2011 Chuy's 5k Race Report
Ahh tradition. I used to do this race because it was in my neighborhood, and I could just run there as a warmup. That's no longer really the case. But I did it again this year anyway. Its the only stand-alone 5k in Austin that I've run. Sooner or later I might do another one - we'll see.
I had a pretty solid race today. I was a little apprehensive though - I wasn't sure how far recovered I am from Boston. I just started running again last Saturday, and that run was just as ridiculously hard as I always expect that first one to be. Each time, it's like learning to run all over again. My brain remembers it, but my muscles don't want to cooperate. I did a couple short runs on Tuesday and Thursday as well - both of those felt a lot better, but I didn't know how it would go today.
The plan was just to go out and see if I could run somewhere near 6 minute miles for the whole thing. If I could do that, I knew it would be a PR. But also, lingering in the back of my mind was the painted wooden fish. I still wanted one, as silly as it may seem. I just entered the 35-39 age group a few weeks ago, and I'm faster than I have been going into this race in the past. I thought that both of those things would probably improve my chances of getting one.
For those who don't know, the prize for finishing top 3 in your age group at this race is a wooden fish plaque thing. It's super cheesy. In 2008, I thought I finished 3rd in my AG, and got all excited only to find out that I actually finished 4th by a few seconds. Ever since then, I have had an irrational desire to win one. I want to mount it prominently on the wall in my office, as long as it won't get me fired.
But going back to the race for a moment (and it will only take a moment, because damn.. 5k is a short race!), I pretty much nailed the plan. My mile splits were 6:04, 6:06, 6:03, and then 35 seconds for that final 0.1 mile, for a total of 18:48. I finished 34th overall and (drum roll....) 5th in my AG.
Still no fish. But that's a 31 second PR, so I will take it! And I really am getting closer to catching that fish, even though I keep missing the top 3 by a slot or two. In my AG this year, the top spot went to 18:18, #2 and #3 were both 18:38, and then #4 and I were 18:48. And my overall time and finishing position year-on-year are getting steadily better (let's forget about 2010 for a moment.) So maybe next year.
On a slightly different note - a friend of mine recently sent me a really cool email. She told me (paraphrasing) that its neat that I learn from each race and apply that to the next one. On my drive home I was trying to really figure out what I learned from today's race. I racked my brain, and I couldn't come up with anything. Then I took my bib off. This is what it looks like on the front:
Note the odd stain in the middle (no.. I know what you are thinking.. its not blue Gatorade). You can barely see it, because it is coming from the back of the bib:
What did I learn from this race? Never fill out your emergency contact information with a gel pen. At least not if you expect to sweat a little. Ballpoint or sharpie from here on out.
I had a pretty solid race today. I was a little apprehensive though - I wasn't sure how far recovered I am from Boston. I just started running again last Saturday, and that run was just as ridiculously hard as I always expect that first one to be. Each time, it's like learning to run all over again. My brain remembers it, but my muscles don't want to cooperate. I did a couple short runs on Tuesday and Thursday as well - both of those felt a lot better, but I didn't know how it would go today.
The plan was just to go out and see if I could run somewhere near 6 minute miles for the whole thing. If I could do that, I knew it would be a PR. But also, lingering in the back of my mind was the painted wooden fish. I still wanted one, as silly as it may seem. I just entered the 35-39 age group a few weeks ago, and I'm faster than I have been going into this race in the past. I thought that both of those things would probably improve my chances of getting one.
For those who don't know, the prize for finishing top 3 in your age group at this race is a wooden fish plaque thing. It's super cheesy. In 2008, I thought I finished 3rd in my AG, and got all excited only to find out that I actually finished 4th by a few seconds. Ever since then, I have had an irrational desire to win one. I want to mount it prominently on the wall in my office, as long as it won't get me fired.
But going back to the race for a moment (and it will only take a moment, because damn.. 5k is a short race!), I pretty much nailed the plan. My mile splits were 6:04, 6:06, 6:03, and then 35 seconds for that final 0.1 mile, for a total of 18:48. I finished 34th overall and (drum roll....) 5th in my AG.
Still no fish. But that's a 31 second PR, so I will take it! And I really am getting closer to catching that fish, even though I keep missing the top 3 by a slot or two. In my AG this year, the top spot went to 18:18, #2 and #3 were both 18:38, and then #4 and I were 18:48. And my overall time and finishing position year-on-year are getting steadily better (let's forget about 2010 for a moment.) So maybe next year.
On a slightly different note - a friend of mine recently sent me a really cool email. She told me (paraphrasing) that its neat that I learn from each race and apply that to the next one. On my drive home I was trying to really figure out what I learned from today's race. I racked my brain, and I couldn't come up with anything. Then I took my bib off. This is what it looks like on the front:
Note the odd stain in the middle (no.. I know what you are thinking.. its not blue Gatorade). You can barely see it, because it is coming from the back of the bib:
What did I learn from this race? Never fill out your emergency contact information with a gel pen. At least not if you expect to sweat a little. Ballpoint or sharpie from here on out.