9th Annual 4th of July 5k Blast

Daily Quote: "Poetry, music, forests, oceans, solitude -- they were what developed enormous spiritual strength. I came to realize that spirit, as much or more than physical conditioning, had to be stored up before a race." --Herb Elliott, Olympic champion and world-record holder in the mile who trained in bare feet, wrote poetry, and retired undefeated.

Awoke at 6:00 a.m. and ate a small breakfast of raisin bran cereal with lowfat mile and grape juice. I was already registered for the race and didn't need to rush to Bunker Park for the 7:00 a.m. start, which was only a ten minute drive away.

Arrived at Bunker Park at 6:35 a.m. and started my warmup routine of a light jog around the course. A few fast strides and I was ready to go, but I didn't have the usual restlessness and excitement that I normally have before a race, I was very calm and relaxed. I felt hot, the temperature at the start was 87 degrees with partly cloudy skies and a slight breeze SSW at 3 mph. One thing I noticed during my warmup was that the course didn't offer any shade from the sun whatsoever!

I now had to decide what pace I should set for Garfield (Garfield is my pet name for the Garmin 301 Forerunner training partner). Since my last 5k race was May 16th, "The Runnin' For the House 5k", with a time of 24:27, decided to set Garfield for a 7:49 minute per mile pace for a final time of 24:20. Granted, today's race is much hotter than last May, but hope that I can beat Garfield due to my strong training during the month of June.

I placed myself in midpack of approximately 200 runners, not the best idea since this race doesn't have a starting computer timer mat, only a finishing timer mat. Nevertheless, my Garmin Forerunner is all I needed to determine my pace and final time...as long as I remember to push the start button!

Mile 1, 7:30 minute mile. Heart rate 178 bpm. (Note, my maximum heart rate is 190 bpm.) Several racing kids up front helped me keep my pace slower for the first mile as I gently passed them at the first turn. I'm well ahead of Garfield, although I'm already feeling the heat as I turn sharply onto Alexander road. Took a quick sip of water at a pit-stop and spilled the rest over my head, felt wonderful!

Mile 2, 8:09 minute mile. Accumulated time, 15:33. Heart rate 181 bpm. Garfield just passed me and I'm really struggling, I'm gasping for air and all I do is suck in the dry taste of hot asphalt. I resolve to catch Garfield before the next turn. I heard a noise coming towards me and was alarmed that a rollerblader was in front of me coming at full blast, I took a little stagger side-step to allow her to pass...it's amazing how wide her leg span, she takes up alot of space, heard a runner behind me yell for her to get off the course. I didn't have the extra energy to yell, but happy to hear that someone did!

Mile 3, 8:36 minute mile. Accumulated time, 24:10. Heart rate 188 bpm. Garfield is well ahead of me and know I can't catch him, my mind keeps telling me to slow down and walk, and I'm getting so discouraged I want to quit...somehow I just keep putting one step in front of another. I did manage to pass a few runners who were also suffering from the heat and we acknowledge each other with grunts.

Finally see the finish line timer, it's ticking close to 25:00 minutes, if I can only reach it before it strikes...nope, I couldn't do it, as I staggered over the line. Final time, 25:06. 8:04 minute miles. (Garmin Forerunner time) 25:18. 8:08 minute miles. (Official time)

I placed fourth in my age 55-59 age group (I'm 57 years old), which is the first time in ages when I haven't placed in the awards. The race had a nice Fourth of July Barbecue of hamburgers and hot dogs...I haven't ate red meat in a long time, and must admit the hamburger was perfect!!

I'm not despondent nor depressed as I know I gave this race my best effort. My 5k and 10k racing season is now over and for the rest of the summer I'll be rebuilding my base on the treadmill.