How many years have I been running? Like 19!
I run every morning. It varies between 5-6 miles. I know how my mile pace. I know how to challenge myself. But even so, I've never entered a real race, like where you get a timing chip and a bib number and run. I've always been "afraid"... I have such a screwy, competitive mentality that I have been afraid I would push myself too hard just to stay with the pack, or hurt myself trying to win, or beat myself up if I don't! Well that all changed this weekend. I entered the "Fastest 5K in the Midwest", the Lou Cox in downtown Dayton. I mostly did it because I knew the path well, and it was flat, and it was Memorial Day weekend and seemed like the "thing to do".
It is called the "Fastest 5K in the Midwest" for a reason... the people are FAST!!!! I mean, I felt like a dope walking around Welcome Stadium. All these supremely built men and women stretching and warming up and decked out in the most high tech running gear... all for a 5K? I felt like I was getting ready for the race of the century or something! I mean, I never even stretch! HA!
On the encouraging of a lady I don't know, I got up front to start the race. It was a big crowd of 732 and they did not stagger the runners, so we all took off at the same time. It was 81 degrees at race time and we had an "air quality advisory" plus I was stuck in this huge pack of people! All I could do was look down at the ground and put my hands on my hips (elbows way out) as to keep people from getting too close. Claustrophobic!!!
The race started and holy crap I should NOT have been in front! I typically run a 7:30 pace and these people were way faster than that! At mile 1 I was just under 7 minutes so I knew I was in trouble...TOO FAST! Mile 2 killed me!!!! I made the halfway turn at minute 9 and actually thought I was going to complete the race in 18 minutes... HA! I ended up finishing at 22:36, a 7:17 pace. I was 7th in my age group... the first of the people ages 35-39 to be in the "7" minute pace per mile. (see! they were all so fast!) I REALLY wanted to place 5th or above. In another race I'm sure I would have. Not the Lou Cox, man.
Max and Chris were cheering me on in the stadium as I entered for the final lap. Overall I was happy I did the race. My body was not though. Tried to do my usual 5 or 6 this morning and had to stop at 4. Pushed too hard yesterday. I have another race (a trail race... yikes) coming up on the 12th. I'm taking that one leisurely! ;)
I run every morning. It varies between 5-6 miles. I know how my mile pace. I know how to challenge myself. But even so, I've never entered a real race, like where you get a timing chip and a bib number and run. I've always been "afraid"... I have such a screwy, competitive mentality that I have been afraid I would push myself too hard just to stay with the pack, or hurt myself trying to win, or beat myself up if I don't! Well that all changed this weekend. I entered the "Fastest 5K in the Midwest", the Lou Cox in downtown Dayton. I mostly did it because I knew the path well, and it was flat, and it was Memorial Day weekend and seemed like the "thing to do".
It is called the "Fastest 5K in the Midwest" for a reason... the people are FAST!!!! I mean, I felt like a dope walking around Welcome Stadium. All these supremely built men and women stretching and warming up and decked out in the most high tech running gear... all for a 5K? I felt like I was getting ready for the race of the century or something! I mean, I never even stretch! HA!
On the encouraging of a lady I don't know, I got up front to start the race. It was a big crowd of 732 and they did not stagger the runners, so we all took off at the same time. It was 81 degrees at race time and we had an "air quality advisory" plus I was stuck in this huge pack of people! All I could do was look down at the ground and put my hands on my hips (elbows way out) as to keep people from getting too close. Claustrophobic!!!
The race started and holy crap I should NOT have been in front! I typically run a 7:30 pace and these people were way faster than that! At mile 1 I was just under 7 minutes so I knew I was in trouble...TOO FAST! Mile 2 killed me!!!! I made the halfway turn at minute 9 and actually thought I was going to complete the race in 18 minutes... HA! I ended up finishing at 22:36, a 7:17 pace. I was 7th in my age group... the first of the people ages 35-39 to be in the "7" minute pace per mile. (see! they were all so fast!) I REALLY wanted to place 5th or above. In another race I'm sure I would have. Not the Lou Cox, man.
Max and Chris were cheering me on in the stadium as I entered for the final lap. Overall I was happy I did the race. My body was not though. Tried to do my usual 5 or 6 this morning and had to stop at 4. Pushed too hard yesterday. I have another race (a trail race... yikes) coming up on the 12th. I'm taking that one leisurely! ;)
Max making me stretch...
My competition... YIKES!
Post race. Like WHOA!
1 comment:
You go, Colleen! You are so fast! I aspire to be that quick, but like you, I get scared of losing or not losing or hurting myself. Anyway, yay you!
Post a Comment