Pacific Open Water Challenge (5k Run) - Run5k

Plan was to do a hard tempo run for this race but to hold something back for the swim and the rest of my long run later in the day (17 Miler planned for the afternoon)

Started out strong but not overly labored and felt a little stiff owing to the pounding of the concrete and the fact that I had already logged 60 miles this week.

Hit the first mile mark right about where I expected to be in terms of time and settled into a groove. 2nd Mile went fine and I could see Xan the whole time about 200 yards up in front of me striding along.

I knew from my warmup that we would be hitting a turnaround and heading into the wind to come back to the finish and I was prepared. Did the turn and just tried to maintain the pace without flaming out too early. I knew there was a short ramp coming up as we passed over the pier and my plan was to hit the downhill hard and charge the finish.

Focused on playing road kill the rest of the way to the top of the pier and at this point, could no longer see Xan. (He must have already kicked)

Hit the downhill and dropped 4 or 5 runners I had been pacing with and charged hard to the finish line to see Xan already de-chipped and recovered. (He must have really kicked)

Nothing. This was a tuneup race designed to set the stage for some good speedwork in my taper. I still had a 17 mile run planned for later in the day.

I did hope to use the results in a little competition with the rest of my team mates. (A Virtual 5k Race)

Chatted with Xan, got some water, a clif bar. Wanted to get cooled down quickly so I could get ready for the 5k Swim.

Ditched my dri-fit shirt and grabbed my cap and goggles to get body marked for the swim.


Tons of accumilated fatigue from 6 months of Ironman Training. The last 5k of my half marathon in February was almost a minute faster.

But overall time or placement was not a consideration for this race.

In spite of all this, I did set an un-official PR for this distance by 1 Second. (I ran a 21:47 back in October, 2005)


This is the first year for this new event and it seems that I really confused them. I registered late and also for 2 separate events. They had to give me 2 timing chips and it seems that the chip timing got all screwed up.

I am missing from the results for both races. I would have placed 2nd in my AG for the Run if I would have been properly timed.

I EMailed the RD and they are going to look into it :)