The Champions Run 10K & 5K - Run5k

The start for the race was an absolute mess. The starting corral was only maybe 12 feet wide. They also didn't put up signs to sort everyone by expected pace (though strangely I saw a piled of these signs when I was warming up). I started in the middle at the start, but quickly found myself having to run just off the trail to pass much slower runners. It was also during this time that I, and several runners had to run through thick grass, over sand, and under low tree branches to get around the slower masses. Not sure if this affected my legs later (or even distance???) Unfortunately I was so focused on passing these people and getting to some open course that I pushed too hard and ran a 7:30 first mile split, 45 seconds faster than my race plan.

After seeing my too fast mile split I consciously cranked back my pace. Fortunately I now was in a thinner group, so no one was passing me. At the first aid station I slowed to grab a cup, and walked maybe 15-20 feet to get a good drink. Normally wouldn't do this in a 5K, but it is part of my race plan for the Tri so wanted to get used to the walk, drink, and restart. After the turnaround I was able to run on a hard pack, crush rock trail that runs right next to the main trail. This is what I am most used to and comfortable running on. Came back by the aid station again and did the same grab, walk, drink and start process. At the 2 mile marker I checked my split ad had run the second mile at 8:15. I was on pace to match my goal of being under an 8 min. pace for the whole race.

For mile 3 I found a couple runners that were similar in my pace and got on their heels for the rest of the race. Got dicey a couple times when big puddles narrowed the course and slower runners were coming at us on the other side of the trail. Hit the 3rd mile marker at under 24 minutes and strided out the final leg. (I love passing people at the very end!). Final pace was under 8 minutes so I was happy about that. Not awful considering I couldn't even jog a half mile 5 weeks ago due to injury!

The start killed me. I needed to get a better position in the starting corral to be with people who would be around my pace. That way I wouldn't have to expend so much energy passing a mass of slower runners.

Ate a banana and drank some water. Ate the free breakfast. Light stretching and ran a quarter mile cool down. Rode bike 3 miles home.


Bad race start (too fast). Too much puddle jumping. Haven't done any speedwork in training so legs not necessarily ready to push the pace too hard.


Just a big fail for the race start. I saw the pile of pace time signs to organize the corral... why not use them?!