Sunday, May 17, 2009

Great Cape May Footrace 5k

The Great Cape May Footrace was held this past Saturday, May 16. The last time I ran this, back in 2006, the course started in the same place, outside the Beach Theatre, and ended in the middle of Cape May, in a nice commons's area. The course is totally different now, it and out and back along the beach. I liked the old course, as you didn't have to worry about the wind, which you do, running along the ocean. The wind was a tail wind for the 1st mile+, and of course, in your face the last 1+.

I was excited for this race, since it was my 1st 5k since last December. I had an idea for a finishing time, sub 22, and knew if I was around that time, I would have a chance for an age group top 3 finish.

I made it a point, when I got to the race, to do some light running, loosen up the legs a bit, and I actually stretched too. The weather was perfect, highs around 60deg. Only drawback was a wind, I'm guessing it was around 15mph sustained out of the south west.

It was a nice crowd, about 200 runners combined for the 5k & 10k. For a race that size, it was chip timed. Everyone started with the gun, and crossed the pad at the finish.

I started near the front, and took off at the start. I was flying, and I had a feeling I was going out way too fast. I was being the typical rabbit runner I am. Thank god for the pace crews in the marathon, otherwise I would blow up early!

I hit the 1st mile in 6:39! Wow.. I knew I went out fast, but didn't expect to be that quick. It is a wind aided 1st mile, but still I was 20 seconds faster than I wanted to be. At about the 1-1/2 mark, the 5k runners stayed straight, and the 10k runners hung a left. A little past that mark, we hit the turnaround point, and headed back to the start/finish line. I was counting 5k runners, and I counted around 10 in front of me, and had an idea if I held my spot, I might have a chance at a top 3 age group. One bad thing about this new course, you had to run through the 10k runners making the turn, when we were headed back. It was a little chaotic. They need to do something about that. It was at that point I started to feel the result of going out too fast. I hit the 2nd mile mark at 7:07. I had slowed down by almost a 1/2 minute! That's not good in a 5k!

I was just in survival mode at that point, and wanted to hang onto my place, and not let anyone pass me. Funny thing, I was listening to "live" music on my Ipod, so the crowd sounds had me thinking someone was right up on me. Maybe it helped motivate me to hang on.

I did the 3rd mile in 7:40! Ouch... I had lost a shot at a PR, and did the last .1o in .53 secs.

I was thinking about Ted's post here the other day, when he predicted my time of 22:12. He was close, I saw the 22:12 tick away, chuckled to myself, and crossed in 22:19.

If this was last year, I would have been thrilled with my time, but I know better today, than how I ran this race. I need to slow the "F" down at the start, and not get caught up in the excitement.

One good thing about this race, is not only can you get water, a bagel, orange slices or a banana, but you can get a beer!
Yes! 9:30 in the morning, and I had the 1st beer of the day!

All in all, it was a good time. I will learn from this, and try and run at a steady pace. If the mile splits were in reverse order, it would have been the best race, but I strive to make the last mile my best.

I did get the finish I wanted! 7th overall, and 2nd in my age group! Funny thing, the 1st overall women finisher, ran with a baby stroller! My hats off to her. She finished 3rd overall, and to do that pushing a stroller.. that's awesome.


22:19

1. 6:39

2. 7:07

3. 7:40

.10 :53

10 comments:

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Congrats on your 2nd place finish and 7th overall!! Well done! :D

Dan Seifring aka "OBRATS" said...

Awesome job Bill, way to bring home the hardware.

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Great job, man! You really FLEW that first mile!

Beer at 9:30 - man, that is Teh Awesome. I ran a 5k this past weekend, too, but they didn't have any beer.

Propz to the woman with the stroller! Geez, talk about being chicked! Haha!

Girl In Motion said...

Congratulations!! Even with the fast start you won an award, that's fabulous. Love the pics, too!

Vava said...

Wow, that was a speedy first mile! Way to hang on for a great placing. That wind sounds like a pain for sure. Nice run and pics. And 22:19 is nothing to sneeze either. I will take from your experience and try to hold back at the beginning when I run my first 5K this Saturday.

Unknown said...

Shhhhawwwww.... I was only off by a measly 7 seconds on the prediction. My phone was ringing off the hook by a lot of bookies in Las Vegas. Just kidding. Must be your special black kicks! You really took off and you rock the entire way. Congrats on your 2nd place finish and 7th overall. (and you only got a nice bling but no money?)

Progman2000 said...

Nice race dude - I am due to get out there on the 5k course myself.

joyRuN said...

Congrats!!! One of these days, I WILL find a 5K where I'm not working the night before :)

Unknown said...

That's awesome! Great job!

sRod said...

Awesome race!