As part of my training for the 2011 triathlon session I have been working on my running. The plan was to do no run races until April 2011. The goal was to practice and improve my running. My coworker mentioned a 5k run on November 13th and was interested but not really wanting to do it. Then my wife said she wanted to do it and it was at that moment I decided that I probably should.
After I thought about it for a while I realized this would be a good test to see how my training was going. Plus, I needed to do a race in order to set my PR bar.
I ran the Mahomet Run For The Library 5k in 20 minutes and 53 seconds (6:44/mile). I finished 26th overall and 5th in my age group. Good race!
The conditions were chilly and rainy and the course had quite a few rolling hills. The adrenaline took over when the gun fired and I ran my first mile in 6:20. In order to finish the race running I knew I had to slow down a little. I have a GPS watch that tells me my pace so I slowed down and ran the last 2 miles just under 7 minutes per mile.
About half way through the race I settled into a good rhythm and pace. Each time I looked at my watch I knew I was going to post a decent time. I only got passed once and did some passing of my own. When you run by myself it is hard to push yourself. However, in this race, I was pushed by overtaking the competitors in the distance and getting away from the foot steps I heard behind me.
As I saw the finish line I dipped into my reserve tank and sprinted to the finish. As I crossed the line, stopped my watch, and caught my breath it sunk in that I ran a pretty good first race.
I am looking forward to the 2011 season which will include some more 5k's, a half marathon, and a few triathlons. It seems every time I do an event I immediately look to see where the next race is. I am not addicted to the physical demands of these events. Instead, I believe is it the adrenaline of a race that sparks my competitiveness which leaves me wanting more. I have thrived on competition my entire life and I am happy to know that I have not lost any of that with age.
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