Ok so, I came into this race knowing I was going to get DFL. These all-comers meets cater to a wide range of ability levels but when it comes to the distance stuff, it's pretty much elite men and women and then maybe a little above average men and post collegiates.

This race was all about trying something new, and running a good race (specific to my own abilities, not the others in the field)

I've had a cold all week. The kind that leaves you fever-y and sweaty every time you do something semi-active. I was planning on racing the 3000 at the same race series last week but was unable to because I had some serious DOMS from a hike. So, I REALLY didn't want to pull out of the race again this week. I was hoping I'd be able to come in and like, magically fight through "adversity" and do well.

Unfortunately that was not the case. I just felt, throughout the warm up and the actual race, that I had a speed governor on me. My legs felt fairly fresh and eager, I just couldn't push myself into the racing zone. I broke into a fever while warming up so I sat down for a bit. It was just annoying.

So, I'm not trying to make up excuses or anything, I am just trying to figure out why I felt so off and the only thing I can think of is this cold. The only other time I have felt like this was the last time I raced a 5K with a cold (and also dressed like a reindeer ... but that's another story.) I am seriously hoping that it's not due to a lack of fitness. I've switched over from run exclusive training to triathlon and naturally, my run mileage is not as high. I still don't think that could affect me THIS much, but I won't rule it out. I guess I will have to race again to find out ;)

Anyway, let's get to the race!

First, I couldn't remember where you line up for a 5000. I did the math, let's see, that's 12.5 laps ... so you must line up at the 200 (end of the back straightaway.) Bingo! Hey, at least I got that part right! There were about 15 dudes (?) and 2 females. One of the females is a pro (and trials qualifier) and I didn't know the other.

We lined up, I placed myself a few rows back. The starter then said, "take your marks" so we all moved forward and got into position. "Stand tall." he said, we all did then he help up the gun and "click" Yeah, the gun jammed or something. lol Ok, so we back up and do it all again. "take your marks. BANG!"
And we were off.

My biggest goal was to race my own race and this mean NOT going out too fast. It would be soooooo easy to do with such a strong field but I know from very personal experience, and physiology, that I would be doomed it I did.

I hung back and just ran my own race. Because the guys were so fast I was trying to be as Mary-Cain-classy as I could, and step to the side to let them pass on the inside rather than the outside when they lapped me.

Throughout the whole thing I think I did well, in terms of not going out too fast, racing my own race and then having enough to finish strong but not too much left. The problem was, everything felt like 2-3 levels below what I think I am capable of.

Doing the distance on the track wasn't as mind numbing as I thought it could potentially be. It was really cool running under the stadium lights and just working the track, or trying to lol.

We were at 4 laps to go and one of the girls stepped off the track.
Yay, only a quasi-DFL for me HAHA

Finally 2 laps to go and I "kicked it in." I ran a really nice 800 and finished really strong in the last 100. I even almost caught a guy but not quite.

This was so totally slow. I didn't even beat my road PR.

I don't have any official results or anything so that is why I didn't fill out any of the stuff above.


Hmmm see this is the funny part. I'm not sure if I could have done anything different. It would have been nice to have a group to work with as I was pretty much solo the entire time.

Obviously I wouldn't want to run with a cold. Hopefully the will be the root of the problem and not something else.

Ran the infield


Afterwards I wasn't even really tired or sore. Even this morning, no soreness which I usually am after a hard effort. Hmmmmmmmmm


Hopefully the cold!