Plano Pacers Five-mile Fling 9/27/14

 

The fall is here!  I am building my running race mileage and since we gave up on Waco ride, the local run club’s 5-mile event came in perfect timing.  September is a good month: three of my favorite guys’ birthday are all close by.  Husband, David Smith and Buddy Pete Kutheis.  Happy Birthday, Buddy Pete!

Out of those three, the biggest supporter and cheer leader, Hubby Tony, came along yet again to the nearby park, this time with whacky dog, Grace.  She got lucky being walked during my race and enjoying the race scenes.

The semester is getting closer to half way and my weight is chiseling down, but this was a monthly water-holding week and I was over weight limit after happy fried rice last night.  So I decided to declare Athena and thought MAYBE we could take a win like January 5K race.

We arrived at the park and the event was all set up and people were running for warm up.  I LOVE this club’s events!  It is close and small enough not having to worry about parking or anything, but big enough to be a competitive event.  Tony was sitting by the president of the club and said there were 200 participants today.

I put a car key in my race belt pouch and proudly wore my personalized race bib, always 4154.  We left the parking lot and did a lake loop clockwise.  At that point, I thought maybe I am about last 10 and should have not thought about winning, even Athena.  This is a run club and people are runners.  Grrrr.  After finishing the lake loop, it was just about a mile going into the woods. 

About 1.5 miles in, I can see the aid station and it was going uphill.  I saw people starting to slow down.  I usually see very first finishers about the half the distance (meaning they are running double fast), but this was way before the turning point.  At the aid station, I took the water and walked a bit.  After that, it was rather long uphill.  When I started, I felt fresh to go fin the turning point.  My heart rate was around 180, which never happens in cycling, but my breathing was still in zone 2 and my running cadence was over 180, which I was looking for. 

I finally saw the turning point and there were people who were walking.  It was not my plan, so I kept on running.  Now this is starting my turn to pass people.  I looked people ahead of me, one at a time and think if or when I could pass.  I decided to push rather hard on the uphill on the first half because it means it will become downhill.  By this time, my effort feels harder, but my heart rate is stabilized around 160.  I knew last mile to go would come in the woods, but I learned from last time, I should not start pushing until I get to the lake.  Out from the woods, I saw a couple running together in the distance.  I caught up with them at about half lake to go.  When I saw it is about half a mile to go, I picked up the breath to race breath (quick equal in and out).  I finally saw the finish and then I heard some footsteps coming fast and I sprinted out for the last time.  I looked the big clock and I thought it was about the same time as February’s Too Cold to Hold.  It was a wonderful way to feel like a runner!  THANK YOU, the organizers and volunteers and thank you, Tony and Grace for coming along!
 

Plano Pacers Five-mile Fling: Start 9/27/14 (LONG)

http://youtu.be/cmVFUcI3lBI

Plano Pacers Five-mile Fling: Out of Parking Lot 9/27/14 (LONG)

http://youtu.be/vgB0bOI3pGU

Official results 
2nd Athena and 95 out of 125!  Garmin watch said I had the fastest 5K and fastest mile of 9:33.

Garmin data

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/599900195