Burlington Downtown Dash

Well this was my second attempt this month at seeing where my fitness level is at for 5k.

More importantly it was also both of my daughter’s second attempt at the 1k. (We discussed pacing alot this week due to last races BONK for both girls at 150m into the race!). My oldest listened with great interest and absorbed what I had to say and executed her well constructed plan finishing 4th overall, while our youngest was more consumed by everything except my fatherly advice. Needless to say she was in the lead at 50m “head down, fists a pumping” thinking that the finish was only steps away. (Oh the next 950 were not much fun to say the least) – however she hung in like a trooper, and with only steps away from the finish with the crowd cheering  she dug deep and found that extra gear, unfortunatly a boy fell directly infront of her! She came to a sudden stop to see if he was alright or needed assistance. I told her after the race that was a very polite thing to do – her comment back was that he was infront of her and would have beaten her if he didn’t trip – so she thought he desirved to be infront of her, and didn’t want to hurt his feelings. (I told my wife that kind of thinking does not come from my side – note to self not to repeat that again.)

Anyway the reason for th 1k report was because I struggled alot with my own demons going into this race jotting down “what ifs” and km splits on discarded paper around the house. After all that – it took me only 1k of a fun run to put everything into perspective “Do I lead the charge – go with what’s going and finish with what I’ve got” (like my youngest – or go out even pace stay within my limits and have a good solid result – like my oldest). Factoring the heat etc – I was going to go even spits and race smart.

2km warm up (due to the 1k race) – Few strides I’m good to go. Gun went off, I let the gang of studs go and settled into a solid pace with the first female. (I also forgot to recharge my garmin, so I was running old school with my Timex – no big deal I’ve done thousands of workouts with old faitful).

We were about 20m back of the first group through the 1km. I felt pretty relaxed and comfortable so I knew the pace was good. My watch read 2:56! well that was a bit off my goal pace of 3:18 now wasn’t it. I guess after 25 years of racing, my inner child still gets the best of me. I knew I was going to hurt, just when was now the question.

2k in 6:20, (3:24) still roughly 10 seconds ahead of my goal pace. I still felt good – it was a bit up hill into a brisk wind. I tucked in behind 2 young fella’s during the stretch to conserve every ounce of energy in my old body.

3k – 9:53, (3:33) Found that pain I was so looking forward to receiving! What a cool sensation, feeling your body start to go lactic. I’m now 7 seconds slower than my goal pace and I know this feeling is not going to get any better. My thoughts now turn to 15 minutes prior as I watched my youngest sprint down the street and slow to a stop as her little muscles seized up due to her Usain Bolt efforts. I remember shaking my head and thing well she’s young if she wants to continue running – she will learn. But the question is – when will I? 

I stuggle to get to 4k in 13:14 (3:21) gained back a little ground, but I’m now 14 seconds off goal pace! Gut check, it’s now time to finish with what I’ve got! I tried to go to that “special place” where you go and you feel no pain – no luck for me today. IT HURT REALLY BAD, however as we all do, I got through it. Down the home stretch, dueling it out only with my demons. In the distance I heard my wife and kids cheering my name, so I put in one last effort – I saw the clock and knew if I got to that last extra gear….. I could go sub 16:30!

Final result 16:32, getting there…..

I’m going to sit down with my 8 year old (my new advisor/coach) before my next race and figure out a game plan……

As always, VR PRO put on a great race, special shout out to a couple of Running Free Runners I saw kickin’ it in! I even heard the announcer give props to the Running Free Team!