As I headed to the race it was still darkish, although it shouldn’t have been. But as usual, rain was threatening. Mid-40 temps, strong winds, the usual suspects around here lately.
I parked in a church lot and ran a brief warmup over to the school for the start. Commence drizzle.
I deliberated on whether to wear my jacket or leave it. I left it. It’s only a 5k. I’ll survive.
As I mentioned in an earlier post this was an inaugural event put on by school PTO. The swag was rich. Highlights included 1 lb of Callebaut dark chocolates, good running socks nestled in a gossamer bag, and this:
As the PE staff led a brief warmup, rain began coming down in vast, blowing sheets. Joy.
We were directed out around the side of the school for the start. I was soaked before the gun even fired.
Goal: This is merely a fitness assessment from which to determine my marathon training paces. Minimal speed work+ornery hamstrings=I won’t be surprised if I’m lightyears pretty far off my best pace. I vow not to look at my watch…much. I don’t want to run to a number on my Garmin because I may limit myself by doing so.
I forgot there were no timing chips and lined up too far back. Whatever, we were off, around the back of the school and out to the street. We wound through neighborhoods, rain dripping down my face and off the tip of my nose and chin. So glad I opted for the old Newtons. There’s a lady with a blonde ponytail far up ahead, running well.
No mile markers, course marshalls or time clocks. Just yellow arrows spray-painted on the ground. My first and only look at my Garmin says I’ve run 1.6 miles and average pace is 7:52. If I can hold this pace I will take that gladly.
Soon I’m boxed in on a very muddy, winding trail. I am so impressed with these kids, many of them rocking some seriously mofo paces. Take that childhood obesity.
When we finally emerge back on neighborhood streets there’s little more than a mile to go. I’m maintaining a good clip, not too fast, not too slow. Rain lashes my face as I fight the wind up a long incline heading back to the school. A lady in pink edges past me. Surprisingly blonde ponytail is just ahead now. People doing the 2k walk are merging from a sidestreet and getting in the way.
As I turned into the school parking lot, I force myself to get aggressive, something that does not come naturally to me. Fatigue makes it hard for me to care about passing people at the end. But I gained a lot of ground on blonde ponytail on the incline and lady in pink is right behind her. I decide to live on the edge and waste both of them.
So I start my finishing kick as I cross the front of the school, anticipating that the finish line is just around the side where we started. I easily blow by them. See? Stronger than you think.
But I charged around the side of the school, to find no finish line in sight.
Then the unthinkable happens. Unstoppable rushes of nausea consume me. I try to run through the dry heaves but they won’t stop. I simply cannot maintain this finishing kick pace another instant. So I slowed. Still wretching. I’m mortified. Blonde ponytail then lady in pink go sailing by. I had to walk before my stomach would settle. Kiss my 7:52 average pace goodbye. Finally I started running gingerly, afraid the heaves would return. Embarrassed much?
Turns out the finish line is clear behind the school out in the middle of an overgrown athletic field. This requires a 200yd tromp through long muddy grass. Are you freaking kidding me? At least I didn’t wretch at the finish for everyone to see.
Cannot believe that was good enough for an AG win–especially since the AG’s were in 10-year increments and I am almost topping out. First place winners in each AG received one of the coolest medals I’ve ever gotten. It was handcrafted by someone’s dad who does beautiful metalwork. Very unique and a great touch.
For an inaugural race I thought this one was pretty well done. I love that so many kids participated, even in the crap weather. Many of them ran with their parents or on teams with their teachers, which was awesome and inspiring beyond words. I hope many of them have been bitten hard by the running bug and have a lifetime of racing fun to look forward to.
Notes: I definitely could have been faster if I’d have timed my finishing kick more accurately and not assumed the starting line would be the finish line. Scored my first pukie in a big way though. Live and learn.
