Actual: 6:21/mi = 19:46 5K
I managed to shoot a lot of blurry pics before my 5k and actually put in about 6 miles before my race even started so shame on me for squandering what could have been a much better effort. I also only had 2.5 hours of sleep before this race, so there's my share of excuses.
This is only the second race I can recall in recent memory not getting chick'd by the first place female. I guess that's cool. Continuously thinking I heard Dalena, Michelle, and Carolyn come up behind me was pretty sweet motivation to keep my rear moving. Ironically, if any of these three girls had not just raced their hearts out in the 10K first, they would have undoubtedly overcome my time. I was also pleased to have Christi and various other members of the club in various areas of the course showing support. After taking all too long to decrease my initial half-mile burst, I still noticed I was upholding a righteous pace through mile 2 in keeping with a certain PR. Somehow I forgot the important rule on courses that are roughly out and back -- what goes down, must come up. So my blazing downhill and flat paces were surely starting to burn on the way back up 7th street. I tried slowly and methodically picking off racers but I could only pull a few in my sights.
Coming up 7th before my turn onto 6th I saw Christi, camera in hand, with Team CDC also cheering. The Crockfords had already changed into warm-attire, but surprisingly as I caught up to Chad he took off with me, encouraging me step-by-step to push harder and harder as I overcame the one Masters that stood between me and the finish. I could not have pushed nearly as fierce as this if it hadn't been for Chad encouraging me. I hurt with every muscle fiber in my body. Why had I been so dumb as to push myself carelessly all week. I couldn't remember this much acute muscle burn in something as long as a 5k. It was unfamiliar territory, but what no one knew I had been chanting to myself throughout the entire race was, "Ole' i.e. 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord." I continuously gave praise and honor to God for allowing me to pour so much out. I knew that as much as it hurt, I could trust Him to protect the gift He had given me. So I ran and ran with no chance of catching anyone else as I passed the unkown Masters, I knew my anguish would soon be over, but I could not let up.
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| w/ Chad pacing me, of course I'm about to pass this guy, no matter how hard he pushes. photo courtesy of Christi Carter |
With 200m to go, I was zoning in on the finish line and I knew I surprised my opponent, I just couldn't let up. I could hear him trying to gain a last burst of momentum but I kept going trusting that my strong kick is stronger than anyone else's I know. As I've read before, "the trouble for runners with a strong kick is the other runners who also have a strong kick." That was the summation of my demise as this seemingly less competitive unknown runner out-kicked me, an art I thought I had come to master myself. Despite my pounding heart and throbbing muscles, I could not reach my goal, but I believe I did the best I could in that one. There is very little in-race criticism I would extend to myself. So I am pleased and thankful that now I can "relax" for a week until Hinson Lake 24.
