Obviously I ran the 5k. There is always something to learn from a race. Today I learned not to be concerned that my body, i.e. knees and back are a bit achy while warming up.
As I began my warm up about 45 minutes before the start, my knees ached and my back were feeling tight as I began my slow jogs. I ran only a few dozen meters on my first jogs because I ached. Stopped, stretched, squats, hamstring stretches, jogged again. Still achy. Walking, more stretching, running again...better, but still achy. More deep squats while holding onto a parking sign pole. That helped. Jogging after that felt better. More dynamic stretching, more high knee jogs, feeling better. Faster running, feeling smoother but still a bit tight. Down on the sidewalk doing cat/cows and twisting stretches, running...better. Let's see how this goes...still concerned.
Lined up, wondering if I'm too near the front as not many people are coming forward. Race starts...body feeling pretty good, but am I going too fast? My breathing is fast and deep. Adrenaline from the start, relax and it will settle down. Hmm it's not. I think I'm going out too fast, slow it down, relax. Inner thoughts "I'm trying to!" It's not working, people passing me but I feel like I'm working harder than I want this first mile. First mile, 8:44. Yes, too fucking fast.
New mind set time. Don't panic. Relax this second mile, maintain pace as much as you can, don't blow up! Concentrate, find a mantra. "Don't die, don't die." Okay, not a positive one but it'll work for now. Mile two, I'm afraid to look at my watch so I don't.
One mile to go. You can suffer through this! Don't slow, maintain until the last half mile then push. I turned a corner, kinda cut it and felt bad about passing a woman when doing it. She must be pissed about it, she passes me right back. Good for her. Don't let an old fart cheat on you. Old fart notices she has nice ponytail swing. Channel my inner RG! Follow the swinging ponytail. (Note: RG was a marathon friend who enjoyed watching the swinging ponytails of women while running marathons. Yes, the hair not the other ponytail you may be thing of! RG died several years ago and there are still running moments that bring back memories of his running essence and joy.)
He was right, there is something mesmerizing about following the metronome-like swing that helps one ignore the pleading of the body to slow down. I did follow, she did not slow down. I kept up but could not catch. That's okay, she earned beating this old guy and I appreciated her pulling me in for the fastest mile of the race, 8:34.
Damn I was hurting though and tired, but my knees weren't achy, my back was fine, my quads and lungs were burning. It was a good race.
The reason I do this, t-shirts and beer.
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