<p>With gadgetitis and due for some speed-work, I chose to head into the 44 degree downpour at lunch yesterday for the 457.75th running of the <a href=”http://www.racepacket.com/tidalbasin/”>Tidal Basin 3K</a>. In the back of my mind, I was thinking this could be my big moment… the one in which I win a race outright.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, due to the terrible conditions, folks who had been running in the 5K chose to partake in the 3K. My competition surged from 3 to 4… That late addition was a guy I knew would put in a time close to my PR, which I set pre-injury and while in some of the best shape of my life. My hopes were dashed… Surely I wouldn’t come close to that time.</p>
<p>I put in a solid race, <a href=”http://connect.garmin.com/activity/153706377″>finishing the 1.875 mile race in 11:06 for an overall pace of 6:01 per mile</a> and 2nd place. 12 seconds off my PR. Surprising and very exciting, but not enough to best <a href=”http://www.racepacket.com/tidalbasin/20120229.html”>1st place’s 10:53</a>, which as expected, was right on my PR.</p>
<p>My heart rate maxed at 178, which seems fairly low given the effort, but I’m beginning to conclude that my max rate is pretty darn low. Nothing wrong with that… Just is what it is (I did more research into it today).</p>
<p>I’m really pumped for a year of short racing ahead (I don’t plan on all-out racing anything longer than 10 miles, with the majority being 5K). I’m clearly in very close to sub-19 5K shape on little focused training (I’ve done speed one day each of the past three weeks and am only averaging 12 running miles per week in 2012). As it warms and I focus better, an adult PR is plausible.</p>
<p>I have some “train through” races coming up: Burke Lake 12K this Sunday, Fort Hunt 10K the following, and possibly another 3K before I head to NOLA for my bachelor party, which is followed by the Cherry Blossom 10-miler the weekend afterward.</p>
<p>10 miles is still a pretty tough effort for me, but I keep proving to myself that I’m in better shape than I think I am so I really have no idea what I’m capable of. My best is a 1:04, but I know that’s completely out of the question and a bad idea having been off such a lengthy injury for so little time (I still feel it now and then). I had set a goal of 1:20, which a nearly 10-mile run this past weekend was completed fairly easily at so I’ll surely crush that. 1:15? 1:10? I haven’t a clue. I suppose I’ll use these upcoming “races” as measuring sticks.</p>