ANATOMY OF A 5K RACE!

Two weeks and counting until my first TRI and this weekend I’ve signed up to run in two separate 5k races this weekend. While racing today, so many thoughts were racing through my head so I thought it would be only fitting to dedicate a blog entry to it. So here you have it-all the thoughts going through my head pre-race, during the race, and post-race.

My pre-race goal was to keep busy so I wouldn’t get too excited or butterflies. I was roaming the house like a man on a mission!

Gotta do this, gotta do that! Can’t go to the race till I’ve finished this and this…Looking at watch-30 minutes till race time so I gotta get the heck out of here!

I jump in my car and start the 6 minute drive to the race…

Forgot my water bottle! Oh well, no big deal…Forget my racing belt! Again, no big deal, I’ll just make sure to use it tomorrow.  WAIT-forgot my iphone, no 80’s tunes during race? Should I turn around? Nah-I’m not using the headphones during my tri so I have to get used to racing without them anyway.

Arriving at race where a big fair/festival is taking place…

Can’t believe I can’t find a parking spot! Race starts in 20 minutes…I gotta make a power move, find a spot, and get to the starting line! OK- I’ll park at this lot where office is closed for weekend!

I register, get my bib, and actually have 10 minutes to get ready!

I have to make sure to stretch the legs well! Remember Jim…hammy was a little tight during last 5k you ran, loosen that puppy up! Bad news- my cheering sections (the fam) can’t make this race. Good news- I don’t have to entertain my little girls before race starts and have more time than normal to stretch! Loosen everything up…OK-time to line up…don’t be too far back, remember-you got boxed in last race and was slowed at beginning a bit!

O.K. got a pretty good spot at start line but it will be a little tricky- all runners have to run through narrow finish gate to start race…I’m all set- good spot!

Here the gun- go! Wait, old guy next to me is trying to squeeze in through gate. His elbows are up as he tries to get me to budge!!! Remember Jimmy- you are a city boy!! This gibroni is not going to push me aside! Put your elbow up! Did it- through the gate, now get a little distance between group with a quick sprint…Two guys in front of me cut me off 25 yds past start so they can chat…I push my way through them and won’t see them again this race, and I’m off……

Half a mile into the race…

Wow- got off to a quick start. Maybe pushed a little too much! Breathing heavy, gotta try to control my breathing!

One mile in and running a steady pace…

Getting fatigued…O.K. Jimmy, remind yourself why are you running in this? Why did I sign up for this race? I am gassed! Can’t believe I’m doing this. I should start to walk…but remember your triathlon! You can’t walk a 5k workout with only 2 weeks! Could I? New plan- keep up with gray shirt guy in front of you! He has a steady pace that is right where I should be at!

Here comes water station- only been running 1+ mile? WTF! Water wasn’t bad, feel better for next 3 seconds. Where is gray shirt guy? OK- got him in sight, all set! Time to set my pace and run the way I’ve trained-steady pace!

Mile 2…

Wow, feeling much better! Small rolling hills/inclines… I can keep this pace, still right behind gray shirt guy. We are both running steady. Nobody passing my either. WAIT= two high school kids are a making a move on me? Can’t break my pace to speed up, I’ll never finish! Go ahead guys!

End of Mile 2…

Last water station, another boost of energy for 5 seconds! Pace is still the same. Gray shirt guy now 40 yards ahead. WAIT- another person passing me?...Female too? This gal can run…good shape, good form, she is legit! I’ feeling good, same pace-she’s quicker and I’m letting her go! Older guy also passes me…oh well…

Mile 3 marker…

Feeling decent at Mile 3! I can make a sprint!!! Small hill 100 yards before finish line-I’m going for it! All out spring up hill and I’m gaining on everyone! I pass the girl early into the sprint. Old guy too!!! Wow. Sprinting gets you tired at the end of a 5k!!! Wait- here is gray shirt guy in front of me. I got him in my sights…He is at his usual steady pace…Wow, I’m tired. Maybe I’ll just follow gray shirt in to finish. I run side-by-side, slow down with him. I’m just 1 stride behind him…he is not challenging me…I’m just gonna follow him, I’m gassed anyway…I can push a little more, but remember Jimmy-you are running another race tomorrow and your fam isn’t here anyway so now drama needed at the finish. Don’t use all your energy today and leave yourself with an empty tank tomorrow!… I am going to follow gray shirt guy…Old guy re-passes me 25 yards from line. That’s ok- I’m following in gray shirt guy…Just wish I brought that iphone…I could really use a boost from Vince Neil or Joe Elliot right now!!!

Almost at the line now, oh yeah, check the race clock. Holy Moly, I’m 1 minute ahead of my time 2 weeks ago! 22 minutes flat!!! A personal best 5k! Not too shabby! And I thought I’d be slower without my 80’s tunes!

Get your post-race drink and snack! Keep walking around but don’t take too long, the fam has quite a bit going on…Get to your car….Ouch! You should have used body glide today! What were you thinking!!! Chafing sucks!!! Don’t rush out of the house next time!

Despite forgetting your water, body glide, iphone, and racing belt you still had a PB. That is a trade-off I can live with. Guess there will be no headphones for tomorrow’s race either!