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