View Workout (Anthony Belber)

Return to Log

Manna 5km Race in Rock Creek Park

March 27, 2010 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 35 and bright sun

Comments:
Talked myself into racing this morning. Drove to Rock Creek Tennis Center and ran out and back nearly the first mile of the course (down hill and back up). Did drills and striders, got increasingly nervous when I realized an extremely fast looking African man was watching my pre-race routine, affixed number, sipped water, exhaled at the start line when I realized the lithe man who'd been watching me was just passing by and wasn't actually going to be in the race.

At the start I went out comfortably in second or third concerned about the 29 year-old who'd spoken to me before the race because he'd remembered doing a training run with me 8 years ago. He mentioned running 6 minute pace at last week's half marathon. I made a decision not to let the tall red head who was racing with headphones beat me. I accelerated on the 1200m downhill which comprised most of the first mile and pulled 10 seconds ahead of the 29 year-old. (Leaving the music man to finish 4th or so.) I felt extremely comfortable at the mile mark (5:07 hill-aided). The middle mile-and-a-half was pancake flat along Beach Drive (out and back course). I missed taking the 2 mile split, but it was about 10:45 (~5:38). Maintained steady controlled effort up the 1200m long return hill, hit the 3 mile mark at 16:47 (~6:02), and managed a 29 second final .1 mile sprint on the flat to win it 13 seconds ahead of the 29 year-old. (17:16 total time with a 5:34 mile average I think.)

Took an easy 3 mile cool-down along trails and back up the hill yet again. Won a 7-course dinner for 10 at Marakesh. Generally pleased. The ridiculous positive splits can be chalked up to the topography I hope. For a race a ran alone and with little motivation, I was satisfied with effort, but I also know that I didn't have to work and it is a little embarrassing how easily I accept that. Easy wins shouldn't be as satisfying as hard fought races where I walk away knowing I gave it all... But they are still fun. I came looking for a strong tempo effort type workout, and I certainly got that. I also wanted to sharpen up my race focus two weeks out from the Cherry Blossom 10 miler, and I sort of did that. I learned that I'll have to run harder.