Run for the Pies 5K

Alas, the Run for the Pies 5K has come. It is one of the South's most prestigious and fun races in the summer, featuring apple pies to all men who break 20 and women who break 24. If you can remember back to last year, I had a decent showing in this race, running a 22:01, but it was an effort not worthy of a pie. Run for the Pies is a benchmark for me, signifying the beginning of my summer running campaign, both in racing and training. This summer I will be gearing up for cross country season in the fall and I'm looking to amass a lot of mileage, which will hopefully lower my times as well. But I digress -- back to the race. What made this race unique was its 8:00 PM starting time, poising all running for PRs in favorable conditions. I arrived there with more than enough time to spare and began a long warm up with my teammate, Eric. Once our warm up was complete, we found a spot on the sidewalk and got ready to watch the elite race. My dad was sidelined yet again, due to a bout with viral bronchitis that he was recovering from that kept him bedridden for two weeks. From his spectator standpoint, he pointed out that the conditions were perfect, but I questioned the credibility of his declaration because there is never one waking moment in Florida where it is not humid. As we watched the elite race, Eric and I both got excited about the performances the top runners were throwing down, giving us hope that a PR was in store for both of us. Once the last few runners finished, the runners taking part in the open race assembled at the starting line. The temperature rose another 10 degrees while waiting at the starting line and I was anxious to just get the race over with. Once the cannon shot off, the crowd lurched and I dodged some weekend warriors, beginning my quest for a sub-20 finish. I hung around Eric for the first mile and tried not to get sucked into a fast first mile. But my speedy-start habit persisted and I clocked my first mile in 6:12. Alarmed by the pace, I subconsciously slowed down. I knew my 2nd mile was my weakness and hoped the negative splitting I had done in training would help me with a steady 2nd mile. Turns out my second mile split was a painstakingly slow 6:51. My chance at a pie was slowly slipping out of my grasp. I used the rest of my energy reserves to push through the last mile, but I could not dig out of the hole I was in. The finish was in view as I charged down the road, gasping for breath as I gained on the Run for the Pies banner. But about 30 meters from the finish, the digital clock read 20:00, and I knew that my chance at a pie had evaporated. I didn't make note of my finishing time, too dejected to care, but later learned that it was a 20:18 (which tied my PR from the Memorial Day 5K). I walked around like a chicken with its head cut off, in a confused haze due to oxygen debt. Finally, I met up with my parents and we made our way to the Jacksonville Landing, the site of the post-race party, where I consumed two pieces of pizza saturated with rain. I thought it was a waste of time waiting around, and I was essentially out of contention for an award so we left, capping off a crappy performance. But I looked to the future, thinking of the great weather and training that awaited me in Connecticut. As I finish up this entry, I am in Connecticut, getting in some great training. My easy run pace has plummeted while my endurance has skyrocketed, so I feel that I will able to achieve my goals in my two upcoming road races in CT. On another note, the weather here beats the oppressive heat and humidity in Florida, since it has been in the mid-60s and overcast for the majority of my stay so far. So long runners and keep training well!

P.S.- As most of you know, the summer means family vacations and this year we have decided to take a cruise of the Mediterranean Empires. Stay tuned to my travel blog, which will be updated weekly.