Since I can see the starting line from my house, I figured I had to run this race. I ran the course with a little preview jog a couple days prior. The out-and-back course started with a short hill and followed with a mile-long downhill stretch, ending with a steep bump before the turnaround. So obviously the return trip features the reverse, a couple rollers and a mile-long uphill climb.
Even though I'm not on point with my 5k preparation this spring, I decided to give it a shot this morning and came off the line trying to build some time to carry into the descent. I was out in front at the first turn and rolled over the first hill in the lead. I could hear footsteps behind me, so I knew there was competition close at hand. I never turned around through the descent, but could tell there was someone close behind me and they were definitely not fading. As I approached the turnaround behind the pace bikes, the footsteps behind me were closer, and I could tell he had a bit more in the tank than I did.
I was passed just after the turn and though I held close for a bit, I just didn't have the legs for the hills today. Seeing at the turn that I was in 2nd overall easily, and wasn't going to cede placing to the next competitor without a major breakdown, I took it a bit easier on the uphill. After the MCM 17.75K, I wanted to make sure I didn't blow up on the hill, so I saved some reserve and cruised in an easy gear for a while, watching the bikes and first place disappear up the road ahead.
I came across in 2nd overall, a great finish, but no PR and honestly, my time wasn't much to write home about; I kind of sheepishly accepted the placing.
| The Results |
5k : 18:51 | 6:04/mile (2nd place overall; 1st place age group)
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| Wearing her "fast socks" in a show of support. |
