While it seemed like every Boston runner that isn’t doing the marathon decided to do the BAA 5k yesterday, the idea of doing a 3 mile race with 5,000 people makes me throw up in my mouth. Just a little bit. NOT my kind of race.
Instead, I picked out a local 5k just down the street from my house for a little run fitness test. It could not have been any more different than the craziness going on downtown. I registered 30 minutes before the race. Just walked up and handed over cash in exchange for a bib and timing chip. Then Sam and I decided to just lay in the shade on a soft patch of grass until the race director called everyone to the start line. It felt more like a big neighborhood group run than an actual race. I loved it.
Also, my trusty race photographer/wife decided to pull a fast one on me. As I was getting dressed yesterday morning, she kept asking questions like “So, how much does this race cost?” “You are just going to pay cash and register before the race?” Then she threw on her running clothes and decided she’d join me. She has been working out a lot lately, but hasn’t been training for the race at all. We’ve only ever done one race before, so it was a fun change of pace. She kept apologizing for not being able to take pictures of me on the course, but I was much happier knowing that she was out there on the course with me, kicking butt.
The race itself was pretty uneventful. I tried to go as hard as I could at a pace I could hold. For a 5k, if it wasn’t hurting a lot, I wasn’t going hard enough. I was about 10 seconds/mile slower than I wanted, but I just kept pushing. By mile 1, we started up the second hill and I dropped a few people. I was left with two people right in front of me. An older guy and the first place woman. I tried to hang with them, but couldn’t. I was only able to keep them close enough to use them as my rabbits for the rest of the race.
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The hardest part of the race was having to run PAST the finish line, up a hill to my car so I could grab my camera and make it back to the finish line in time to capture Sam coming across the line. Awesome form and great sprint to the finish. Proud husband. Rocking a vintage pink Trakkers visor too.
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And we were able to head back to our house for a quick shower and still have time to check out the awards. I ended up a minute behind my goal time, but locked down 1st place in M 20-29 and 9th overall!
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Not a bad way to start the season, eh?
