View Workout (Anthony Belber)

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Brant Point Runners and Daring the Blaze Virtual 5K

June 29, 2021 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 70s, some breeze, sunny, moderate humidity

Comments:
Weather was warm, but pretty decent, all in all. Didn't get out of the house as soon as I'd hoped, but jogged down Hulbert to the start line as Leah and Nate walked down Walsh to get there. Running the first half mile of the race in reverse on my way there, I was at 8 min pace. Signed in and did butt kicks, high knees, two striders, and leg swings. Felt far from ready, and the start was fairly rushed as we were trying to start before another wave of cars passed through. Wiggled around two or three others, an opted to take the lead as others seemed unfocused and reluctant.

Turning into the first rotary, a young man (rising high school junior from MA) easily passed me and opened up a few hundred meters on me before he took a wrong turn at the top of Cliff Rd hill and ended up DQd for only running 1.8 miles. Ran the rest of the race alone with fear that my positive splits would open the door for others behind me. In the end, I won by about 20-30 seconds. Post race conversations revealed that the second place finisher was Jim Congdon, a long-time island runner whose name I've heard for years. Other buddies of his were close behind, like an Irishman named Murphy.

I was working hard for all of the race. I knew that I'd run 20:18 on the course last year with Anna on her bike and my time being submitted to Daring the Blaze Virtual 5km for the win. This year I had less spring mileage under my belt and no speed work since the two short, hamstring straining workouts of April. I'd felt no pep in my striders on Monday and while the first half mile felt very natural, it was obvious by the 1200 mark that I was running on borrowed time. Splits tell the story... no idea how to pace the first 400, recognition that I had to decelerate after that. Typical out of shape fading over the second mile and straining to maintain form up the hill at 1.5miles. Fighting my fatigue and desperately trying to maintain cadence, focus, and form for the next mile. Willing myself to kick from 800 out (helped by the downhill at 600m). Up on my toes for the final 200 with my calves feeling the effect the next day for sure. All in all, I fought hard, and was grateful to come in under 20, but seeing as my last formal 5km was 1:20 faster, I know I have my work cut out for me.
~400m: 1:25
880m: 2:59
mile: 6:14
2 mile: 12:51 (6:36)
5km: 19:47 (meaning the 3rd mile was probably sub 6:30)