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Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k - Run


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Bellingham, Washington
United States
55F / 13C
Sunny
Total Time = 26m 15s
Overall Rank = 1/30
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

I had not planned on racing this weekend and had trained hard the two days prior including a very tough trail run the day before. I had forgotten my SOL was organizing a 5k to raise funds for a charity and saw the race on a local website before going to bed. Figured I should support his efforts.
Event warmup:

Ran about a mile to get my heart rate up and then stabilized. Did some light stretching and a few strides. My right achilles was sore and tight so was cautious during warmup.
Run
  • 26m 15s
  • 3.19 miles
  • 08m 14s  min/mile
Comments:

With such a small field my plan was to take the first half mile comfortably hard and see what the competition was. My achilles was sore and if a few people took off hard I was going to let them go. If not, I was going to step it up and see what happens.

After the few overly exuberant kids tired after a few hundred yards, there was only one guy about 10 yards ahead of me. Given that I was tired and sore I figured I'd just shadow him for a while. I was running hard but very comfortable as this section was relatively flat. There had been a huge windstorm the week before and the first of a few downed trees was laying across the path. In steeplechase-like fashion I leaped up onto and over the tree. I had to chuckle as I went over because I just as easily could have landed flat on my face. It was kind of a leap of faith as I am no spring chicken.

At about the half mile mark, the course took a turn onto a single track loop. The guy I was following missed the turn and went straight though it was clearly marked. I yelled to him but he just kept going. I had studied the course map before the race and had the RD (talk me through it). I've done a lot of races in this park and the trails are somewhat of a labyrinth.

The single track was very windy and narrow through thick brush. I could hear lots of heavy breathing behind me as I entered. I decided to put on a burst and quickly get out of sight of those following. I wanted to be out of sight out of mind if I could. I have been running a lot of much tougher trails in training and felt like a deer scampering left and right, up and down. After about a quarter mile, the trail linked back onto a wider gravel path. I didn't hear anyone behind. I continued to push until the path came out onto a residential street.

The street traverses the park and had a nice downhill grade. I was afraid to look behind me but I didn't sense anyone around. I used the downhill to settle my heart rate a bit while focusing on good leg turnover and keeping strong form. I had a great section down this stretch and figured I had a good lead heading back onto the trails for a very tough uphill grind to the finish.

The pain in my legs was building and my breathing became much more rapid. I did not want to implode so I took it down a notch. I was not terribly fast on this section but was strong enough to keep a steady pace all the way to the finish line.

Though the field was small it still felt great crossing the line first . I was sore and tired before the race but I felt like I made good race decisions and did the best I could with what I brought to the race.
What would you do differently?:

Not much.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked around for about ten minutes and drank a few bottles of water.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

More recovery from training before racing.

Event comments:

For a new, small race it was very well organized and had some nice little extras. The shirts were great. I get a lot of shirts and most go into storage but this is one I'll wear often. Also had drawing for some nice prizes. Beautiful trail system.




Last updated: 2015-09-07 12:00 AM
Running
00:26:15 | 03.19 miles | 08m 14s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 1/30
Performance: Good
Course: The course was a mix a gravel path and single track through Whatcom Falls Park. I had it at about 500 ft. of elevation gain. First mile flat, second downward, and last all uphill.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2015-09-07 7:52 PM

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Pro
6520
50001000500
Bellingham, WA
Subject: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k


2015-09-08 12:45 PM
in reply to: #5139212

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Member
2098
2000252525
Simsbury, Connecticut
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k
HEH! Way to go!

Nice to win a race you weren't even planning on doing
2015-09-08 3:25 PM
in reply to: 0

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Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!  Wow, big congrats on an OA win!!

ETA: forgot to ask - did you see any Men in Green?



Edited by melbo55 2015-09-08 3:26 PM
2015-09-08 4:30 PM
in reply to: melbo55

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Pro
6520
50001000500
Bellingham, WA
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k

Originally posted by melbo55

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!  Wow, big congrats on an OA win!!

ETA: forgot to ask - did you see any Men in Green?

Thanks Melanie.

I saw lots of men in green.  The charity is for injured US Border Patrol servicemen (they wear green uniforms).  Our town is just south of the Canadian border so they are a large presence in the area.

2015-09-08 5:23 PM
in reply to: popsracer

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Seattle
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k

Woohoo great job! See, you can't win OA and then not come race XC because of ego

2015-09-09 12:50 PM
in reply to: Asalzwed

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Master
9705
500020002000500100100
Raleigh, NC area
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k

You rocked it!  I love your out of site, out of mind strategy :-D  Nicely done!



2015-09-11 10:30 AM
in reply to: #5139212

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Master
6834
5000100050010010010025
Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k

Nicely done!!! Congratulations on well made decisions that led to a well earned placement!   #1

2015-09-11 10:39 AM
in reply to: jmkizer

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Master
3870
200010005001001001002525
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k

Might not be a spring chicken, but going over that tree means you're not a "fall" chicken either.   Fantastic last-minute race! It's awesome you have those options nearby.

 

2015-09-11 3:10 PM
in reply to: 4agoodlife

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Master
7712
50002000500100100
Orlando
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k

Wow, congrats on the OA placement!  That's gotta feel great regardless the size of the field! 

2015-09-15 9:10 AM
in reply to: #5139212

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812
500100100100
Katy, Texas
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k
Heck yeah Steve!! Overall winner is phenomenal!!! Congrats!!
2015-09-17 4:49 PM
in reply to: #5139212

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Master
6595
50001000500252525
Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Running Trails w/the Men in Green 5k

Great race execution!!!!! Congrats on the OA win. Sounds like a great venue for a race.



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