I’m pleased to announce I have a new adult 5k PR of 18:05 (5:50/mi pace). My pacing was perfectly even, but a combination of being a bit tired (hiked the highest peak east of the Mississippi three days prior with Dad – blog post to follow), not following my usual race morning routine, too much beer the week before, and slopping through puddles meant I didn’t reach my goal of sub-18. I’m struggling with it, but should be happy with getting faster over the age of 35; studies show that after 35 you get 1% slower (that is linear until 70 when it increases quadratically).

I also did not win. Some fast folks showed up and the best I could grab was 6th or so (unclear because I’m missing from official results). I could have pushed extra hard for two more spots, but the motivation to go to that next level of hurt was not present. Sorry, Mom.

The training part I did. Each week I got my workouts in and my paces had me thinking even 30 seconds faster than what I did run was plausible. While I don’t believe in it ever “not being someone’s day,” I do know conditions are not always perfect. I’m seriously considering finding a day soon that I can be fresh enough for a track attempt.

The nutrition part I could have done better. Midway through my plan the link between MyFitnessPal and Garmin disconnected. Try as I might, I couldn’t get that working again so I bailed on the calorie counting. Through increased exercise and a conscious effort to mostly eat better, I did still drop seven pounds since February, but that was mostly easy weight I had packed on this winter by eating ice cream every night.

Based on results, the kid who crushed the race for 1st place will be winning it for the foreseeable future. Looking at history, he’s been running the race for a LONG time (I went back five years). I think he’s 16 now? He took two minutes off his time from last year. He’s going to be getting faster and he’s there every year. My ultimate goal of winning the race may no longer be feasible, but Imma keep trying.

Fundraising

Thanks to my wonderful friends, I was able to raise $1,215 for brain cancer research, the team was able to raise $2,435, and the race as a whole $1,773,580. Still no cure.

At the start line I noticed a few of my old running buddies. Focused on the task at hand, I didn’t chat with them until after the race. I was informed an old running friend had recently been diagnosed with stage 4. We weren’t close friends, but we’ve interacted enough that I know she’s a really good person. Brain cancer doesn’t care. Total shit. I’m wishing her the absolute best.

Future

I currently have a slight twinge in my… femur head to glute area? It cropped up after the hike. It’s not bothering me other than when I stand up from being seated, but I know stress can’t be helpful for healing. As such, I skipped a trail race last night and am hoping that will do the trick. I do have a mountain bike race this weekend, which aside from having not been on a bike for over a week, I’m about as ready for as I will be.

After that I don’t have too much in terms of racing scheduled. I do have the trail running series every other Wednesday night for the next two months, a few mountain bike races planned, and then it’s Leadville. The actual schedule is rather insane, but I’m hopeful I can fit in a bunch of weeknight stuff at PIR and Tabor. I’ve been saying all year that Leadville isn’t a focus, but it’s hard to think about much else with that looming over me. Sigh… Next year, no Leadville… unless I get in. 😉