The Next Step

Nice job on this race, Jim.

I think that your splits for miles 2-4 show that you were not affected much by your fast first mile. Perhaps if you ran a 6:20 first mile, you could have kept right at 6:30 for miles 2-4 but you would have ended up with the same result. I think the goal is just to try to slow down as little as possible in the middle and you did that quite well in this race, especially by picking it up in mile 4. What's your plan for the Jingle Bell 5K?

I agree with Michelle. Do not think "I went out too fast and blew my race". Rather, "If I could go out that fast while knowing I was running that far, then maybe I have a potential to run the whole distance like that if only I could unlock it".

In 2004 DesNews marathon I decided to take advantage of the early downhill and try to run away from the Kenyans knowing that I would not have a chance on less steep portions. They did not catch me until 9.5. I still finished decent, although I did pay for my fast start somewhat. It was interesting to here the evaluation of what happened from different people afterwards. The Americans were telling me I would have run better had I gone out slower. Mike Korir, one of the Kenyans I raced, said - "you were running so well, what happened?" Those were two different perspectives. The former was essentially calling me a loser that dared to poke his head in a place he did not belong. The latter was stating I had a potential and a right to get the stars that has not yet been realized.

So in the same spirit, here is what I have to say about your 6:03 mile - you were running so well, what happened?

Sasha, Michelle,

Thanks for the feedback. You all have caused me to reevaluate my thoughts on the race. I think you are right about the early pace. It was probably more mental then physical. I didn't feel like I had to slow down I just thought the pace was too fast so I slowed down. Plus I didn't crash off of the pace since I was actually able to pick up the pace the last 1.5 miles. So for my next race I am going to trust how I feel more and see if I can hold the pace longer. I am still learning how to run these shorter races since I have not done many of them. Thanks again for the advice.

Anytime that you race your first mile should be about 10 percent faster than what you want your average pace to be. You shouldn't always run for broke, but you shouldn't take it easy either, it is a tough strategy to figure out.

The more experienced you get the easier it is to not let yourself wuss out quite so fast, but you will always struggle with it, everyone does. Because anytime you run hard it will hurt. Good job though, turkey runs are fun.