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The race is officially called the Meijer Festival of Races and takes place in Traverse City, Michigan during the annual Cherry Festival. Picture the cherry equivalent of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and you’ll get the idea: cherry pie, cherry ice cream, cherry tart, cherry turn-over, cherry jam, cherry cheese, cherry wine, etc., all merchandised into a two week fair/carnival/concert in a picturesque "up north" town.<br><br>
The Midwest heat wave broke in a big way the night before the race which was good news. Temperatures dropped to the low 50s and it rained steadily right up until the start of the race. With the exception of a strong wind, it was perfect racing conditions for me: cool and cloudy. (Like always) I got hemmed-in at the start and spent the first ½ mile weaving around slower runners. I actually passed other runners consistently for the first 2+ miles. I lined-up maybe 20 yards from the start but I guess that was still too far back considering the pace I ended-up running.<br><br>
I've been training only about 25 miles per week due to some lingering IT issues from last season and running short tempo runs of 3M @ 7:40/mile. I expected to run the race at or about this pace.<br><br>
I felt good during my warm-up (which consisted of approximately 1M easy, rest, 1M harder, rest, and about half a dozen strides from a stop) but was surprised to see the first mile come at just over 7:00! The first mile was hilly with a lot of turns as we were running through a neighborhood. Despite the effort, my stride felt awesome—strong but fluid. We got pushed up onto the sidewalk during the second mile as we ran along the bay. I feel like I’m really moving at this point and take to running on the grass to pass people on the right. I hit my second mile split at something like 6:38!<br><br>
Must. Hold. The. Pace.<br><br>
The last 1.1 made its’ way into downtown along the parade route. Starting to hurt now. There were some people lined-up along the route but I don’t see them. I hear them cheering but feel disconnected from it all; breathing is more important.<br><br>
We make a couple of turns and then there’s the finish—uphill. Up a big hill. From somewhere behind me, two chicks absolutely launch up the hill. The look to be about 14 and combined probably still weigh less than me. I push but I’m pretty much all out at this point so there’s not much tiger left in the tank. I get passed by one more person: a dude wearing gold shoes—all I saw was the shoes—and the fact that each of them pointed out to the outside at about 30 degree angles. Then I’m across the line. Wow.<br><br>
21:21 @ 6:52/mile!<br><br>
Ended up taking 3rd place in my AG and even got the hardware to prove it <img alt="hello2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/hello2.gif"><br><br>
This is only the second 5k I've ever run in my life. The first was in September 2005 and I ran it in 27:59, so I guess this is a PR by like 6:38 <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
With this race I feel like I've come full circle. I completely ruptured my left Achilles tendon in December 2005 while playing basketball a couple months after that race--and it was the thought of running again which helped me through my rehab. In fact, I completed the Walt Disney Marathon (in 3:52:56) just 13 months after surgery to repair the tendon, but the 5k was my first race ever and to come back and run it again well meant a lot to me.<br><br>
And coming on only 25 miles per week of training (and on a 193 lb. frame) I’m excited to find out how much faster I can run if I get my weight down and get some more dedicated training under my belt. I’m talking 170 lbs. and 70 miles per week. It will take time, I know, but the possibilities are so very exciting.<br><br>
Thank you for taking the time to ready my RR and I wish you all happy running!
The Midwest heat wave broke in a big way the night before the race which was good news. Temperatures dropped to the low 50s and it rained steadily right up until the start of the race. With the exception of a strong wind, it was perfect racing conditions for me: cool and cloudy. (Like always) I got hemmed-in at the start and spent the first ½ mile weaving around slower runners. I actually passed other runners consistently for the first 2+ miles. I lined-up maybe 20 yards from the start but I guess that was still too far back considering the pace I ended-up running.<br><br>
I've been training only about 25 miles per week due to some lingering IT issues from last season and running short tempo runs of 3M @ 7:40/mile. I expected to run the race at or about this pace.<br><br>
I felt good during my warm-up (which consisted of approximately 1M easy, rest, 1M harder, rest, and about half a dozen strides from a stop) but was surprised to see the first mile come at just over 7:00! The first mile was hilly with a lot of turns as we were running through a neighborhood. Despite the effort, my stride felt awesome—strong but fluid. We got pushed up onto the sidewalk during the second mile as we ran along the bay. I feel like I’m really moving at this point and take to running on the grass to pass people on the right. I hit my second mile split at something like 6:38!<br><br>
Must. Hold. The. Pace.<br><br>
The last 1.1 made its’ way into downtown along the parade route. Starting to hurt now. There were some people lined-up along the route but I don’t see them. I hear them cheering but feel disconnected from it all; breathing is more important.<br><br>
We make a couple of turns and then there’s the finish—uphill. Up a big hill. From somewhere behind me, two chicks absolutely launch up the hill. The look to be about 14 and combined probably still weigh less than me. I push but I’m pretty much all out at this point so there’s not much tiger left in the tank. I get passed by one more person: a dude wearing gold shoes—all I saw was the shoes—and the fact that each of them pointed out to the outside at about 30 degree angles. Then I’m across the line. Wow.<br><br>
21:21 @ 6:52/mile!<br><br>
Ended up taking 3rd place in my AG and even got the hardware to prove it <img alt="hello2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/hello2.gif"><br><br>
This is only the second 5k I've ever run in my life. The first was in September 2005 and I ran it in 27:59, so I guess this is a PR by like 6:38 <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
With this race I feel like I've come full circle. I completely ruptured my left Achilles tendon in December 2005 while playing basketball a couple months after that race--and it was the thought of running again which helped me through my rehab. In fact, I completed the Walt Disney Marathon (in 3:52:56) just 13 months after surgery to repair the tendon, but the 5k was my first race ever and to come back and run it again well meant a lot to me.<br><br>
And coming on only 25 miles per week of training (and on a 193 lb. frame) I’m excited to find out how much faster I can run if I get my weight down and get some more dedicated training under my belt. I’m talking 170 lbs. and 70 miles per week. It will take time, I know, but the possibilities are so very exciting.<br><br>
Thank you for taking the time to ready my RR and I wish you all happy running!
