Race 12: Run For The Roses 5k

Each year, I want to make the effort to participate in some kind of racing series.  I know that I may not be able to run every race due to scheduling conflicts, but I would make effort to try and get 'credit' for participating in the series.  For 2019, I decided to participate in the Second Empire Grand Prix, which is a conglomeration of fifteen races.  To be considered a participant in the series, I just have to run eight out of fifteen.  I saw the dates and felt that was doable and started to get signed up!

The 39th Run for the Roses 5k is the second race in the Second Empire series but the first of the eight races that I plan to run for the year.  Since it was only a 5k, I didn't do much training.  The bigger issue is that I have my first half-marathon for the year in about six weeks and I haven't been training like I should for that..!  Nevertheless, the extent of my training was to try and do some tempo runs ahead of time.

The race was a little different in the fact that it was during a Sunday afternoon and not an early Saturday/Sunday morning like most races.  Nevertheless, it was pretty chilly, in the mid 40s.  This was after earlier weekly temps that approached 70 degrees.  The race took place at Dorothea Dix Park, which also happens to be the largest park in Raleigh.

Arriving a bit early, I went to registration to pick up my bib and get my participant shirt.  It's a long-sleeved shirt that has a heathered red color to it.  I could already tell that the cotton blend was pretty soft and would be comfortable to run in.  

Front

Back

Throwing the shirt over my shoulder, I immediately went ahead and got into line for the bathroom.  I already had to go since I had slammed some water before leaving and wanted to get it all out of my system.  Dropping off my shirt at the car, I sauntered to the start area.

My goal was to finish my run at a sub 10:00/mile pace.  I typically run and train running closer to an 11:30-12:00 pace so I knew that I would be pushing it a little bit to get there but that at only a 5k, it wouldn't kill me to try to exert a little more effort for a change.

For this race, they introduced a $250 first place prize.  Using the finishing times of the previous year, they gave the competitive female runners a head start using the delta between the best men's finisher and the best women's finisher, then allowed for the men to start after that time.  Once they got moving, the rest of the group was free to move at a much slower pace.  I started in the back per the usual because I know I'm slow.

I had my phone with me to run my Nike app to track my progress.  Of course it doesn't seem to be working correctly when I first get into my run, but eventually it settles itself.  From there I just casually run my race, finding a runner that I use as a pacer of sorts before I opt to pass and continue on.  First mile is a breeze.  At around the halfway point is a water station but honestly for me I had no need to stop at a station for this short a race so I just churned ahead.  Keeping tabs on my watch, I realize I'm right at a 10:00 pace, so just need to hold steady.  2 miles in the books.

I didn't anticipate the course to be as hilly as it was.  During the last mile, there were several uphill portions that had a hand in draining me.  Considering that my neighborhood is hilly and that's where I run, I didn't struggle too much but I did pull away from a lot of the folks I was around during these sections.  Looking back, I figure that I may have only been passed by one person during the duration of the race.

Soon I was passing the 3 mile marker and turning for home.  I had enough in the tank to activate the 'afterburners' and finish the race.  My 'official' time said 32:38 but according to my app, I averaged out at a 9:59 mile.  I'll take that as a win!  Also found out that the winner of the race was a guy, so they were able to catch the best female runners to get the grand prize.  On the upside, female finishers received a rose for finishing the race.  Since I'm a guy, I got nothing.  I think next year they should hand me a rose anyway so I can give it to a special lady afterwards.

At the end of the race, there were bananas, oranges, granola bars and chips to go with gatorade and water.  Keeping it simple, I grabbed the orange slices and a cup of gatorade.  Not to be outdone, I would eventually treat myself to a jumbo jamocha concrete at Goodberry's.  For those that might judge me for being a fatty, I bought a jumbo on purpose to share with my wife and kids.

I was slightly sore the next day but was pretty much good to go by Tuesday.  Glad that pushing it a little bit didn't leave me more sore than I had anticipated.

Glad to get the first of the eight races in the books.  Next one is the Hot Sola Mini 5k and then I'll be staring at the Mike-to-Mike Half at the end of March.