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I don't run many 5k's. In fact I can count the number on one hand, unlike marathons. So I relished the opportunity to try a new tempo pace during a race. My goal was 5:10/k splits and to enjoy the Christmas lights in a park here in the metro area. It was sort of a fun run, but I found out it's a lot more fun if you run fast.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
I did a 2-mile warmup on the course, and I needed to warm up because it was cold, foggy and misty. Fashion report-Bellingham Bay Marathon long-sleeve technical tee, covered by a windbreaker, stocking cap, gloves, tights and black/white/yellow Brooks Adrenaline GTS-7's. I stretched a little, then worked my way up the front, chatting with a guy in his 60's up there. "I think you'll win an AG award," I said.<br><br>
The gun went off, and my first split was 5: xx (can't remember any of my splits they called out) after a couple of little hills so I knew I had it in the bag. All I had to do was hold that pace. That was actually pretty easy because I knew this was just a training run, and I felt like I had more left I could have poured on. My VDOT of 40 suggests that is true. I kept passing young people, and then I even passed the older guy. AHR was 174, max 185. I could see the lead runner the whole time!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Cool"><br><br>
I finished strong in 26:41, clock time, which is about a 4-minute PR from a year ago. I was pretty sure I had just won hardware, and sure enough, I was right, 3rd in M45-49. It was my first time to do that (individually-I had a relay team that won hardware in Feb.), after running for years, so if you've ever had that experience, you know how I feel right now. And Fred, the older guy's name, did win an AG award (the only one in his AG). We finished together (he poured it on at the finish and almost puked) and chatted before the awards ceremony.
I did a 2-mile warmup on the course, and I needed to warm up because it was cold, foggy and misty. Fashion report-Bellingham Bay Marathon long-sleeve technical tee, covered by a windbreaker, stocking cap, gloves, tights and black/white/yellow Brooks Adrenaline GTS-7's. I stretched a little, then worked my way up the front, chatting with a guy in his 60's up there. "I think you'll win an AG award," I said.<br><br>
The gun went off, and my first split was 5: xx (can't remember any of my splits they called out) after a couple of little hills so I knew I had it in the bag. All I had to do was hold that pace. That was actually pretty easy because I knew this was just a training run, and I felt like I had more left I could have poured on. My VDOT of 40 suggests that is true. I kept passing young people, and then I even passed the older guy. AHR was 174, max 185. I could see the lead runner the whole time!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Cool"><br><br>
I finished strong in 26:41, clock time, which is about a 4-minute PR from a year ago. I was pretty sure I had just won hardware, and sure enough, I was right, 3rd in M45-49. It was my first time to do that (individually-I had a relay team that won hardware in Feb.), after running for years, so if you've ever had that experience, you know how I feel right now. And Fred, the older guy's name, did win an AG award (the only one in his AG). We finished together (he poured it on at the finish and almost puked) and chatted before the awards ceremony.
