For this installment I traveled to New Hampshire for the Hollis Fast 5k. I was in NH for work and there are a few runners at the US office who were doing the race. All they had to say was "downhill" and I was in. Plus it was only $25 and I'm a cheap bast**d
The race was Thursday June 9. Forecast was for 100 degrees and humid. Yikes. If that forecast held there was no chance of a PB. But luckily thunderstorms moved through 2 hours before the race lowering the temp into the low 80's but it was still very humid. (Sorry, I'm too lazy to convert to metric - and all my splits were in miles too. other than name of the race no other km's to be found).
It's point to point so bussed to the start. Then a nice easy 30 minute warm up. Ended up being around 950 people in the race (more than the population of the town LOL) so it was pretty crowded at the start line. Apparently this race draws a lot of fast runners looking to go sub 15 so I put myself in the third row back from the front.
Gun goes off and it's an immediate right hand turn and downhill. In fact the first 2 miles are downhill. Blitzed through the first mile in 6:10. Felt good so kept my cadence for the second mile. It wasn't as steep a downhill but still managed 6:20 pace. At this pace I'm going to kill my 20 minute goal. But then my right hamstring decided to protest against all the downhill running. And then my right achilles decided to join in the protest. Come on guys - only 6 minutes and change and I'll get you some beer. Relax. But they were having none of it. And the third mile is flat. And the high humidity is starting to take it's toll on me. Things were getting interesting.
Then a 67 year old guy pulls along side, gives me a "who do you think you are" look and pulls ahead. Now it's on. Damn you leg we must beat a guy who's 26 years older than us. But by now my pace had dropped so it was going to be close to break 20 minutes. 1/4 of a mile to go and I persuaded my leg to join in and kick. Sprinted to the finish and saw the clock - 19:45. Final time was 19:47. Sweeeeeet. Finished 65 overall and 5/36 in the 40-44 age group. And I beat the 67 year old by 5 seconds. This guy should race Ed Whitlock. 2 genetic freaks racing each other. My money would be on Ed.
Then it was off to watch the basketball finals with the guys from work (no hockey game so we settled ). I sat at the bar with by achilles in wrapped in an ice pack which helped. Now it's home to rest and think about my next challenge. Maybe run a fall marathon. Never done one of those before.
In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
- richie-rich
- Bill Crothers
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- Doonst
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Re: In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
That's sweet indeed! Well done, big congrats!! Yup I think you're ready for a marathon.
next up:
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day
Re: In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
Very sweet result. I'm glad it worked out so well for you.
Sucks that you couldn't watch the hockey game, though!
Sucks that you couldn't watch the hockey game, though!
Support me in my fundraising for the Boston Marathon, Boston Public Library team:
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Re: In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
Great PB!! Congrats!
- b_squared
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Re: In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
That's some fine foot racing Rich! Congrats on cracking 20 min.
Re: In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
Way to go. Congrats on the sub-20!
Re: In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
Woohoo, what an amazing feeling to break that sub-20 minute barrier mark, eh !! Congratulations ..
Race Results: http://itsmyrun.com/index.php?display=p ... unner=HCiD
- LeonKomposky
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Re: In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
Well done on cracking the 20-minute barrier!
Sounds like a good endorsement for a thorough pre-race warm-up. (If I new how to do it, I would reference the recently posted topic of the benefits of warming up.
Congratulations.
Sounds like a good endorsement for a thorough pre-race warm-up. (If I new how to do it, I would reference the recently posted topic of the benefits of warming up.
Congratulations.
"There are several good protections against temptations, but the surest is cowardice.
" - Mark Twain.
2011:
Jan 16 - Richmond Road Races 5 km - DNF
May 29 - National Capital Marathon – First One!
July 2 - Perth Kilt Run 5 Mile - done!
July 3 – Spartan Race 5 km - done & dirty!
September 18 - Army Run 5K/Half?
October 22 – 9runrun Half Marathon
And a 10K sometime
" - Mark Twain.
2011:
Jan 16 - Richmond Road Races 5 km - DNF
May 29 - National Capital Marathon – First One!
July 2 - Perth Kilt Run 5 Mile - done!
July 3 – Spartan Race 5 km - done & dirty!
September 18 - Army Run 5K/Half?
October 22 – 9runrun Half Marathon
And a 10K sometime
- Robinandamelia
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Re: In Search of the sub 20 min 5K - Part 4
That's fantastic, congratulations!
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