Racing Returns

So, this past week I made the decision to return to racing. On Saturday I jumped into the Rockville Twilight 8k, held at roughly 8:45-9:00pm. This race was a pretty cool event, as they had an "elite athletes room" prior to the race. It made me feel a little weird to be sitting in an air conditioned office before warming up, but with the 90+ temperature outside I wasn't complaining. I spent the time chilling alongside fellow Glover Park resident Rich Wilson (Amherst 07'), as we tried to hide out in one of the conference rooms. Emily decided she wanted nothing to do with the "elite" base and decided to camp out near the car; her call I guess.

In this office building I saw a bunch of dudes, fast ones too. This wasn't a run-of-the-mill 8k, this was a fast race. Among those who showed up were speedsters from the Georgetown Running Company (pretty much their whole team), Michael Wardian, Dave Berdan, and Robbie Wade. There were also a handful of foreign athletes there and a ton of fast women, including the seventh place finisher in the Olympic Trials 5k (Julie Culley). Considering where I am right now, seeing all of these people put me at ease. I wasn't thinking about winning the race or even trying to make the top five. I was focused on running "my race", a conservative approach, but still a hard effort.

The warm-up was relatively uneventful, but slightly frustrating as they delayed the start of the race by about 10 minutes. Race officials claimed that they were waiting for the sun to go down completely before starting the event. I don't know if I believe it, but it made a difference in the temperature during the race. Overall the weather was pretty terrible leading up to Saturday, mid to high 90's with the kind of humidity that hurts your body. All week I had been leaving for my runs a little after 7:30pm, doing my best to avoid excessive exposure. I was used to the conditions, but still, it was hot as balls out, and the air quality was awful. Finally, the field begins to line up and I end up sneaking in on the left side at the last second. I was probably in the second row back, but I had 6'6"ish Scott Anderson plowing the way for me.

The gun went off and a group of athletes of African descent immediately took charge. I was doing my absolute best to stay in control and not follow. I camped out a little behind Michael Wardian and Robbie Wade for the first 1/2 mile and tried to get comfortable. My goal for the race wasn't to run 25:00, it was to run a controlled race right above the "red-line." During the second half mile Wardian and Wade started to put a few seconds on me, but I was still right behind them. They likely went through the first mile around 5:00 and I went through in 5:07. My first mile was exactly what I wanted it to be, between 5:05-5:10.

Over the next few miles I was all over the place (5:20, 5;13, 5:29), but I maintained a consistent effort level throughout. It should be noted that miles two and four feature some more rolling hills, with the fourth mile being the most difficult on the course. Granted, I slowed down a little in the fourth mile, but I was actually moving up in the race standings. Overall the course was honest, not too difficult and not a bowling alley either. For my fifth mile I managed to pick things up and closed in 5:00. Now, to be honest, the fifth mile is about 50 meters short (because it's 8k not five miles). So in reality, the fifth mile is probably 5:10ish, which is still a good sign.

I had a bunch left towards the end, but the heat was definitely starting to get to me. I could see a couple of guys I recognized ahead, including Jake Klim (GRC) and Lewis Butler (Pacers) over the last mile, but I would have had to use everything to get up to there. Rather than kicking my brains out, I "surged" to the end maintaining my composure. For my first race back I was happy to finish in 26:10. I ran into a fired-up Wardian in the chute afterwards, as he ended up running 25:30, an exceptional race in the heat. Robbie Wade also ran a fantastic race, finishing in 25:07 for fifth overall.

I cooled down an easy three miles, jogging through the neighborhoods of Rockville. I felt good and had no problems after the race. I took water throughout the race and drank a bunch afterwards. Recovery was not going to be a problem. It appeared as though I had accomplished all of my goals for Saturday, but yet something felt incomplete. I can look at this race and say I did exactly what I wanted to do, but that's only partly true. Do I wish I had run faster? Of course. Do I get frustrated that I broke 25 this winter for 8k and ran 25:14 for the first 5 of a 10 miler too? YES!!! However, I have to remember the circumstances to keep me grounded, confident, and hungry. Saturday was my first race in almost two months, it was hot as balls, there was mega competition, and I have only scratched the surface of working out. These aren't excuses, they are the reality of the situation. On Saturday I was ready to run 26:10 and I did. I am what I am at this point, and I am content. Hopefully, I'll keep improving and be better next time.

Another interesting note is that I have joined up with the Pacers-Brooks Racing team around here. This was a decision I had been weighing for quite some time as I had narrowed my club/team search to two groups. I had people advising me to go in several directions, but ultimately this seems like the best fit for me right now. I never wanted to burn any bridges, and in choosing a group I hope I haven't. I am extremely excited to be a part of the Pacers training/racing group and appreciate the support of Pacers Running Stores and the guys on the team. I have been on board for about four weeks now, and I look forward to training/competing week-in and week-out. I'd also like to give props to the Georgetown Running Company guys, who are a great group of runners/people and were extremely welcoming this past winter/spring. In the end everyone just wants to get faster, so I'll train with anyone that isn't a Jets fan.

Ok, so here is the past week's training:

July 13th - 19th
Sun: 16 miles, easy run but a little quicker the 2nd half, felt ok
Mon: 6 miles, needed and easy day, had a headache all day, run was excellent though
Tue: 10.5 miles, felt great today, breathing was good, legs felt ok, pace was even
Wed: 11.5 miles total, 7am workout day, 14x400 in 70ish w/ 200m rest (approx 50sec - 1 minute), I was actually hoping to do 16, but my body started to break down on 13 and 14, pulled the plug and felt pretty terrible the rest of the day, ridiculously hot out
Thur: 10.5 miles, felt ok today, easy run
Fri: 10 miles, easy, felt good
Saturday*: 11 miles total, 8k race in 26:10 for 14th
Total: 75.5 Miles

*(I followed up my race with an early Sunday morning death march of 14 miles in 90+ heat, poor life decision)