NRFTW

Time: 44:38
Distance: 10.37 km

W/u: 11:20 for 2.15 km
W/o: 90 sec hard, 60 easy for 5km total
C/d: 16:18 for 3.21 km

I showed up for the No Rest for the Wicked weekly 5k looking to put in a nice little workout. I have completed 60 seconds on, 60 seconds off before over the course. This week I wanted to extend the hard section by 30 seconds and see how the body responded. For it now being spring, this weather sure doesn't feel like it. There were snow flurries throughout tonight's gathering, but the wind wasn't really a factor.

I didn't get much of a warm up before starting out with the group from the corner of the Hawthorne Hotel. Here is how it went down...

Splits:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	17:00.3	5.01	3:24
1	1:30.0	0.47	3:11
2	1:00.0	0.24	4:10
3	1:30.0	0.50	3:02
4	1:00.0	0.25	4:00
5	1:30.0	0.47	3:10
6	1:00.0	0.26	3:51
7	1:30.0	0.48	3:08
8	1:00.0	0.25	4:00
9	1:30.0	0.48	3:08
10	1:00.0	0.25	3:56
11	1:30.0	0.47	3:10
12	1:00.0	0.26	3:55
13	1:30.0	0.48	3:07
14	:30.3	0.15	3:18

I never felt great, but I pressed on making the effort hard. My legs were fairly tired and I didn't have much pop running up the hills. Regardless, I was pleased with doing something more than just running completely relaxed tonight. Looking at the splits, I probably should have backed off on the rest effort and would have run harder on the fast sections.

NRFTW 5k

Time: 50:22
Distance: 9.83 km

W/u: 16:05 for 3.34 km
NRFTW: 5k alternating 1 min on/off intervals
C/d: 17:13 for 3.24 km

I had a bit of a hard time motivating myself to put on the running clothes after coming home from work. It was cold, dark and I was tired. I ended up shuffling out the door and making my way to the Salem Common to meet up with the crew of 20 looking to run the No Rest for the Wicked 5k.

My plan was to alternate running hard/easy 1 minute intervals. I did this several weeks ago when the temps were just hovering above 10 degrees and found it was somewhat enjoyable and a decent workout. Tonight my hope was to keep the recovery interval in the sub-4:00/km range.

Splits:

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	17:04.6	5.01	3:25
1	1:02.6	0.33	3:10
2	1:02.2	0.28	3:45
3	1:02.4	0.34	3:02
4	1:02.1	0.27	3:54
5	1:02.8	0.34	3:04
6	1:02.2	0.26	4:03
7	1:02.2	0.35	3:00
8	1:01.6	0.26	3:58
9	1:02.6	0.34	3:06
10	1:01.5	0.25	4:03
11	1:02.9	0.34	3:03
12	1:02.5	0.27	3:54
13	1:01.9	0.35	2:59
14	1:01.9	0.25	4:11
15	1:01.6	0.35	2:57
16	:43.0	0.18	3:54
17	:48.4	0.27	3:02

I'll take it considering it's really only running half of a 5k.

NRFTW Thursday Night

Time: 48:00
Distance: 11.44 km

W/u: 14:54 for 3.22 km
NRFTW: 17:30 for 5.01 km
C/d: 15:36 for 3.21 km

I headed over to the Salem Common to meet up with the crew that runs the No Rest for the Wicked run/race. I think this was my third time attending and first without Meagan being around. I didn't feel too keen on running hard but just wanted to see how the legs would respond to running a bit harder.

Splits:
3:39, 3:33, 3:26, 3:22, 3:27

The tempo kept getting quicker until the final stretch when I started to shut things down. I managed to run steady without getting too competitive as I saw the splits increasing. I stretched out the run until the watch hit 5k and then I started recording times for the group.

Beverly Yankee Homecoming 5k

And, just like that I'm a month behind with updating the ol' blog. Training has been going well since I last posted. I did have to take 4 days off last week as the medial side of my knee was battling a little tendinitis. However, this week has been going quite well. I even raced last night. Here's the link to the article for the Beverly Yankee Homecoming 5k.

Raynham ~5km for Kicks

Time: 57:13
Distance: 13.85 km

W/u: 15:45 for 3.27 km
Race: ~5k from the front
C/d: 24:44 for 5.35 km

I was at an account last week and the owner invited me to come out for the weekly Monday night 5k. I figured it wouldn't hurt to show up and was told this night would be particularly special. The gentleman who has organized and timed this weekly "race" is moving to Florida with his wife who has cancer. They were leaving at the end of the week and this was the farewell event. There was lots of picture taking and other conversation that you would expect when someone closely connected to the running community decides to move on. It was pretty cool to see and after the race I got to shake the guy's hand (since this is written a couple of weeks late I have embarrassingly forgotten and too lazy to look it up).

A few minutes before the race the owner who invited me pointed out the guy who always wins. He was probably a junior or senior in high school and while there are many high schoolers out there who could smoke me, but this guy was not it. Considering I was coming off a big week I had no ambitions to force the pace from the start and would wait to see the opening split.

Splits:
3:15.13, 3:13.19, 3:09.66, 3:13.71, 3:09.00, 43.21 for 16:44 total and 5.23 km (3:12/km pace)

We got off the line and I hung back for the first 400m. We were not running particularly fast so then I shot to the front and dropped the pace. The traditional winner came with me for another 400m and then he was slipping back. At this point I knew the race was essentially over and it would be a glorified workout. I held an honest pace to the base of the hill that starts at mile 2. From there I started pushing to keep the overall pace from dropping. I managed to hold things together and finish without going to the well. I had been told before the race that the course is slightly longer than 5 km and more like 3.25 miles. If it were a 5k my time would have been about 16:00 or so. Not anything to be overly elated about but moving in the right direction.

MRN's 2 x 5k Workout

Time: 69:22
Distance: 16.65 km

W/u: 27:30 for 5.94 km
W/o: 2 x 5 km at MRN's marathon pace (w/ 3 mins rest)
C/d: 1:34 for .34 km (yes, that's right!)

It was Meagan's turn to workout this week and do you recognize the workout!? Since she is in much better shape comparatively, I didn't think the opening 1.6 km (mile) of gradual uphill would have much of a influence on her overall effort. I was right.

Splits:
 3:46.64, 3:44.93, 3:41.07, 3:40.31, 3:47.36 for ~18:40
(3:01)
3:46.06, 3:42.78, 3:40.05, 3:39.26, 3:44.29 for ~18:32
40:18 total for 10.37 km

I think this was another boring effort for Meagan based on how comfortable she looked. I was asking her to hold back on the 3rd and 4th kilometers because she would have split in the mid to low 3:30s had I not. Her foot didn't bother her too much, but we are monitoring it closely as the Trials are just days away. It's time for her to freshen up and be ready to run on the day of the race!

I probably should have run a longer cool down, but we both needed to get cleaned and packed up to make a quick business trip to Los Angeles and San Diego. It's sunny skies and warm temps today, Boston weather tomorrow.

My Very Own Palm Springs Workout

Time: 87:33
Distance: 21.33 km

W/u: 24:52 for 5.39 km
W/o: 2 x 5 km at ~3:20/km (w/ 3 mins rest)
C/d: 26:36 for 5.59 km

The goal for today's workout was to run 2 x 5 km at what I hope to be marathon pace later this spring. I didn't want the effort to be too difficult as I haven't been focused on my training as of late. The pace was meant to feel up tempo but relaxed so as not to visit the well.

Splits:
3:19.52, 3:19.58, 3:18.88, 3:16.90, 3:20.49 for ~16:36
(3:04)
3:17.40, 3:20.33, 3:15.10, 3:15.86, 3:17.09 for ~16:25
36:07 for 10.35 km

The good from the workout is that my second 5 km was faster than the first and I felt relaxed running around 3:18-3:20/km. The bad from the workout is when I tried to push on the slight downhill section from 1.5 km to 3.9 km all I could manage was 3:15 efforts. It felt like I was running much faster in terms of turnover meaning my legs aren't used to moving that fast. Aerobically I was very content and comfortable in those ranges, but I'll have to do some speed work to get used to spinning the legs faster in order to get back to feeling relaxed at 3:00-3:10/km.

I have to remember that it's only January 2nd. I'm healthy, ready to train hard and have lots of time before any race.

Indie 5k at The Running Event

Time: 88:12
Distance: 18.96k

W/u: 37:37 for 6.88k
Race: Indie 5k, 15:45 for 10th
Meagan's Workout: 16:55 for 3.73k
C/d: 17:55 for 3.29k

The Indie 5k: The fastest, free 300 person, 3.1 mile race for no money. This is what my season came down to, a joke of a race with lots of pride on the line. Last year I placed 4th overall and hoped to improve upon that effort, but I knew this year's competition would be better and my training has been worse.

Meagan and I jogged over to the race site at Zilker Park with Dan Matena. The race was scheduled to start around 7:00 AM, but I knew it wouldn't not make that mark. I didn't know that it would be closer 7:30 when the racers were off which made for an interesting bit of warming up. It's a good thing the race was delayed as I'm pretty certain the sun wasn't out until 7:15.

Once at Zilker I jogged a few extra loops around in an attempt to wake up the body some more. I was also checking out the competition which would be pretty impressive. Ryan Bak (Yurbuds) would be toeing the line who was fresh off a 2:14 marathon debut at Cal International the previous Sunday. Also in the field would be Andrew Letherby (New Balance) who is a former 2:11 marathoner from Australia, Harry Norton (New Balance) who ran at Dartmouth and boasts a ~4:01 mile PR, Sergio Gonzalez (Puma) who has run impressive times on the roads and track. It should also be noted that Kevin Sullivan was in the field who has a mile PR of 3:50. Word on the street was that he ran an out of shape 4:26 mile the other week to check his fitness baseline.

My warm up kept getting longer and longer as the race was pushed back. I jogged around with several individuals hoping to stay loose and warm. In the end, I wound up talking with lots of friends instead from Nuun, TGA, and accounts. Upon lining up near the front of the field, the Star Spangled Banner was aired over the speakers and I joked with Kevin Sullivan that if he waited long enough they would play Oh Canada for our citizens to the north.

The signal was given and we were off to the races. I started in about 15th position and noticed Kevin was sitting off my right shoulder for the first 600m. Something just wasn't right about that scene. He quickly moved up to near the lead group as I slowly picked off a few guys. We climbed the only riser on the course that isn't steep, nor long, but just enough to make it hurt. The fact that you have to run up it four times over the course is a cruel punishment to ruin fast times.

I was just off the back of the lead pack approaching the mile, and may have even latched on momentarily before the first steep descent. My arms and legs pinwheeled downhill when might tight right hamstring let me know you wouldn't be running with the leaders anymore this morning. My formed remained strong and my lungs were relatively comfortable, but I couldn't make up ground on anyone in the field. I could see a good battle shaping up out front and would have loved to be in the mix, it just wasn't meant to be. I spent the rest of the race chasing a guy in a Spira uniform and couldn't believe I wasn't making up ground.

It's been a while since I raced a 5k and it felt like I was sprinting the entire way. Again, my lungs felt good so aerobically my fitness is coming along, but I had nothing in terms of turnover. The legs were definitely a bit tired and showed it on the third and fourth climbs up the annoying riser. Last year, I ran 15:22 and was pleased with the effort. I was certain that the pace I was running and considering the talent in the field that the overall times would be much faster. When I approached the line and say I was well over 15:30, I had to be a little disappointed. I thought running 15 to 20 seconds faster wasn't too much to ask. Nobody ended up breaking 15:00 whereas last year Darren Brown ran 14:49.

To get a little more in depth on the results and make me feel better about my lackluster time, last year Lorin Wilson (RunTex) ran 15:09 for 3rd, this year he was 15:27 for 8th, I was 15:22 for 4th last year and 15:43 for 10th in 2011 and BJ Christensen was 15:37 last year for 10th and 16:04 for 16th this year. I think the course was the same and conditions were about the same in terms of weather. Coincidence that all three of us just ran 20-30 seconds slower? Perhaps.

After the race I caught up with Meagan who had a great performance to win "fastest vendor in America." She would be awarded with a heavy ass trophy later in the evening, a Timex watch and a hydration belt from a brand that won't be named. I wanted her to do something a little extra so we ran across the street and got in some pickups. The goal was to run hard based on feel and that I could listen to her breathing to determine the length of the interval. Once I could hear she was really working, Meagan would run 10-15 seconds longer and we would be done.

Splits:
(5:01), 70.68 @ 3:29 pace, (1:31), 72.21 @ 3:50 pace, (1:32), 79.90 @ 3:29 pace, (1:30), 71.60 @ 3:23 pace, (1:01), 1:21.00 @ 3:29 pace.

We cooled down with Dan Kittaka from Fleet Feet Chicago, Sergio from Puma and another guy from Puma before starting the long expo day from 10 AM to 6 PM.

And now my 2011 race season is over... Hoping 2012 brings some better times from 5k to the marathon.

1% of the Effort

Time: 61:06
Distance: ~8.6 miles
5k: 16:04.0

W/u: 23:27 for ~3 miles
C/d: 21:35 for ~2.5 miles

Sunday around noon was when I was scheduled to contribute 1% to the Charlotte Running Club's 100 x 5k World Record. I didn't have any time goals as I just wanted to go out an compete to set an honest baseline mark. Usually time trials are used to gauge how the training is going, but for me it was a way to see where my fitness levels currently are after my achilles injury.

You can see by the splits below how the race went. I started off running comfortable 37s which turned into 38s and eventually 39s. At least I didn't drop any 40s. I closed a little faster which means I got lazy the final mile of the race. I'll take it and be able to structure workouts as a 16 minute 5k guy.

Splits (scroll down. Way down):
1:15.1
1:16.6
1:16.0
1:17.2 (5:04.9)
1:17.0
1:17.0
1:17.8
1:19.2 (5:11.0)
1:18.4
1:18.5
1:18.5
1:16.8 (5:12.2)
:36.2

Trying to fake a 5k.

Gloves off as Dr. G looks on.

Handing off to 3 time DII All American...

...who takes the baton like a 3rd grader.

Photos stolen from Facebook. Credit Mark Zuckerberg.

Pancho Villa Runs

Time: 66:34
Distance: ~9.6 miles
Race: 15:22, 4th

W/u: 22:46 for ~2.5 miles
Indie 5k
C/d: 28:28 for ~4 miles

My hopes and dreams for the revolution were crushed this morning when Pancho Villa could only manage a 4th place showing at The Running Event's Indie 5k. Retailers and vendors were on hand to crown the best of the washed up in the running industry. I thought today was going to be my day when I woke up mustache and all, but it wasn't meant to be. The revolution will have to live on elsewhere.

Lee and I were up early and over to Zilker Park by 6:15 am. We didn't know what time the race actually started but knew it was around 7:00 am. It was a pretty relaxed atmosphere as a handful of vendors were setting up tents including Nuun, 2xU, Re-Gen, and more. Meagan arrived soon after and the three of us warmed up around the park. The pace on the warm up was slow and the chats were lighthearted. Lee and I want to start our own apparel company called trAchE (pronounced trash). It would be made out of all recycled goods but of the highest quality that we could scrounge up.

I signed up under Pancho Villa due to my sweet 'stache and got in a few quick strides. While preparing to race I spotted Darren Brown and Kyle Miller (both formerly of UT and now run for Rogue Equipment in Austin) lining up near the front. Also there were Keith Pierce (2:20 marathon and Austin Marathon champ), Jerry Faulkner (2:25 marathoner), Scotty D (2:26 marathoner) and a couple of other guys who looked legit.

The race went off and I found myself in the lead for the first hundred meters. It wasn't that I was running faster, just that I had run the tangent. Darren soon asserted himself at the front and basically ran away from the field while Kyle Miller chased. I looked around and hoped that I could still win the fastest vendor award because the guy in third was definitely not a rep or brand employee (turns out he runs for RunTex).

The course was tough. The first time up the hill put a dose of reality in my legs. I felt labored and didn't know how things were going to play out. Somehow around the 1k mark I felt amazing. I had slipped back into about 6th or 7th, and in my period of feeling great, I took off. It was like I had rocket boosters. Seriously.

I've only experienced the feeling a couple of times in the past and it only lasts a few minutes. I pulled wide and moved up into 5th and then solidly in 4th. I was chasing and closing the gap of 3rd when the sensation wore off. It was only 400 meters of feeling fantastic but it was enough to distance me from some of the other guys.

My mile split was only 5:05 given the early hill, but I picked it up to hit two miles in 10:01. Over the next couple of minutes I could hear another runner slowly approaching. He had monstrously loud footsteps that just slapped the pavement with authority. I couldn't imagine who it could be. I was a bit surprised when on the downhill I was caught and passed by Jerry's Kids. He opened a small gap on me that I would close during the final uphill (the damn hill we had to run up 3 times). At the apex I now had a slight advantage about 600 meters from the finish. I wasn't going to be able to catch 3rd, so I shifted my focus to keeping 4th.

I geared up for any late charge that he may have been planning and took off the final 300 meters missing the 3 mile split but managing to hit the line in about 15:20. Jerry finished two seconds back. Keith was back at 15:28. In terms of the leaders Darren ran 14:49, Kyle 15:05 and third was Lorin Wilson in 15:09. Pancho Villa lost to a dude name Lorin.

I'm pleased with how I ran given that I'm using residual fitness from this summer. I've strictly been logging miles for the past month and like knowing I can still run sub-5:00 for a 5k race in a competitive field. I can also say that after a month of triple digits I'm starting to feel incredibly strong. I think that's why I had superman powers for 400 meters today. The strength is there despite not doing anything particularly fast.

In the end I was screwed out of the vendor award because I don't actually work for any one particular brand. The Genesis Agency writes my check and not Fuel Belt, Nuun, Balega, etc. so the race director/Competitor Group didn't want to give me the credit deserved. I'm not sure why, but I think Meagan was also passed up as they recognized Sarah Bowman as the vendor winner because, you know, New Balance writes her checks. Seems a bit like they're playing favorites to me.

Dowd YMCA 5k Recap

Time: 103:19
Distance: ~13.1 miles

W/u: 17:05 for ~2 miles
5k Race: 15:26 for 1st
C/d I: 22:19 for ~2 miles
C/d II: 25:10 for ~3 miles
C/d III: 23:19 for ~3 miles

Cold morning here in Charlotte. The temps had to be in the upper 30s when I arrived to the Dowd YMCA for Let Me Run's graduation race. My group of little guys would be competed in their big 5k and I hoped the best for all of them. I hadn't plan to race hard early in the week, but then my co-coach Melissa Bell told me the guys wanted to see me crush it. I came up with a race plan of going out hard for 10 minutes, relaxing for 3 and running hard again for the final 2 mins.

I showed up to the YMCA and there was a little confusion with my entry in the race. We got things worked out and I had an abbreviated warm up around the neighborhoods that he course would be run. I felt better this weekend than I did a couple of weeks ago when I raced twice in one morning. The triple digit mile weeks now feel like a relatively normal occurrence.

I lined up at the front of the race with Let Me Run kids asking me how fast I can run a mile. I diverted their questions to the New Balance rep Mike Moran who has run a 3:43 1500m. He was in attendance as his brand sponsored the race and was giving out shoes for the victory. He wondered why I came to this relatively small race and asked if I was running hard. I told him it was for the little fellas all around.

I shot off the line pretty hard and made the turn onto Morehead well in the lead. I wanted to fly the first mile and felt good racing down the hill. I looked at my watch around the 4:22 mark, but couldn't see a mile marker. I kept pressing and eventually rounded a turn just after the 5:03 mark which is when I realized there wasn't a mile marker or clock so I was just going to have to keep pressing. I struggled for a few blocks heading into Dilworth but tried to keep my foot on the gas. I crossed two miles in 9:47 which was well short of where I wanted to be, but I was fine with it. My lead was substantial and I soon relaxed both physically off the pace and mentally for 3 minutes. It was nice that during those relaxed minutes I crested a hill and it was time to press again for the remaining downhill. I took off just as I hit the final turn and tried to catch the lead bike and police car. The final 400m was all slightly uphill and I crossed the line just under 15:30 to win by over 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

I needed to get warm so I ran to my jacket and then headed back out on the course to shuttle in all the Park Road Montessori Let Me Run guys. First up was Jay who raced to the line in a new PR of 23:15. He was soon followed by triple-C: Craig, Clay and Colin. The others ran strong to the finish with big sprints at the end. The best moment came when Adam came shuffling toward the finish line and all the boys from my group started cheering his name. They even ran out onto the course and helped him the final 100m which got Adam sprinting all the way in. It was fun seeing their enthusiasm and hard work pay off on race day.

All of the jogging back and forth with the guys served as my first cool down. I got in a second one with Mike who was a little bummed with his 18:27, but he still took 3rd. Then I got in a third cool down with Billy and Bjorn because we were all cold after waiting around for the awards. It should be mentioned that Billy ran a great race to place 2nd overall in the Dowd Half-Marathon in a time of 76:08.

I'm pleased with my race considering the miles and lack of workouts. However, today was more about the LMR guys and making the event fun for them. I was glad to run hard and actually show them a good effort. At practice I just shuffle around giving encouragement on tired legs. It was great chatting with other coaches and parents whose children had a fun experience with the best sport in the world.

Splits:
9:47 (2 miles), 5:03 (14:50 at 3 miles), 35.5 for 15:26 finish time.

Park Road Montessori LMR. L-->R: Colin, Garret, Najee, Adam, Zac, Jay, Craig, Ezra, Clay
Who's the creepy dude in the back? (photo courtesy of Laura Meier)

Mediocre Day of Racing

Time: 76:32
Distance: ~11.75 miles

W/u: 18:40 for ~2 miles
Big South 5k: 15:33 for 3rd

W/u: 6:19 for ~1 mile
Matthews Rotary Club Fall 5k: 16:20 for 2nd
C/d: 19:45 for ~2.5 miles

I should have stayed in bed this morning, but I felt like being a tough guy out on the roads. I was out the door around 6:15 am and heading down to Blakeney Shopping Center where the Big South 5k was being held. The race was putting up airline vouchers to the first person across the line and I thought I had a shot at capturing that prize. I should have know better though as I had already logged over 80 miles in 5 days.

It was incredibly cold when I first got to the shopping center and I was hesitant to register. I imagined that Matt Elliott would be in attendance and I didn't think my chances would be good given the miles on the legs. I didn't spot him until my warm up, but decided to sign up anyway. I jogged around the neighborhoods with Kent prior to putting on my singlet and racing flats.

The race started suddenly just as I was congratulated Justin Breland on getting married. I'm not sure why Queen City Timing or Run For Your Life couldn't spend the $100 for a decent starting gun. The whole 3-2-1 countdown is getting old. I settled in behind Matt but never felt comfortable. I ran close to the front as we were joined by Ricky Flynn before we hit the mile in 5:05. I was already starting to fade and ran solo the rest of the way hitting two miles in about 10:13. Ricky and Matt were up front and would duel it out to the end as I brought things home in third. I believe the course was a little short because there is little way for my final 1.1 to be 5:29 based on my early splits.

I pulled a Steven Spada and jumped in the car less than 10 minutes after the race. I quickly made it over to Matthews where the Rotary 5k was putting up some money for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I think B-Mac was a little upset when he saw that John Compton and I were in attendance. There were no mile markers on the course so I don't know splits, but I stayed close to Compton for about two miles. I basically made it to the top of a long gradual hill before my legs called it quits. John danced away from me the final mile to take the win. I crossed the line several tics beyond 16 minutes on a course that I would say was long.

After the race I picked up a spoon, bowl and ticket which I got free with my race registration. The Rotary Club of Matthews was having a Bluegrass and Chili Festival. There were probably 15 different groups each featuring their own take on chili. Some were spicy, one tasted like bbq sauce, another was made with venison, and the best was made with Angus beef. It was filling way to end the day of running, by 11:30 I was stuffed with meat and beans and in need of a nap.

Some things to take home from today's mediocre day of racing:
Don't race two 5ks on the same day when you've run more than 80 miles in the week already
A short course + a long course = 10k
Angus beef makes chili better
Find a 3rd 5k next time if you want to win
Staying out with Chris Lamperski the night before a race is a bad idea
Larry Seavers is a good pitchman as he talked me into racing last night

Race for the Ta-Tas

Time: 61:07
Distance: 8.95 miles
Race: 15:37 for 7th

W/u: 25:10 for ~3.2 miles
C/d: 20:20 for 2.65 miles

Not good, not good at all. I wasn't focused, I didn't race tough, I pansied out. This was a wake up and I need to re-focus.

I drove from Charlotte to Wilmington yesterday in order to visit some accounts and run in the Race for the Ta-Tas put on by TrySports. The race is modeled after the Skirt Chaser events where the women leave three minutes before the men and the first person across the line wins some money. In this case, it was $1,000 and I didn't think would be possible for a man to win. Turns out I was right considering Stephanie Pezzullo showed up to compete. She is coming off a sub 16:30 effort up in Providence at the CVS 5k.

First, let me express my beef with the 3 minute head start. It's way too much time to spot the ladies. Why? The difference in world records at 5k is only something like 90 to 100 seconds. I could look it up but off the top of my head the records are 12:36 for men and 14:10 for women, give or take a few seconds. To expect a male to make up 180 seconds is a bit preposterous in my opinion. But, I guess it's a race to support boobs and geared toward the ladies, so giving them an unfair advantage is how these races work. At least there was money for the top three men ($500, $250, $150). I believed I could at least get a share of that.

On the day of the race several guys showed up with a legit shot at money. On the front line was Devin Swann (ran for NC State and works at Raleigh Running Outfitters), two guys who drove all the way from Auburn University, Matt Elliott, some local guys, Chris Lamperski and Brian McMahon. I hoped for the best considering I haven't worked out in several weeks minus a couple of races.

The first mile was absolute chaos and I panicked. We didn't go out all that hard but from 600 meters to the first mile a group of 10 guys weaved in and out of traffic. I couldn't run relaxed as I was hopping up on curbs, zig-zagging back and forth and constantly being knocked around. This was my first Skirt Chaser type race and I failed miserably. I felt like I needed to be further toward the front, but couldn't make my way up there. The guys from Auburn managed to control the early tempo with the rest trying to catch up. In contrast to my panic, Devin tucked in behind Matt Elliott with the thought that he would clear out any traffic in front as Matt is a pretty big dude.

We came through the mile in 4:53 but it felt a hell of a lot harder. In the next mile Devin went to work and pushed the pace. I made it for the next 1k and then just stopped. I was in the lead pack of 5 (Devin, Matt, Auburn dudes and me) and then simply jumped off the course. I wasn't necessarily hurting, but I didn't feel good. Basically the pace felt tough, I was leaving my comfort zone and I quit. How lame is that?

I was off the course for about 20-25 seconds when I looked up and saw Chris Lamperski coming by. He looked to be hurting so I jumped back in the race with the intention of helping him out. After about a minute I started to feel good and then took off to catch a few runners that had passed me during my lapse in toughness. I ended up running 15:37 according to the clock but 15:14 according to my watch as I stopped for 23 seconds.

The guys up front went on to run pretty fast with the top 3 guys all going under 15:00 and winning money. I could have been up there. I should have been up there. But, I wasn't.

After the race I cooled down with Devin and his wife Laura. I watched the award ceremony and saw that only one of the guys who had driven 8 hours from Auburn had won money. Jean-Pierre Weerts, originally from Belgium, took home $250. There is no way that those two banked money on the trip. They drove a total of 16 hours, bought gas, needed food, and rented a hotel room all for a payout of $250.

I used to be those guys and I totally respect it. They are hungry and know the chance to win money at a road race means a lot. However, I'm not there anymore like I was in 2007 and 2008 where I would search out each and every local road race offering a small sum of money. I raced hard knowing the extra cash would go a long way. But, my mentality has definitely changed and now I'm semi-dropping out of races when it gets tough. I hope to rekindle that hunger for the cash, the roads and the pain like I had a couple of years ago. Having a steady income and proper job has altered my priorities not necessarily in a bad way, but I certainly recognize the shift. I still wish to be fast, but at what cost? I'm not balking at $150 either as that would have easily paid for the trip, however it's just not as important now. I think I learned something as a result of this race that didn't go quite according to plan.