ;-)
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