Run on the River race with That Guy and my daughters

May 21, 2017
Run on the River in Astoria, the first race in almost two years and the first one in much longer where I wasn’t in pain going into it. Thank you Kat!

And who would show up at the race?  That Guy! It was good to see him, he said this was his first race in a couple years also.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, my endurance mileage wasn’t what I’d like it to be for a race, long runs of 5 miles, with about 3 weeks of tempo runs included. I had noticed my paces in those tempos coming down to the mid 8:00s.  I also hadn’t run a full out pace either, the closest being the 6xhalf mile repeats I did the Thursday before the race. So how would I react to the lactic acid build up the last mile?

Knowing my training has been going well and my hip becoming stronger, I have still been reluctant to pick a race. The last two I signed up for I encountered a nagging muscle injuries that prevented me from running. I was telling myself I wanted a better distance base and sometimes even telling myself I was done racing. Kasey’s suggestion that we all run this race was the motivation I needed. I began looking forward to it, mostly because I enjoy running with my daughters.

Training went well leading up to this, still did not have the endurance mileage I would have liked, but I was able to stay healthy and get in some speed workouts. I wasn’t nervous and actually thought with a bit of luck and well executed race strategy I might be able to eek out a second place family finish. I knew I wouldn’t be able to go out with the girls from the start and hang on, rather I needed to be conservative then hope I had enough during the last mile to reel one of them in as they suffered from going out too fast.

It started out that way, the girls went out and I followed. I needed to keep relatively close to have a shot during the last mile. Kasey was looking strong, taking the lead so I began tracking Jasmine thinking she might finally concede a 3rd place finish. I could feel the effort but not having raced in a long time nor done much speed work I had no clue to my pace. I was planning on 8:15 mile at the fastest, I passed it at 7:45 and at least 15 yards behind Jasmine. Kasey was another 10 yards farther and extending.  I was, to put it mildly, a bit concerned about that pace and the effect it would have on my last mile.

I noticed right from the start That Guy was at my side. Was he racing me?  He still had that stiff shuffle going, unlike my smooth yet strained effort. It was an annoying pleasure to see him, even if my plan was to try and beat one of my daughters, not him.  A pleasure to see that he’s still running races, annoying that his awkward gait was keeping up with mine. Oh well, it’s good to suffer with company.

I backed off a bit, trying to relax, keeping my breathing steady and deep, yet keeping in contact with the girls. The second mile mark was not accurate, I passed it 6:42 later. I know I hadn’t sped up! But I had begun to close on Jasmine. By the turn around I had closed the gap to less than 10 yards on Jasmine, but I was also beginning to feel that fast first mile in a more definitive way, I was starting to hurt! I was counting on her feeling it also.  I had enough time to catch her, if only I could sustain a decent pace. With about ¾ of a mile to go I was out of gas and Jasmine was pulling away. I could also see she was closing in on Kasey. Which presented a Dad dilemma…

I’m pretty sure Kasey wasn’t aware Jasmine was approaching. I was impressed with Jasmine’s effort knowing she hadn’t trained and had to be hurting. I was also hoping Kasey would earn her first family championship. I conceded first and second to them and watched their finish unfold, wondering if I should intercede and warn Kasey of Jasmine’s approach also knowing this would encourage Jasmine as well. As I pondered this, I let out a “Go Kasey!” She gave me a thumbs up and told me later she knew this was a warning that Jasmine was approaching.  Jasmine caught her with about ¼ to go.

By this time, lactic acid had sent in, the bear was on my back, I was dragging the piano, whatever metaphor you use to describe it... my legs hurt, my stomach ached, my lungs burned, my head screamed to stop.  I remembered why I “disliked” 5k’s, they are an intense hurt, unlike the marathon hurt which is gradual and dull and you can adjust to it. The 5k hurt is quick, sharp and all encompassing, it’s an all out attack on your being.

That Guy was right beside me the entire way. I couldn’t shake him and his shuffling stride. As I sprinted to the finish, he plodded along beside me, how could that plod be as fast as my sprint?

I made it across the finish in 25:17! I had forced myself not to look at my watch after the mile split so had no idea how fast I was going. A much better finish than the “under 27” I had set for myself.

Congrats to Jasmine for keeping the family trophy. Congrats to Kasey for legitimately beating me and your first sub 8:00 race.  Thank you both for a fun weekend. And thanks to That Guy for keeping me motivated.