Well the first race of the season is upon us! I have not exactly had ideal training conditions this winter (due to school), I was really excited and nervous about this race. Would I be faster than last year? Do I remember the intensity of racing? Could I keep up with the boys from TNW?
I was starting to think that I could just show up for workouts, but couldn't translate that success into racing success. Today would be the first test.
Lining up for the start line, I searched for Gary, who would act as a semi-pace bunny for me. I knew that I would probably not beat him (unless I had an almost perfect race), but I knew that staying close would all but guarantee my goal time of under 30 minutes.
The race started, and the pace was frantic. Gary bolted out of the gate, and I decided that I would follow, since I knew that if I let him go, I would not catch up to him later. As I followed him through a blistering 3:20 1st Km (ok not blistering to everybody, but for me), I heard a voice from behind. "MIIIIKE" the voice cautioned. Was it my mind telling me to slow down? Nope, it was Chris C, who knows how fast I run and knew I was pusing it! I settled into a more desirable pace (3:40), for the next few kms, and kept Gary within my sights.
I hit the halfway mark at 14:39, but knew that the second half is definately slower. I hurried my pace up a little, and at the 5km mark, my lungs started to feel a little more normal and relaxed. I pushed the pace a little until the 7km marker, in which the last km is just a brutal test of wills. The hills look small to an observer, but when you are at 95% of your max hr, they are like mountains.
I ran through the finish in a time of 29:48, which I was thrilled about. I was 15 seconds or so behind Gary, which thrilled me even more. This race proved that I have become a stronger runner (over 3 minutes better than last year), as well as that I can run with the main TNWers.
