Let me first say that if a race runs right by your house, and your a runner, I think you're pretty much obligated to run that race. The start and finish line are less than a 1/2 mile from my house, so I was also able to walk to and from it.
This was the first race I've run since this exact same race over a year ago. Since then, I've been battling foot injuries and have had 9 months or so of not running, which means I lost much of my conditioning. I was pretty much starting over as a runner, and I started running steady again about 2 months ago. In the last two months, I've run this course 6 times during my normal weekly runs. The course was still marked out with spray paint from last year. Here are my training run times:
5/14 -- 31:45
5/21--31:13
5/26--31:37
6/8--30:49
6/15--30:45
6/17--29:58
So in about a month I took almost 2 minutes off that 5K time during practice runs. I was optimistic that I could break 30 minutes, even though there was no way I'd hit a PR (26:40 in this race last year).
The 2nd annual Hammer It 5K was much drier than last year. It was a very nice dry sunny day, which meant it was also hot. Good thing the race started at 7am, before the heat really kicked in. There were about 100 runners. I prepared mentally for the three H's--Heat, Hills, and Humidity. (yes, there are hills in Kansas) I felt pretty good and had a nice run, and finished in.....29:08! I was glad to break 30 (hey I never claimed to be fast), and nearly break 29:00. Splits were 8:58, 9:46, and 9:28. Goal completed. Now on to the next race.
I also talked to Lacy's dad, who placed in his age group. He is fast, just like her. He's a nice guy who has been running a long time. I didn't see Fair Weather Runner, though, who was supposed to show up and defend her age group title from last year.
Here are a few pics from the race:
My son holding the cool flourescent yellow race shirt!
Running past my house. My wife and kids cheered me on.
I got to run with John, who I coach baseball with. He beat me by about 30 seconds or so. His 7 year old son also road his bike with him the whole way.
The line at the porta potty before the race. Lucky me, I could have just run home to use the bathroom.
I got to run with John, who I coach baseball with. He beat me by about 30 seconds or so. His 7 year old son also road his bike with him the whole way.
The line at the porta potty before the race. Lucky me, I could have just run home to use the bathroom.
11 comments:
Awesome job! And you're right, if race goes by your house, you pretty much HAVE to run it.
Nice job!! You've not lost as much you were thinking! And I agree if its walking distance, its a must do!
Was a great day. My first 5K (first run of any distance). Just wanted to finish the race -- was able to carry my 238lbs without stopping in just under 36 minutes. Can't say I actually enjoyed the running part, but the feeling afterwards of completing a personal goal was awesome. Best part was my son saying he was proud of me for finishing. Pain shooting thru my ankles, knees, and quads this morning, but looking forward to my next run (and this race will always be special to me now). Great event -- cool t-shirts for everyone and neat hammers for the faster finishers.
Hi Oz,
Excellent work! Congrats on your 5K PR! I always love to read the PR race reports because the joy shouts throughout the blog post:) I enjoyed the pictures too! Way to go....you are only going to get faster:)
Thanks for the well wishes.
Yes, small-town races are great!
yeah i didn't make it out, and it even turns out some childhood friends were out there. now i'm even more bummed i opted out. i was just exhausted and needed rest in the worst way! but nicely done on the race, it almost would have been better with the rain don't you think?!
gonna do any other races anytime soon?
Hammer time! Good job. :-)
way to improve your time yet again! i think i may have been too tempted to stop if i was running by my house in a race ;)
Great job, Oz! I agree-it's sort of mandatory to do the races that require no effort on your part to get there.
Great job!
I love small local races. So fun!
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