Well… If any race this season warrants the “Race:” title, this would be it.

What was going against me:

• Went to bed way too late.
• Didn’t even want to run the race as there was no glory to be had; even if I performed well, the series championship, which I’ve won each of the last three times it’s been awarded, was all based on another runner showing up… And he did…
• Followed my race on Saturday with one of my longest rides ever on Sunday.
• Giant blisters from Saturday.
• Still sore from Saturday (ran in my “Free” shoes, which really tire your feet on uneven surfaces).
• Ate light all day; trying to lose a couple pounds.
• Helped setup the race for 2.5hrs beforehand.
• I haven’t run 4.5 miles in 11 months.

What happened:

• Did a warmup and knew I was in trouble.
• Started well, but knew I was in trouble.
• Got through 2.5 miles, but knew I was in big trouble.
• Then the water stop came and stop I did. For a few minutes… I had no energy in me… I have been having this feeling in all the 5ks I’ve done this summer, but with the knowledge that they’d be over in just a few minutes, I’ve been able to soldier on. Knowing I had two miles left? My brain turned the engine off.
• Then I walked for about 15 seconds… I’ve never walked in a race.
• Then I slowly jogged in for a final time of… I don’t even know, I was really not interested. I think about 38:00? Roughly 8:26 pace. Edit: 37:26 (8:19 pace, a decent pace for a regular run at this stage for me).

I walked… a first for me. I feel ashamed, but know I shouldn’t as I’m not even training for running, and I had plenty stacked against me today. But hell… Embarrassing. Extra embarrassing because a coworker had come out to cheer me on at the finish (Thanks anyway, Josh et al!)… I wish I hadn’t started, and will know better next time.