As noted above, I had 8 "laps' to target throughout the race (which honestly helps mentally more than anything)...I mean, 5Ks hurt. The basic plan was to run the 0.4 uphill start at T pace, and then hammer a 5K PR.

The first uphill section was little crowded at the beginning but within 100 yards I was moving at target pace. As usual, most runners were going out too fast so I was passing them already. I held around 7:45 and got to the top of the hill feeling good The next section was downhill and then flat, and it gave me an opportunity to settle into target race pace without too much pain. Two down, six to go.

The next section is a 0.6 mile, 4% grade with a couple more steep sections. I run though here all the time so I know there's a big downhill recovery on the other side. My goal was just to hold sub-8 and start passing people as their soul was crushed by the hill. I burned some matches here, passed about 8-10 people, and held closer to T pace. Mission accomplished.

Now I get to recover a bit, with two downhill sections separated by a short false flat. The first part I just opened my stride, relaxed, and got under 7. The suck factor of the false flat uphill section was offset by a nice headwind to cool us off (at least that's what I told myself - other than the finish that was the toughest 1/4 mile of the race). I held just about 7, then got to the short downhill recovery, continuing just over 7 pace. Two laps, just under a mile to go.

The next 0.4 miles were uphill and I knew I had to hold pace, so I started looking for competitors to chase/follow/pull me up the hill. This was also the last tough section; a downhill finish followed. So, I started to chase down the only competitor within reach - an 11 YO kid. I slowly gained on him going up the hill and held about 7:20 pace. Got to the top of the hill and knew I could just stride it in and come out with a pretty good time. I wasn't really worried about where I finished in relation to my young competitor - I regularly get my butt handed to me by youngsters. :-)

However, as we started our descent to the finish I started to hear footsteps and knew someone was trying to catch us. With about 300 yards to go, I started to see him just behind us, some guy in his 20s. All right, GAME ON!!! I knew he was pushing hard to close that gap on The Kid and me, and I figured he wouldn't have another gear. There's nothing more deflating in a race than pursuing someone, catching them, just starting to pass, and then they take off. It's happened to me more times than I can count. My turn.. :-)

I waited until 20s Dude just crept past me and The Kid, and then I took off, instantly dropping both 20s Dude and the The Kid, over the final 200 yards. I was holding about a 5:25 pace...I can't remember the last time I've run that fast. Hit the line at 25:37, a 7:15 pace and the final 5K was in 22:19, a 20-second PR.

Lap info (I accidentally hit the lap button during my kick, so 8 & 9 are really one section):

Lap Data
Lap Time Distance Pace/Speed AHR MHR
1 03m 10s 0.41 miles 07m 43s /mile 126 139
2 04m 53s 0.67 miles 07m 14s /mile 137 141
3 04m 51s 0.62 miles 07m 48s /mile 145 150
4 03m 26s 0.50 miles 06m 50s /mile 141 148
5 01m 28s 0.21 miles 07m 02s /mile 142 145
6 01m 51s 0.26 miles 07m 02s /mile 141 145
7 03m 14s 0.44 miles 07m 21s /mile 147 151
8 01m 06s 0.15 miles 07m 08s /mile 145 149
9 01m 38s 0.27 miles 06m 07s /mile 144 151



I've gotten pretty good with being able to plan out races for courses that I know, then it's just up to executing the plan. For this race, I knew exactly what I wanted to do given my fitness and training plan, and more or less executed that plan the way I wanted to. I probably had a little left in the tank; I still need to learn how to kick longer.

After my usual doubling over, "looking like I'm about to die and the EMTs are starting to get edgy" 30 seconds, I walked over to get my finisher's medal and congratulated The Kid on the a good race. He wasn't looking too good, so I know he gave it his all. I grabbed some water and walked over to get my t-shirt, then jogged my cool down back to the gym, did the stretch, foam roller thing, and then drove the short distance home. I felt a little stiff and sore the rest of the day but not terribly so.


More racing experience and learning how to bring down the hammer earlier.


This was an awesome race...very well run, good size, good race course. The t-shirt is very nice and entry fee was reasonable (and would've been cheaper if I had gotten my act together). Having OJ there was inspirational of course, and I love running on the streets of Baltimore.

I would highly recommend this race, and as long as it fits in my training schedule I'll look to do it every year.