Nov 29, 2015 Hot Buttered Run 5k - 26:35; 8:33 split
Age Group: 4/12 Males: 52/206 Overall: 84/726
After completing a half marathon in September, I had to put another race on the calendar. This time, I want to see how much I could rev the engine, and for a big guy like me, the Hot Buttered Run was the obvious choice. With my thick blood and hefty frame, I overheat easily, so the early morning winter run proved cold enough to keep me cool for the sprint. I took off near front of the 8 min pacers, and knew I couldn't just ease into this like I do my longer races. I was off at 90%, putting some distance between myself and the rest of the pack, not expecting to keep the lead, but I wanting to give it a shot. Since this was a "C" race, I could afford to try different race strategies to see how my body reacts and how much it can handle. A mile into it, I started to feel that annoying little stitch in my side, and slowed slightly to catch my breath.
As faster runners went by, I still was gaining on others. I would pick a target, and reel them in, one by one. Pretty soon I was two miles in and saw an incline in the distance. In a sea of red santa hats, there was one that was blue. It caught my eye, and I knew I had to get there. As I sped down the hill I was on, letting my body give into gravity and fall into an all out sprint, I made up half the distance. It took another half mile to catch santa, and when I did, he didn't want to give in. I tried to pass, but he quickened his step. We held together all the way on the straight away, but when we hit the next incline, I leaned forward just slightly to let my body do some of the work, and powered my legs up the hill, putting space between us. I turned down the last city block and was ready to take the finish line when I noticed a noise coming up behind me. In a moment, someone was passing me, and before I knew what I was doing, I let out a barbaric yawp and used my arms as if I could pull myself to the finish. But it was too late. By the time I crossed the finish, the kid had kept his two step lead. I gave him an 'attaboy and a slap on the back, but when I looked at the splits, although I had beat santa, I realized I was outstepped by a 15 year old. Humbled, I'll have to stay focused on my age group ranking, where I can live with fourth place finish for my first 5k in a long time. Next year I'll have to get my own blue santa hat, and make everyone chase me.