Ted Moore 5K Race 2019

Yes, so it’s only a 3.1 mile race AND it’s a small local run to benefit the pledge against drunk driving but it’s a race and because of that, I had to put my 5K race “hat” on. I don’t like that 5K “hat”. The effort is going to be hard because it’s a shorter distance and the lungs will burn and the legs will feel weak but it has to be done to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

My bib, a tee shirt, a travel cup, bag, and informational pamphlets were the “bling” of the day.

The course is right across the street so no excuses for practice makes perfect. The Boston Marathon was on April 15^th. I took a little time off then began gentle running around MVCC, the Ted Moore 5K course on April 20^th. My legs felt fine as with each run I progressed in distance and speed. I think a little bit of an upper respiratory “thing” was making my effort feel more strained that it should for a couple of weeks but come race day, everything kicked in.

Race morning, Zoey and I went out for a 1.77 mile easy warm up at 6:15 am. Took a 5 hour energy shot, ate a banana and ¼ pc of bagel around 7:30 am. At 7:45, I ran over to get my bib and ran home, 1 mile. Ted and I left for the start at MVCC at 8:40 am. The temperature was perfect, 50 degrees. No chip timing, just a casual race, crossing a simple starting line and simple finish line with a timer clock. Positioning closer to the front was advantageous in this circumstance since time was based on the blast of the horn.

The first mile leaves MV parking lot heading up a slight incline towards the library, across the grass and down the sidewalk. It is not a closed road race so side walk running is preferred. Turn right at the church towards the hill to enter the parking lot again at MVCC. This first mile was a pace of 7:39. It didn’t feel to bad but I was breathing hard and trying to pass people on the narrow sidewalk. Turning to the hill up to the parking lot felt better than expected. We crossed the lot, turning left then down the short hill next to the football field. Turning right at the projects to the end of Armory Drive, right again back towards MV along the gravel path.

I find the dirt path run difficult because it’s not an easy take off from gravel as it is pavement. I was still running well and passing more people who slowed in this 2^nd mile. Second mile pace was 7:35. Feeling good and keeping my sights on the only girl I saw in front of me. I wanted to be the first female but that wouldn’t happen because there was a speedy gal I didn’t even see, finishing in the top 10. As we progressed up the gravel path, crossing the parking lot entrance and up towards the library again, the pace got tougher but there was only a mile to go. HANG ON! Turning right at the library then right again back to the upper quad and down towards the gym. The third mile pace was 7:23. It was then that I spotted a girl way up in front so I just worked on pushing passed the girl immediately in front of me. Took the turn at the gym, heard the girls mother call out “get her” (meaning for her to catch up to me), thought I was home free but she sped past JUST as we crossed the finish. Turned out we both had the same finish time of 23:26.