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| Epic photo of me at the start. |
Placement: 78th overall, 2nd in the 50 - 59
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 60s. 10 mph wind from the north
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: First Year for Me
| Mile | Time | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:03 | Slow start. Definitely don't have my race legs today. Windy |
| 2 | 9:15 | Just exhausted and not getting anywhere. |
| 3 | 9:31 | Windy on the way back. Just want the race to be over |
| 3.02 | 0:05 | Thank goodness the course was short. |
| Total Miles: 3.02- 27:56 | ||
Introduction
With a little "race fever" after Friday night's race, I opted to sign up for the Red Rock Running Company's St Patrick's Day 5K race. The race was close by and while expensive, it was something to do and keep the good times rolling.
I had run on the course a few times -- at Floyd Lamb Park -- but never explored the west side of the park. With the starting line there, I figured this would be a nice race to get acquainted with the park and see the entirety of it.
Note: the pictures of the course were taken during a long run and am providing them here so that readers will be able to see the trail and what runners had to run on during the race.
The Race
The race started at 8 AM and I made it to the race site at 7 AM. The race had nearly 500 attendants so parking filled up fast. And fortunately I got a spot fairly close to the starting line.
I managed to get my bib in short order and did about 30 minutes of easy jogging and drills to get warmed up.
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| Area I warmed up near |
The Floyd Lamb Park has 2 parts to it. A part where there is fishing, shade and trees, and another part that involves a dirt trail that meanders around the park. I had never explored the fishing area and it was incredibly beautiful in the morning. I really enjoyed it. Alas, the race would not be run there.
The race starts at the end of the parking lot and immediately leads you on a fairly wide dirt trail. The initial outset is a little rocky but for the most part, the route is pancake smooth. The course has some hills but I wouldn't call any of them dreadful.
The first mile was all new to me. The course was a bit of a lollipop of a route, with an initial outbound, followed by a loop and then returning back on the route that took you to the main trail. I am pretty well versed in the circle, having run it a few times on some of my long runs.
I had started somewhat close to the start - the last thing I wanted was to be hemmed in. And with a race this big and on a somewhat narrow route, I never felt hampered. However, my ego was a bit bruised as those half my age flew by me.
I had noted that I'd have a bit of a tailwind to start and I'd likely have a headwind coming back. I knew the latter half of the race was going to be challenge.
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| Typical Stretch of trail |
I figured my pace was slow. I had been up late the previous night and I had just run a race about 36 hours from the start of this one. I simply don't recover as well as I used to. I had taken the previous day easy but I felt like I should be able to at least pull off a mediocre race.
Running on the dirt trail almost feels like running on quicksand; at least for me. Despite wearing my Saucony Speeds 5, I felt like the rebound from the ground wasn't giving me anything. There simply was any "pop". I knew it was going to be challenging but in a race situation, I felt like it was holding me back.
Just before a mile, the trail dumped us off at the circle and I knew where I was at this point. A little while after my watch alerted me that I had just run a 9:03 mile. That was barely faster than half marathon pace and slower than 10K. Was I going that slowly?
I hadn't spotted anyone that I knew for sure was in my age group, but anyone over 40 I figured may be my competitor. But primarily I was being passed and running with, people of the other gender or those half my age. Unfortunately, I was getting passed -- a lot and doing very little passing. I knew I had started up at the front and that I should expect this, but it is still mentally hard to deal with.
The trail does involve a bit of uphill and whenever I tried to muster up anything close to 5K race pace, a hill would set me back to reality. I honestly just had nothing. Any willpower I had to turn in a decent pace -- my body wasn't cooperating.
The race organizers did have a Leprechaun mascot of sorts on the course and I saw him a few times. It was nice to get a few shouts of encouragement during my suffering from him.
Finally we reached the backend of the park and mentally I celebrated because we were halfway through. However, now I had to content with a headwind. I was further swallowed up by other runners and my pace slowed. Mile 2 came up at 9:15. I expected slower and all things considered, this wasn't too bad of a time considering the challenges I was facing.
I couldn't wait for the race to end. The wind just seemed to push me back and I was getting nothing in return from any sort of rebound. Was I even going to place in my age group?
I finally got back to the side trail we took and I got a bit of a break from the wind. My pace quickened a bit as a result but most of my energy was gone. And the last .4 of a mile was into the wind. I could hear the music coming from the distance of the finish line and I could see it out of the corner of my eye, but I still had to run a bit extra.
I finally got back to the side trail we took and I got a bit of a break from the wind. My pace quickened a bit as a result but most of my energy was gone. And the last .4 of a mile was into the wind. I could hear the music coming from the distance of the finish line and I could see it out of the corner of my eye, but I still had to run a bit extra.
There wasn't much of a finishing kick, but I attempted one half-heartedly. The course, fortunately, was short, and I came in at 3.02 miles. My finish line photo shows the look of exhaustion on my face.
Conclusion
So this was another "just do it" race. I didn't have much going in my favor from the get go and the results were already written for me before I even made it a 100 yards.
That being said, though, I had a good time at the event. I was able to make small talk with people, it was a beautiful day, and there was a good "vibe" at the race. I tried to get a sense from a few other runners how their time measured up to a "normal" 5K and I didn't get a very clear consensus as to whether it was a fast course or not. I was mostly looking for a ray of excuse for my slower than usual time.
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| Medal and t-shirt |
The medal was actually pretty nice. It was big and heavy and seemed to nice for a 5K. The t-shirt was nicely designed but it was cotton. It'll likely be something I wear around the house but not for another run. Post race refreshments included liquid-IV and an energy drink provider. I probably should've looked around for other things but I had brought my own Gatorade. The course was well marked and marshalled.
There were no age group awards. This was kind of a bummer, especially for me. The age group awards really encourage me to try my best. I still would've tried just as hard had I known there weren't awards but still, it is a race.
I did finish 2nd in my age group and coming in with all the disadvantages of the morning, I should probably cut myself a little slack, but I was and still am, disappointed with my overall time. I am not trending in a good direction despite some pretty decent training sessions. But I also realize, I am coming into a lot of these races not primed for excellence.
I paid close to $50 for the race -- 2 days before the race entry, so I expect to pay a lot. With an age group award, I would've been tickled pink with the value. No age group awards -- this was an expensive fun run. Still, I had a good time and I really enjoyed meeting / talking to people.
02/21: 2027 Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
