The Gator Bowl 5K has been a New Year's Eve tradition for the past three years, marking my final attempt to fulfill my running resolution for the current year. If some of you remember, this race was my debut into the "local running scene" two years ago as I ran a 22:44 5K and placed high in my age group. Last year, I hoped to shave a significant chunk off my previous time and break 20 minutes, which was the goal I set for that year. I came up short in the former goal, running a 20:52 in my attempt. This year I came into this race disappointed from my previous performance, which was a 15:47 4K at AAU Cross Country Nationals. At this point all I wanted was a PR, so I set my goal merely as sub 19.
Leading up to this race I logged four 50 mile weeks, which included no speed whatsoever except for daily strides done after my run. My family and I embarked on a nine day cruise (see my travel blog, www.alektravels.blogspot.com for a full report), coming back the day before today's race. Despite logging 68 miles over the span of 8 days, I was a little apprehensive whether or not the fabled "sea legs" would impair my performance. When the race came, I felt fresh and ready to perform. The temperature was in the mid 60s with climbing humidity.
Upon arriving at the race I met up with my track club teammates Eric, Steven, Matt, and Mary Ann. We headed out on a brief one mile warm up returning just in time to snatch a spot at the front of the starting line. After a slight delay, it was the command "runners set" followed by the boom of the cannon. The usually large pack took off, as well as Eric, Matt, and Mary Ann. I hung with Steven for a little while as we passed by the first mile marker in approximately 5:40. The first mile is notoriously fast so I took the first split with a grain of salt and headed on. There was a noticeable wind leading up to the halfway point so I drafted behind a runner before throwing down the gauntlet as the course meandered back into downtown. Mary Ann, and Matt who was pacing her, were about 25 meters ahead of me as I approached the two mile mark. I clocked in at 11:30, giving me a 5:50 second mile split. Now on the brink of pain and suffering, fatigue started to set in as my head started to tilt and my arms started to lose control. I passed the 4K mark in 14:34 a new PR, and by now Mary Ann and Matt were a mere 15 meters ahead of me. I was in pursuit of some of the top freshmen in the state so I knew I was in for a big PR. My short, stubby calves turned over as fast as possible bringing me to the three mile mark in 17:22. The last tenth seemed like an eternity but I finally crossed the finish line, and in the process chalked up a long-overdue PR of 17:58, which was more than a minute faster than my previous best of 19:06. I felt exhausted but I was able to process one bit of information, which was the fact that I had achieved the goal I had set last New Years: to break 18 minutes in a 5K. Once getting some water I regrouped with my Dad who was in awe as well as the rest of the team. Eric ran a PR of 17:26 while Mary Ann just edged me out at the line, beating me by 4 seconds (it was a PR for her as well). Steven rounded out the group with an 18:55, a PR of almost a minute for him as well. After a two mile cool down I checked the results just out of curiosity. Last year I missed out on an award by 10 seconds but with my recent advance into the 14-19 age group I was just hoping to place top 10. To my amazement I was edged out yet again for 3rd and this time by just 4 seconds by another 14 year old. Still, I came out of this race with a big PR and a sense of accomplishment.
After thinking it over, I attribute my PR to high mileage as well as general strength training. This leaves me to wonder how I will do once I start integrating track work into my regimen. Track season is starting up with a one-mile time trial followed by some workouts these next few weeks. I plan to compete at the Matanzas 5K, where I hope to dip under 18 once again and come home with an age group award (11-14). So long, happy running, and a happy new year!
Posts
