Sheffield, AL
July 26, 2008
Official Results
Sometimes when things look bleak and it doesn't seem like anything is going your way, you get a day when everything comes together and you wonder what worry was all about. This is the story of my week leading into the Outback Survivor 5k race.
Two weeks ago I had asked my friend Joey Butler if he'd be interested in running two 5k races on the same day, in two cities 60 miles apart, and only 10 hours in between the races. He agreed and we proceeded to run the Da Doo Run Run 5k in Florence in the morning and then the HTC Twilight 5k in 94 degree temps on the UAH campus in Huntsville that night. It seemed like such a great idea; at the time. Then Sunday rolled around and I had what I would later self diagnose as mild muscle strains in both inner calves from two races in one day and racing in new Saucony Fastwtich near racers (with little support). I was in some pretty bad pain and it was more prevalent when I limped through a 7+ mile trail run with Dink (Taylor) and Blake (Thompson) on Sunday morning from Rob and Kathy's house. I really struggled the entire run, fighting back the pain in my legs.
I knew that this was most likely just an overuse injury but it was still tough to take, since it was of my own doing. In order to stick to my plan of racing on 8/2 at the Lake Antoine Classic in Iron Mountain, MI as my career race #100, I would have to get healthy enough to race on 7/26 for #99. I put together a plan to do mostly elliptical training during the week, supplemented by some periodic test runs. By Thursday night I felt pretty confident that I could be at least 90% by race day after a pretty decent feeling double, concluding with a 7 miler on Panorama with Dink at 6:57 pace. I made one final check on Friday, but decided by noon that I was going to race as planned.
It was my turn to drive, so Joey and I met up at 5:45 am at Barnes and Noble at Bridge Street to make yet another pilgrimage to the Shoals to continue the recent dominance. We made it in less than an hour and started warming up in 75 degree temps with overcast skies and a little mist/light rain. I ran about a mile out and back with Jason Reneau, who also made the trip over from Madison. I knew that he would be at the top, if not a serious contender. In warming up, I told him that it was going to take a low 17 based on the runners present and conditions to win the race.
We lined up and after brief instructions of the course, started out on time. The first part of the course was an out and back, with a cone turn around near Chucky Cheese. The leader, Hirbo Hirbo, approached the cone from the left. This was the first time I have ever been around a cone from the left. When we got close, he and the rest of the leaders kept running straight. Having listened to the instructions and run the first part of the course earlier, I made the turn and jumped from 5th to first. The rest of the pack quickly figure out their error and made the turn as well. Within 10 seconds of the cone, Jason came up on my right and took the lead. I made the same decision that I made last week (early in the race) to try to stay with the leaders as long as possible. I also knew that since the first half of the course was downhill, that I would have to put some hay in the barn early if I wanted to contend. Jason, me and Hirbo broke away from the pack. After a fast 5:26 pace first half mile, we had dropped the rest of the pack behind. Hirbo was one of the Russelville runners who kicked me at the end last week, so I wanted to put a big gap on him early. Luckily, Jason wanted to run hard downhill as well. Twice during the first mile on the descent did I think about passing him. Both times I looked down and saw that we were running 5:18 pace or faster and thought better. I tucked back in and followed him stride for stride. The first mile of this race was faster than I had ever run a mile ever before (though I have never raced just a 1 mile race).
Mile 1
02:42.86 + 02:38.20 = 05:21.06
Total: 05:21.06
Average Pace: 05:21.06
Jason and I continued to cruise downhill. My stride was a little longer and a little quicker, keeping up with him within feet. We passed by what would be the 2 mile mark (on the way back), seeing a few people and sped past, following the police car to the bottom of the hill. Just before the bottom, we lapped another half mile at 5:26 pace. I was now in new territory for a 5k race. We had a steep fast climb ahead, followed by the long climb back to the end, but I felt great to this point. At the bottom, we ran up a 80' climb in a very short section, making a lap past the aid station and then back around. We got very close to the cop car in the lead, as he had trouble navigating back through the runners. I was still step for step with Jason. He ran back down the steep hill with arms flailing and near reckless abandon. I knew that if I had a chance to win, I would have to stay with him and I ran a near falling-down pace. We ran through some runners on their way down, including Mike Green, fast Ronnie Nelson and Joey Butler. Joey yelled something that I didn't hear (later he would tell me not to give up and stick with him, knowing that it is a rare opportunity to be this close to Jason this late in the race for me). The second half of the second mile was much slower, as we began to climb back up the hill. I passed the clock at just before 11 minutes flat, which is also a personal record for me, if this had been a two mile race.
Mile 2
02:43.44 + 02:55.44 = 05:38.88
Total: 10:59.94
Average Pace: 05:29.97
The final mile would be the remainder of the climb and then an attempt to get my legs back quick enough to be able to finish strong. Most of the runners had been through by now as we ran up. Jason started to widen the gap on me here and pulled away. He was maybe 10 seconds ahead by the time that we crested the hill. We had climbed the hill at about 5:50 pace. I still had something left in my legs and was not about to give up. Running faster now on the flats, I could sense that Jason was slowing slightly, while I was starting to surge. I knew from experience that he was getting ready to kick, but I had to be with him if I expected to contend. I had successfully executed part of my plan, which was to put a big gap on Hirbo, as I could barely see him in the distance as we made the second to last left before the finish. The other part of the plan was also nearly there, as I had narrowed the gap to 1-2 seconds behind Jason as we got to the 3 mile mark.
Mile 3
02:57.57 + 02:51.44 = 05:49.01
Total: 16:48.95
Average Pace: 05:36.32
In the last 500 feet, we sprinted along and headed into the last turn. Jason began to pull away again, but this time I stayed with him through the turn. Making the last left, I knew that there was not enough time to catch him in the last 20 meters, but I pushed as hard as I could despite the impending feeling of coming up short again. I crossed the line, soaked from sweat, rain and humidity, stopped my watch and pulled my tab off for the race volunteers. I had just set a 5000 meter personal record on a course and in weather that I had no business running this well in. I looked down to my watch to see 17:23.68. This was 7.5 seconds faster than my previous best, which fittingly, came just 7 days prior about 7 miles away in Florence.
Mile 3.107
00:34.73
Total: 17:23.68
Average Pace: 05:35.91
At the end of the chute, Jason and I shook hands for a race well run, having finished 1 and 2 overall. Hirbo would come in 51 seconds later. Somewhat sweet justice for me, having lost to Hirbo in the last 100 meters last week. On this tough day, only 9 runners would break 20 minutes. Overall, there were 112 total runners.
After a 4 mile cool down with Jason (at a break neck 7 minute pace) and changing to some dry clothes, the awards started. For the second week in a row, I was in the top 3, having finished 3rd last week and 2nd this week. By the official times, I would be 3 seconds behind Jason. This was the closest I have ever been to him ever before. The awards were medals with alligator teeth on them, and the top 3 male and females and masters also got hand painted boomerangs.
Joey Butler continued his dominance of the 40-44 male age group in the Shoals, having won this 3 weeks in a row. Mike Green was 1st in 45-49 and Ronnie Nelson was 3rd in that group. Along with Jason, I'd say the Huntsville metro cleaned up in the Shoals once again.
So I am not sure where to go from there. I am once again good enough to beat 99% of the pack, but still am chasing that all elusive win. I guess I have two options; settle for losing week after week, or work even harder to be able to beat 100% of the pack. Which one do you think that I am going to do? I have been able to cut 4% or 47 seconds off of my 5k PR since late June. I'd say I will take the latter.