Manchester Road Race - Run8k

Race went off better than I expected. Because of the rain and cold I didn't really want to get out there and race. Plus, I ran the course in about 38:00 last Saturday, so I wasn't feeling exceptionally peppy either. However, I'm apparently in much better shape that I expected! Overall I feel as though this was an 80-85% effort. I was hesitant to really push up the hill, as I'm usually dead at the 2 mile mark. That was not the case this year. The rest of the race I just tried to stay steady, and use my strength from the 1/2 marathon to pull me through the final 0.75 miles. I was able to do just that. However, all my distance training has left me with very little speed, and I felt as though I was just going all out over the last 1.5 miles. I just couldn't go any faster. Strangely enough, after I finished the race I felt as though I could have gone out and ran the thing again! I think I need some more track work if I plan to do some more 5k's.


Mile splits are as follows:
1 mi: 6:07 6:07
2 mi: 7:08 13:15
3 mi: 6:12 19:27
4 mi: 6:20 25:47
Finish: 4:30 30:18 (6:00 equiv.)


I would have pushed a little harder through the 2nd and 3rd miles. I hesitated up the hill through mile 2, and didn't push the pace down the hill through mile 3. I felt very relaxed and in control the entire time, which shows I could have left some more out on the course.

Because it was absolutely pouring out (and I couldn't feel my hands) I threw on a dry shirt and my outer jacket for my cool-down, no pants. I ran for about 8 minutes, felt fine, and then put some more dry stuff on.


One of the classic New England Races, up there with the Boston Marathon and Falmouth. The weather is ALWAYS crappy, it's just part of the tradition. Great crowds, great competition. Where else do you find 10+ guys running sub-5 pace? And, for 25 bucks, it's not even all that expensive. Great timing system and results archive.