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| Starting arch at Kellogg Zaher Park |
Placement: 17th overall, 1st in the 50-59 age group.
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Low 80s, breeze from the north - warm
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for Me
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:50 | First half mile was great, 2nd began the climb |
| 2 | 10:49 | 150 feet of climbing. Not fun! |
| 3 | 9:04 | Not much left. Some of this was uphill as well. |
| 3.08 | 0:35 | Finish line snuck up on me. Should've started my sprint sooner. |
| Total Miles: 3.08 - 29:19 | ||
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| Packet pickup area. |
Introduction
Another weekend comes rolling around in Las Vegas and I am itching to race! As the season heats up, the race choices appear to be getting a little slimmer. However, I did find a good one about 20 minutes from my house -- at Kellogg Zaher Soccer Complex.
I've raced here before, sometimes in part with another race or a few years ago I did a brutal 4th of July 5K at the park.
The park offers a wide running / bike path and is suitable for 5K races. However, there is one caveat: it is hilly. Going west is definitely a challenge, but fortunately, if you are lucky and you get to run east, you'll be blessed with some speedy miles.
The race, put on by the JusRun race organization celebrates Mother's Day. The race is geared for women, particularly mothers, but men are certainly welcome (and encouraged) to participate.
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| Runners assembling at the starting line. |
The Race
The race starts at 8 AM and I got there early expecting a bit of chaos to get one's bib. Fortunately, I was able to procure one in short order. I grabbed a (cotton) t-shirt and got settled in for some photos and a short warm-up.
The temperature at the start was already pushing 80F and I did a very short, uninspired warm-up. By the time the race was starting, I was already damp with perspiration.
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| Typical stretch of "course" |
The race wasn't an "A" race for me, but I came in feeling fresh, with a lighter load than usual as far as training went for the week. I am not going to say I felt 100% but I certainly felt a bit more "springy" than last week's race.
The race offers two distances: a 10K, which started at 8 and the 5K which started approximately 5 minutes after the 10K. There was also a 1 mile race.
I started up near the front and got off to a good start. The first half mile or so was a gentle downhill and I wasn't going crazy, I was cruising. I was holding back, because I knew the westbound route would be mostly uphill and I knew digging myself into a hole early in the race would result in a dreadful experience.
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| So bright! |
I knew right away it wasn't going to be any sort of record breaking day but I figured I'd give it a good effort; surely I could do better than last week.
I ran the first half mile in about 4:20 or so. About where I wanted to be. However, as soon as I started running westward my pace slowed. I recognized a few of the hills I had run last week. At least on that course, I only got a taste of the westbound route. I still had to go at least another mile.
From about mile .66 to mile 2.1, it was nothing but an uphill. I was wearing sunglasses but it definitely felt bright out and my mouth got dry.
A nice touch for this race was that they did have mile markers and for the most part, they were on target. Mile 1 came in at 8:50. Not exactly where I wanted, but to be honest, given that the latter quarter of this mile was uphill, it wasn't too bad.
I hadn't spotted anyone in my age group (turns out the first place overall was the only 50 - 59 year old) but I felt like I really wasn't working with anyone throughout the race. I had caught some of the 10K runners who had had a 5-minute head start, but I was confused as to who was doing the 5K and 10K. I did check with the race organizer prior to the race and there were age group awards on the line, so naturally I wanted one - if nothing more than to spur myself to try hard.
Finally at mile 1.5 we exited the park and took another bike trail further west. It was still uphill, it was still sunny, and just "hard". I had gotten the impression the turn around was near mile 2 so I knew I was getting close. A few of the front runners were already heading back (probably the faster 10K runners).
I remember mile 2 ringing up on my Garmin and I am not even sure I looked at it. I probably did and knew the mile was slow. I had just run close to 200 feet in the last 1.5 miles and I was feeling it. It was close to what I would consider my marathon pace (on a good day). 10:49 pace. I've done faster easy runs than this.
I hit the turn around at the dead end of the trail and thought I'd catch a bit of momentum on the return. My pace did quicken, but my mouth felt like it was filled with cotton and I was just tired. I was in survival mode.
It helped to get some cheers from runners on their way out. There wasn't much course support other than each other out there.
There was a woman I was trying to catch in front of me, but at this point, it was just a matter of guarding my current position, which judging from the number of returning runners was around in the top 20. Hopefully I could make up some time.
But there just wasn't much in the tank today. I can see now that my heart rate was pretty much maxed out and the heat was making me feel a little swimmy. I don't usually take water from an aid station in a 5K, but today I took a sip of one and dumped the rest over my head.
As I made my way back to the soccer park, I began to do "math" in my head. The course felt like it was going to be long. As I zipped around the western edge of the park, the finish line felt like it was a lot further down the course and I was holding back a little. I think at points I could hear the finish line DJ music but I couldn't see it.
Mile 3 rang up in a little over 9 minutes. Considering how I felt, this wasn't too bad, but I expected to be a little faster. Especially now that I had a gravity-assist from the slight downhill.
As I passed the final mile marker, the finish line came into view. I turned on the jets and used everything I had to speed through the arches.
Conclusion
So, the race was a relative disappointment. My time was just above 29 minutes. I'll be honest, depressing. For someone who used to be able to run 20-something and now have to settle for 29-something. It was saddening -- I am not getting any faster.
I had stashed some water near the finish line (they had bottled water) and I managed to cool off a bit after collecting my finisher medal. They had a QR code link to get the results and I was pleased to see that I was 17th overall and 2nd in my age group (I graduated to first).
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| Pre Race photo |
I had had visions, when I signed up for this race of doing the 10K. I am so glad I didn't. I am not sure I would've survived the heat. Also, the 10K route was the 5K run twice. Once was enough, thank you!
The race had cotton, pink t-shirts (the color theme was obviously pink and I had the good sense to wear my obnoxious pink shirt). Mothers received a flower for finishing as well. The age group award was a simple ribbon. It was something. They did have some awesome looking trophies for top 3 overall runners.
There were some pre-wrapped snacks for food at the end (as well as oranges). A live DJ played hit songs and they had food for purchase with snack trucks.
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| Top finisher awards |
I was really happy with my experience. I do think, though, that the race should start at 7, 7:30 AM at the latest. 8 AM, especially on a very hot day, could be dangerous, especially to newer runners.
I'd definitely run this one again, although I'd probably sign up a bit earlier to catch a savings. It was in the mid $40 range when I registered within a few weeks of the race date.
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| Finisher's medal, age group award and t-shirt. |
This race isn't an easy one, but I am happy I was able to place in it and get some sort of recognition. Even a simple ribbon is something that'll push me a little harder during a race. This race is also very welcoming and ideal for newer runners looking to start their 5K racing journey.
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