I picked up my packet, pinned on my race bib and took off for a couple warmup miles. My hammies were still tight from the weeks workouts, I hoped I could loosen them before the race.
The 5K started before the 12K and just as they were starting I saw a dear friend, Edwin, running up to me, goofy headband and tall socks, arms out with a huge smile. We hugged and I told him I loved him and I was proud of him. Edwin and I have been friends 10 years now and have shared many ups and downs, and this was his very first race ever. For someone that's not a "runner" this is a huge deal and I was so thankful that I got to see him and be a small part of his experience today.
Us 12K'ers lined up and got ready. I knew many around me from the various workouts and running groups I take part in. It's always nice to see the familiar faces, but at the same time, I know they are all much faster than me so it's somewhat intimidating. We took off and made our way out and down the first big downhill. I'd never run this course before but I'd seen the course profile and admittedly I was nervous. I only run twice a week right now, none of which has any elevation to it. My strategy, as always, was to simply run my race, listen to my body and make sure to save some for the last few hills. My hamstrings and calves were already burning before the end of the first mile. The 5K'ers were on their way back and it's always fun to cheer them on as you head out. This race brings out a lot of people that aren't neccessarily "runners" and that's always inspiring. I hoped I'd get to see Edwin on his way back but we passed their turn around before I could see him.
Around mile 3.5 I had slowly started to pull away from a gentlemen that I had been running close to for most of the race. The middle section was less intense than I thought, but the next runner was over 100yds ahead of me, with Lincoln and a couple others 100 more in front of him. I was gaining a little ground on the up hills, but losing it on the downhill sections so I figured this would be my place for the rest of the race. As we came out of the greenway and back onto the road, I noticed that I was now within 50 yds of my next competitor, and there was another just in front of him. Lincoln and the other were also now only 100yds out. My pace had been steady, slightly increasing, so I figured that maybe the hills were starting to take their toll on people. Around 5.5 I caught and passed my next victem. We shared a few words in passing and I thought about whether or not to stay close or keep pulling away. He looked like he was in my age group and I didn't think there would be any benefit to pulling too far away from him with a few big hills left but I felt he was slowing and I didn't want to do that so I kept pulling away. With 1.5 miles left I was in full strategic race mode. Seeing that I was closing in on another racer, big up hill, big down hill, big up hill, then flat to finish. Constantly running my bodies diagnostics and calculating how best to draw up a strong finish without a blow up. As we crested a big hill coming out of the neighborhood I was now within striking distance of being able to pass but just as I thought about that, he was pulling away on the downhill. Damn it!! I really need to train on downhills more. I feel so out of control running fast on downhills and the last thing I want is an injury so I let him go, confident that he'd struggle on the last up hill and I could get him.
I was right. By the time we approached the bottom of the last hill, I was back within 30yds and gaining with every short step I could get. I downshifted and passed him, now realizing that Lincoln and another guy were also struggling and only 60-70yds ahead of me. I didn't know if they had much left, I knew I did. I just hoped I had more than them. As we reached the top of the hill I was now only 30yds back. I yelled ahead "Lincoln, you better not let me beat you, I know you're faster than this". I hoped this would push him, I wanted to see him do well, but it was also motivating to me to challenge myself to catch him. I caught and passed the guy that was now trailing Lincoln by a bit and as the course got flatter, I went into full on Beast Mode for the final 200yds. I passed Lincoln and rounded the corner towards the finish. I took a second to try and pump up the crowd as I raced down the last stretch. I loved hearing the increase in cheers when I do that. I could hear a race volunteer yell to me "Top 10 finisher" which made my day. I pumped my fist as I crossed, so proud of my final push and overall race strategy. I tried to catch my breath as others finished and we all congratulated each other and shook hands. I love the respect runners pay to each other. We're out there grinding it out, some have better days than others, but in the end we're all proud of each other. Maura was there too, which was great to see, and she had coffee....and beer in the car.....bonus!! So glad she got to see my finish :)
Lincoln and I chatted it up after the race, he was very complimentary of my race and my finishing strength. He and I had a similar experience during the
Shamrock 10K, but in that race, I couldn't catch him.
Its fun to have someone like that in a race to push you and you hope you push them too. In the end, I finished in 51:47, 10th of 300, and 2nd in my age group. It's a race I'm very proud of. It's probably a little unfair to the other racers though......I had the strength of a new angel with me. Thank you Megan, you'll alway be with me on race day.
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