Another Race

So today I woke up and decided that I was going to do another 5 K. I got the family together and headed to Cedarburg. We got there about 45 minutes to the race and I started to look at the racers. There were some younger kids, college and high-school age, that looked a little threatening, but nothing that I couldn't handle. There was also one guy that beat me on Wednesday, but I knew, based on times, that he wasn't any better, or worse, than me. So at this point things were looking good.

While we were lining up the "kids" were starting to talk a little smack saying "we have this" and talking about their times. Hearing what they were saying I just turned around, grinned and said "don't let us old guys beat you". They laughed and said "no worries".

So the gun started and we took off. First let me say the hills in Cedarburg were larger than expected. I think the course covered every single one of them. I maintained a 5:10 pace and the "kids" were right on my tail. I was in a bunch of 4 or 5 people; one of them being the guy who beat me on Wednesday. Knowing I took it out too fast a few days ago I settled in and went through mile one at 5:15; right where I wanted to be. At this point I could here the college kids sucking air and knew they weren't going to be in it much longer. Mile two it was just me and the guy who beat me on Wednesday and we went through it at 10:25; once again, right where I wanted to be.

Then boom - - the wheels, again, came off. The lungs felt good, but the legs just cramped and didn't want to move. I let the one guy go ahead of me and just maintained my # 2 spot. At this point I mentally checked out, dialed it back and went through mile 3 at a 5:55 pace - - - Not where I wanted to be :)

So I finished in second place, out of 610 people, with a 17:15 time. Once again 30 to 40 seconds slower than I can run. For what ever reason the legs just can't hold that last mile. Oh-well, it's done and over with. I'm not pleased with the time, but pleased at the place. I guess you have those off days or weeks. It may help if I actually trained for the faster stuff - - I'm just running miles and not much tempo work.

After the race I did a 3.5 mile cool down with the guy who came in first. We chatted a bit, compared stories and then parted ways. I'm looking forward to a much needed day off tomorrow.

Miles this week - 57.7
Miles this month - 195.7
Days thus far in the month - 27
Days ran this month - 22
Days off this month -5
Miles this year - 1371.2
Miles in the month of January - 241 (Average 7.77 miles per day)
Miles in the month of February - 205.5 (Average 7.34 miles per day)
Miles in the month of March - 267 (Average 8.61 miles per day)
Miles in the month of April - 271.7 (Average 9.06 miles per day)
Miles in the month of May - 190.3 (Averaging 6.14 miles per day - Marathon month)