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Sunday September 05 2010
 

Hannukah Hustle 2009 - Race Report

Printer friendly version Posted on: Monday November 23 11:28:38 AM

Hannukah Hustle 2009 - Race Report

I went into this race, somewhat tired, unsure of my 5k fitness level. I know I am in decent marathon shape but the 5K can be a bitch, a tough race where you really need to hurt from start to finish in order to beat your best times. I have been so close several times to going under 20 (recent times of: 20:21, 20:14, 20:09, 20:09, 20:41) and I always finish thinking could I have not just pushed a bit harder in the final kilometre?

I thought I'd just go out on the appropriate pace and see what happens. I never did start my watch so I just followed my Pace readout and tried to constantly keep it under the 4 minutes per km I needed to reach my goal. I also had the joy of using Sarah as a guide as I knew she;d be in front and just tried to keep her within site. Last year, same race, we turned around at 5k and I let her go thinking I would not be able to maintain the pace and I finished 20:21. This year, same spot I decided to be strong and stick with it. I momentarily entertained the idea of saying Iwas done, no shame, run it in easy. After all, Iam not far removed from 4 marathons in a 36 day time frame, who would fault me?

Me, that's who. I'd be my own worst critic. Plough through Dave, plough through.

As we headed back on this out and back route, i saw Cam, and cheered him on, which also gave me a boost. he was not that far behind!. I saw Anita, further back than I thought she'd be. Turned out Josh's back had spasm-ed and she stopped to help him out and find a vehicle to take him back to the start. Such a shame.

I started using the old, reel 'em in technique and managed to pass a few people in the 2nd half. Occasional glances at my watch readouts were saying I was close, always reading either 3:55 - 4:05 occasionally a bit slower so I was concerned that I had not banked enough time on the initial downhill start. I got to 4km sign, 1 to go, did I have enough energy left in me for one more sub 4 minute kilometre? I had to try, I wasn't sure of my time so I just decided to give it a shot and finish as strong as possible. Then the hill, that damn hill. I just put myhead down (not the right form I know) and barreled through. I slowed slightly, as you do uphill at the end of a 5k race. I wanted to remain close enough to Sarah to hear them call out her name if she were to finish top female again. I heard nothing, but as I got within sight of the finish I heard them call the guy in front of me and thought they may have said "... in a time of 20 something" What? I missed again? I almost slowed in frustration but instead ran through the finish and glanced over at the clock....19:55...I did it. And today, I am more sore than after the marathons. A bit of a shock to the fast twitch muscle fibres!

I felt as relieved after this one as I have after any marathon. I found Sarah and we congratulated each other. She was 3rd female in a personal best time of 19:27...awesome. We turned around in time to see Cam, only 97 seconds behind me, 21:32...sick. Too bad Josh got hurt and couldn't finish. it would have been nice to see him cross that line too. Thanks to Anita for taking care of him and sacrificing what would most likely have been her best 5K time.

Next week, we do it all again, in what will be the last 'race' of the year. We will run the Santa Jingle and Resolution Runs for fun, but next weekend is a weekend of tough racing again. Sunday is the Chilly Willy half marathon in Mississauga. Another small but well run event. Saturday we head to Guelph for my first race as an official Masters Runner for Ontario Track and Field Association. It is also a 5k, but it isa Cross Country Race, no high hopes of another sub 20! I am looking forward to it though. Sunday's HM should prove to be a tough one the day after a 5k....no partying next weekend for me!


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 Posted by Dave on: Monday November 23 11:28:38 AM

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