Resolution 5K

Sunday, January 12, 2014

1^st in age group.  7^th overall out of 133.  19:25 (6:16 pace).  Full results here

Another real fun race by Mike Galoob and company.  Mile plus warm-up with Matthew, enough to get the blood moving (strange phrase, blood doesn’t move otherwise?).  Anyway, the warm-up was also enough to see the two wettest spots on the course:  a puddle smack-dab in the middle of the trail that must have been at least 10’ x 10’, and a series of puddles inside the stone house ruins.  There would be no bypassing either of these.

Geeks and their running watches
at starting line

 

... and we're off.

Heading down to the turnaround flag.

Mile 1:  First half-mile or so was tough, as it was against the wind and over a very rocky section of beach.  I thought the least Galoob could have done would be to pick up all the rocks pre-race, but he must’ve been slacking off (again).  Switched positions with Muddy, Seth, and Nate a few times, but by the turn-around flag, the dust had pretty much settled:  Muddy, then a Brit and a Turtle, then me in 9^th, then Seth and Nate right on my tail.  6:02.

Repassing the starting line, about 1 mile in

Mile 2:  Passed the Turtle (3^rd place for Turtles) and overtook the Brit just at beginning of trail as he went a little wide.  Next up were the puddles; straight through them.  Feet felt cold for a few moments again, then fine as we exited briefly onto Ocean Road, and then back into Black Point trails.  On the trails, I could see Muddy ahead of me by at least 10 yards, and I could hear competitors chasing me, especially footfalls on the muddy and wet sections.  6:26.

Crossing into the stone building ruins
Scott Mason caught me just at the right moment!

Obstacles inside the stone building
Great shot by Scott Mason

Mile 3:  Come on ... when is the trail coming to end?  The final mile completes the trail section, and takes us through the ruins of a stone building, where Scott Mason was photographing us running through more puddles.  Here I could hear some splashing right behind me.  Not knowing if it was friend or foe or frenemy, I tried to pick up the pace as I exited onto the beach.  There was no catching Muddy here; he was too far ahead and I'm not even sure I narrowed the gap at all.  Didn't really have too much left and was into the wind, so I tried to just run as efficiently as I could to finish it off.  Crossed the finish line, just barely holding off a much younger :) Seth.  6:18.

Barely holding off Seth at finish
Photo by Jana

Another great WTAC win and showing; 19 strong!  Group cool-down of 7 WTAC runners broke into two groups; Muddy, Matthew, and I trekked on for 2 miles to finish just in time for awards ceremony.  Scored a free entry to a future 4th season trail race - you'll know I'll be using this age group award!

Mud-spattered jersey
(of course Muddy took the opportunity to tell me that if I
needed "to go" that badly, there were porta-jons available)

Finishing up a group cool-down

The gang's all here, well, mostly
Where's Boumenot?
(Photos by Jana)