Remembrance Run 5k - Run5k


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Columbia, Maryland
United States
Rotary Club of Columbia
75F / 24C
Sunny
Total Time = 18m 37s
Overall Rank = 18/215
Age Group = M30-39
Age Group Rank = 2/
Pre-race routine:

Got up, took out the dog and fed her, made a Gu2O bottle and grabbed 2 Gu ROctane gels, hopped in the car and drove over to the race site.
Event warmup:

Well, I rode 52 miles on Saturday and the same route again on Sunday, so I knew today was going to be ugly and that I would be going into the race really tired from the workouts. I did my usual 2 mile easy warm up and was already exhausted. Uh oh ..... that doesn't bode well! This was a 'C' race though, so just doing it to support the Strides and the Rotary club and see my other club members, not too worried about time (especially considering the level of the field that usually runs this race).
Run
  • 18m 37s
  • 3.11 miles
  • 05m 59s  min/mile
Comments:

I lined up a few rows back this time compared to how I normally start near the front since I knew my legs were shelled and I didn't expect to run well. At the gun I just tried to settle into a rhythm and see how the legs really felt after the tiring warm up. Weaved through a few people and settled in knowing where I stood based on the usual crowd I see at races and where they were. Actually doing okay with pace and at the 180 turn was sitting around 22nd place or so surprisingly!

Passed through the first mile in 5:59, about 25 seconds slower than I normally would and just tried to maintain really paying attention to how the legs were doing. They were really tired, but not hurting and I didn't feel like I needed to slow down or anything. So just focused on the people ahead of me and worked to stay with them. One of them was Sherri who I run against often and is similar in pace to me on a good day (she's faster when I'm having an off one). I was a little surprised to see I was hanging with her about 15 feet back.

There was also another Howard County Strider who finishes around the same time as me usually who I knew was in the 30-39 age group about 20 feet in front of her. Mile 2 went through in 5:58 which was really eye opening as I basically never even split miles in a 5k. Okay, so be it, maybe I'll have a decent race after all!

About 2-1/2 miles in I was right with Sherri and we caught and passed Mike (the HC guy). I was worried he'd stay with us and race for the finish as I knew I'd have absolutely zero kick. But he fell back a little and Sherri and I cruised on in to the finish with her about 2 seconds ahead. She was 2nd overall female.

Wow, almost perfectly even split race, good placing overall in a fast field and on tired legs to boot!! I'll take it!
What would you do differently?:

Nothing really. Picked off the guy I wanted, didn't get passed and paced really well considering how tired I was going into the race. Good result and I'm really happy with it.
Post race
Warm down:

Sat down with some Gatorade and dripped sweat all over the ground. I was pretty cooked!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Riding 100+ miles over the last two days and racing Columbia last weekend.

Event comments:

I'm really happy with my time and result. The last two years I have been 3rd and 2nd in the AG and have gotten gift certificates to the sponsor running store. But this year even though I was 2nd in AG (so expected a $15 gift card again) it turned out that I was the fastest military/vet and was awarded a $50 check for my efforts!! Bonus!! Once again, a great race in a strong field and great atmosphere. This is a race I would recommend to anyone interested and available to participate.




Last updated: 2009-05-25 12:00 AM
Running
00:18:37 | 03.11 miles | 05m 59s  min/mile
Age Group: 2/
Overall: 18/215
Performance: Good
No HRM
Course: Loop around Columbia Gateway business park with a short out and 180 turn at the start. This is the 3rd year for the race and every year the course has been different!
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 3
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 3