I met up with my friend K, who had paced me at Heroes vs Villains back in April. We had been planning for roughly 9:15 down to 9 min/miles, hoping to get me a new PR. My existing PR is 29:03, set on this course back in 2007, when I was about 40 pounds lighter. I was convinced my year of hard work was enough to bring the speed.
It didn't happen.
We set off and all was going well, but I didn't glance at my watch at all, which turned out to be a mistake. I was hitting low to mid 8s during the first mile, and I think it came back to bite me. If I could have started in the 9:30s even and then negative split, it could have been a very different race. But I just got too excited.
It actually started feeling tough during mile 2. K was a great pacer, keeping up a constant stream of chatter, making sure I knew I didn't need to respond. I just focused on forward motion. As we passed the water station at the halfway mark, he even asked if I needed any water! Such a great race partner! I was starting to feel the hurt at this point. My breathing switched from 3-in-2-out to 2-in-1-out. I started talking to myself in my head, convincing myself that I could keep it up.
We passed mile marker 2 with a 9:30 pace, and my heart sank. Slower? Already? K was still feeling positive. He said we could still get that PR. As we made our way down the hill, I saw his wife and my family. My mom was shouting and waving her sign. I smiled for the camera, and then settled in for the long set of hills in the last mile.
At that point it became a battle in my mind. My legs got so heavy, and I actually had to convince myself not to stop, curl up on the sign of the road, and take a nap. I have NEVER felt like that in a race before. K kept spurring me on, convinced we were going to make it. I wasn't sure, and at that point thought maybe he was just lying to me to keep me going. We climbed the last hill, and after the turn I could see the mile 3 marker. I tried to find a kick, and K started telling me that it was going to be close, and to kick as hard as I could. I took the last turn and focused on the finish line, knowing that the pain would stop as soon as I crossed the line. I saw my mom again with the sign, right by the finish line. I didn't see the clock, or anything else. I just stared at her sign: USE THE FORCE
As soon as we crossed the line, I knew I had given it literally everything I had. I could hear K saying he really thought we had it, but we hadn't missed the PR. I looked at my watch, and reassured him that it was a my fastest 5k for the year, and if it hadn't been for him, I would have surely stopped and walked.
I have never fought such a hard race before. I didn't have a faster time in me this year, but I tried to be mentally tough, and I think that toughness is what got me to the line faster than back in July.

Start out slower for the first mile. I think if I'd run closer to a 9:30 for the first mile, I could have negative split and perhaps been in better shape to have a good kick toward the end.

I walked a little bit past the finish line and was having quite a time catching my breath. Once our families caught up to us, we swung by the snack tents and I went for a super firm banana and some water. I probably should have put on my warm clothes sooner, but I really felt like I was on fire, and couldn't bear the thought of wearing more clothes.



Let's say it again for the umpteenth time this year: aerobic capacity! I naively thought this time last year that a year was enough to transform my aerobic engine into a thing of beauty. Not so, and this winter I have my work cut out for me.
I'm disappointed, because I really did think that sub 29 was going to happen this year. I think that I was in better shape when I was swimming and cycling, too. I thought running more frequently would be enough, but the higher volume that I can handle with swim/bike really does make a huge difference in my fitness. I'll remember that for next season. It only stings a little....after all, I did still get faster.


Third time running the 5k course at Fairfax Corner, and this location never fails to impress. The parking is plentiful, even with the new construction that's going up this year. Lots of potties, good food/drink (especially considering its a 5k) and impeccably run. I'm sure there are easier 5k courses, but this is the one I keep coming back to again and again.