1.0 mile @ 10:03
2.0 mile @ 22:17 (11:09/mi)
3.1 mile @ 35:04 (11:19/mi)
On a lark I went out to the City Center of Newport News, Virginia and ran the 7th Annual Junior League of Hampton Roads 5K this morning. The area was beautiful and the race seemed well organized. Many people like myself registered this morning and I was happy to take bib #190.
Walked and jogged a bit before finding the start line. Lots and lots of serious runners in the crowd. Made me feel a bit trollish to have my slowness in such a fast looking group. No shame in being in the back of the pack though. Someone has to be there.
The first mile was WAY too fast. I have no business running anything close to a 10:00 pace if I am going the distance. If it had been a long downhill perhaps but since this was a flat course I was not being helped by gravity. Even running too fast I was at the far end of the pack by the first mile mark. I must say though, it is a remarkably enjoyable site to see a long line of folks outfitted in bright running gear trodding along together in the bright morning sun. You probably don't get to take in that site when you are running up front.
My second mile was where I needed it to be but the nagging side stitch showed up again. I applied all my old tricks of deep breathing, stretching, etc. and couldn't shake it. So when I hit the 2 mile mark I stopped and walked past the water table just focusing on letting everything settle down. I estimate that I had to walk about 0.2 mile. Picking up my stride from there it was amazing how relaxed I felt.
The last 1.1 mile was probably at my usual 11:30ish pace or perhaps slower. A nice young woman that stood about 6' tall came along and I used her to maintain my pacing. I felt bad when about 0.25 from the finish I kicked into high gear for the finish. It's not as though you are trying to best them at that point but ... ya know? Anyhow I got my pace up to about 9:30/mi as I crossed the line. It was all I had in that short distance and I quickly found a nice planting behind the edge of a building in case my feeling of nausea turned into something more serious.
After I had gained my breath I stood at the finish line and applauded some of the later finishers. I think that is the best part really, getting to see people crossing the line with "I did the whole thing!" or shouts of "We did it!" Makes you remember that not every run has to be a race against something. Instead some races are FOR something.
Did another lap through the area to enjoy the morning followed by some long stretches before climbing back in the car.
Location: Newport News, Va
Asics Gel 1120 - 294.51
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