Jennifer Tinney Memorial Race - 5 Miler

Official Results:  5th OA, 1st AG M30-39, Time: 30:28 (6:06/mile)

I first have to start off saying that I am not that surprised that I was slower than last years time.  I haven't been putting in the training miles to run a race of this distance competitively.  I would have liked to have beat last years time, but it just was not attainable.  The good thing is that it gives me a good idea of how much work I need to get ready for the Falmouth Road Race next month in order to post a great time. 

Jess and I arrived at the race site at 7:15am and after getting home last night from our 3rd of July party around 11pm, we were tired this morning.  Since it was still raining when we got there I ran out to pick up our t-shirts and my race number.  Jess ended up waiting in the car to avoid the rain since she was doing the 2.5 mile walk.  The good thing was that the rain ended about 15 min before the start.  While Jess waited I was able to find an overhang at the Boxford Community Center to stretch out and do my normal pre-race warm ups. 

We lined up right on time and after the gun went off, we weren't out to a fast start, which was nice even though my first mile was way to fast for where I wanted to be.  I hung with the starting group and ended up taking the lead just after the first mile and by the second mile I couldn't keep the pace.  I should have run with a better strategy, instead of just running that hard for the first 2 miles.  By mile 3 to 3.5 I was done!  I had hit my wall since my longest runs so far have only been 3 to 4 miles.  With a little more than a mile to go the two runners behind me had caught up with me and I had dropped from 3rd to 5th.  After that I felt like I had to just do what I could to get to the finish and keep this at my training pace and dropped to a 6:15 to 6:20 pace. 

Overall I was a little bummed out with the performance, but the good thing is that I have my health and Jess there to support me.  I am just hoping that I can get more training and miles in to really get prepped for Falmouth and the Call to Honor Triathlon in September.

Dan Ford Road Race 5K

Official Results: 2nd OA, 1st AG M30-39, Time: 17:41.8 (5:42/mile)

This was the first time I had ever entered this race and after the 5k I did a couple of weeks ago I figured I would try and do another one. I enjoy 5k distance right now since it helps as speedwork, but also because I haven't had the time to really train for any long distances since my training has been very spotty.

I had found out about this race from the 5k I did a few weeks ago and ended up signing up for it a few days before. Although, after I signed up my groin injury from previous years started acting up since it was very tight. After a rigorous strecthing routine for the week I was finally able to run.

Race morning my parents had ended up coming up for the day to watch the race but also because they wanted to come up for lunch with Jess and I. The start of the race was a little confusing because they didnt mention that the 5 Mile would start first and the 5k was to start a few minutes after the 5 mile start. Needless to say they should have started them both at the same time since it added to the confusion and mess at the end since there were people that entered the 5k but started when the 5 mile started.

The race went well for me since it wasn't a hard effort race because I hadn't run all week and I only had one 4 mile run after the previous 5k a few weeks ago. I was more than happy with the final results since I hadn't planned on taking 2nd overall. However, an hour and half after the race was over the results still were being sorted because while I was out on the 5k course there were people that had started with the 5 mile start so when they crossed as part of the 5k it screwed up the results. The good thing was that after many complaints from people they finally got it right. Overall I ended up with $150 in prize money, but the overall experience leaves a bad taste in my mouth because of all the disorganization. The awards portion was even worse because it ended up being a free for all and they should have annouced them all individually. The race could be better run, but I think since the race is still young they are still working through the kinks. It is only the 4th time they've done this race. The good thing is that the money raised from everyone that did the race helps cancer patients and families.