A Good Start to the Season...

On Saturday, I raced the 1st Annual Dan Ford Five Miler. To preface the story, I should say that I have been running, but not necessarily training with speed or miles. I have been taking Spin classes, working on my core with my 'floor exercises' and doing yoga. As a related aside, I had no idea that the yoga would actually be difficult, but the rewards have been a stronger core, from which a runner's strength and balance comes, increased flexibility, which naturally increases strength, and better breathing, which helps control effort and brings you into focus and relaxation.

It turns out that these things actually work. This must be cross-training. Huh. As I said last Friday, I was not expecting to be competitive, but rather just to feel the race and get the racing juices flowing. As soon as the horn blew, however, my competitive nature took over. I found a groove within the first 1/2 mile and started to focus on those in front of me.

I did not see any mile markers for the first three miles, I just assumed that the water stations were at every mile - an inaccurate assumption. What I did notice, however, was that the first 2.5 miles were all up hill. I figured I was running at a 7:00 min pace right behind a gentleman who had an extremely contracted gait (and therefore a very rapid turn-over). As we climbed on a particularly steeper portion of the course, at right about 2.5 miles, I used my gait to catch him; however, after cresting he took the lead over and kept it. Then, we hit the 3 mile mark and I looked at my watch: 18:59. "Just good enough", I thought to myself. "Let the momentum carry you and increase the speed". I used my breathing to help bring me under control and focus.

At this point in the race, the hill was done and it turned into a rolling course for the final two miles. I determined three things that could work in my advantage to catching this guy: 1) his gait seemed a little too inefficient, 2) I had a positive experience passing him on a hill, and the last portion of the race was going to be uphill, and 3) I was trailing him - that meant the pressure was on him. (I bet I sound very serious right now.)

At any rate, as we approached the final 1/4 mile, we rounded the bend, I got on the inside of him, and passed him on the incline. Sprinting through the finish, I clocked in at 31:08 (6:14 mile splits). I am not sure of my first 3 mile splits, but mile 4 was 6:12 and mile 5 was 5:57. I came in 9 overall (8 out of all the men), and won my age group. I felt good and felt as if I had another racing mile in me. That looks good for the 10K challenge.

So, the racing season is off to a good start. I am excited for the prospects and even more excited after watching the Boston Marathon at mile 17 in Newton. Oh, one other story, or rather, a question, from the Dan Ford 5 Miler. Has anyone seen a man with injected biceps and triceps before? Well, let me tell you that when the muscles giggle underneath the skin while simply walking, it is a little bit disgusting.

Talk to you soon.