Racing

The past two weekends I've raced two completely different distances. My first track race of the season was an 800 at the Wake Forest open. Coming into the race I knew I was strong but was unsure in my ability to run a P.R to start the season. In my last post I talked about strength and how important it is for middle/long distance runners. Although I had not done any real speed work up to this point I still managed to run a 1:52.75 P.R. In the process I almost won the race. I just didn't have much of a kick the last 200. With that performance I knew great things were ahead in the upcoming weeks. After the race my allergies really began to act up and have been bothering me ever since. It's that time of year I guess. Not much I can do about it... Just take care of my body and hopefully my body will adjust.

At the beginning of last week my allergies were becoming a real issue. I would wake up at night choking and couldn't sleep for shit. I did however get a great speed workout in on Monday and come cruise interval k's on Wed. My legs have been feeling tired but this is the most demanding part of my training cycle. Unable to find a ride to Raleigh for the 5k Friday night, I knew I was on my own. I had my 1 credit Pilates class at 1pm and left shortly after. This class is really starting to get in the way. Our grade is based on attendance so I decided to go. It's a great class but not ideal for race days. Driving down to Raleigh the weather was rather shity. It was a chilly, rainy, windy type of day. I arrived around 5pm and the race was scheduled to go off at 8pm. It took a while to park but I found a free spot not too far away. The weather was still shity but the track sits really low, like the shape of a bowl. When picking up my packet they informed me that the meet was running 45:00 behind schedule. Immediately I'm thinking I wont get home till 2am. I walked back to my car to get out of the cold wet weather. I tried taking a nap in the back seat but thoughts of the race were going through my head. Everything from can I run what my fitness indicates to feeling sorry for myself. What I mean is all the things I have to do in order to continue racing without the help from others. It's not easy having to get into your own races, paying a $25 entry fee, transportation, and then having to perform at a highly competitive level. You really have to love the sport. Anyhow, once returning to the track I watched some of the action before warming up. On the warm up my legs felt tired, but then again they always do before I race. I got a good 20:00 in then made my way to the infield for drills and strides. The wind was still there but not nearly as bad. Once I was moving around I become more confident in my ability to run a fast 5k. Before I knew it everyone was stripping off their warm-ups and toeing the line. The gun was off and I tucked in behind the Zap fitness guys. This was all off instinct. Coming through the first 200 in 33, then the quarter in 66. This pace didn't feel uncomfortable but I knew it was fast. Before I knew it I hit2:13 at 800, and 2:46 at the k. I knew this was too fast. Two NC State guys went by and I tried working off them. I was 4:28 at the mile and my legs were getting heavy. On a positive note my breathing was great. I thought that was going to be an issue with my allergies. The next two laps were still good. Both in the ballpark of 68. Then the wheels started coming off. Just like every 5k of my life. You would think I would figure it out by now. I know I'm training for the 1500 but there is no reason this should occur. A few more guys went by. I just told myself to relax through 3200 behind Evans Kiegan from Liberty, then make a move with everything I've got the last mile. Coming through 3200 in 9:10 I instead slowed down even more. That chase pack got away and I was soon running in no mans land. I gave up on myself which is something I can't afford to do. If I'm going to sacrifice my life I must not give up on myself when it's go time. I finished the race in 14:31.... A 15 second P.R. That's about the only good that came of this performance. If I was feeling like shit then I could say it just wasn't my day. I'm in 14:10 - 14:20 shape and I have a feeling the 5000 and me will see each other again this year. I got a solid 30:00 cool down in before leaving to head back home. I had to be back in Richmond to help out with the 10k tom as well as working at the running store. I got lost in Raleigh and didn't get home till 2am. What a great way to start the recovery process from a hard 5k. Lets just say I wasn't good for shit come Saturday and even into Sunday. Congrats to everyone to ran the Monument Avenue 10k. It was great to see everyone out there! Running is a great sport and I hope everyone continues running going forward.