Race Report: 13th annual Blarney Run
Where: Hart Park: Wauwatosa, WI
Weather: probably about 42F, but there was quite a breeze at some points,
so it felt a little colder.
Course: Started and finished on track, out and back, with an extra little
loop on the back part to make another out and back within the original back
part. So it went like this: Out - Ba -Out-Back- ck. Well marked, with
people telling you your times at the mile marks. Water available. Finish
had fruits and breads and water and gatorade. Parking decent.
Runners: 596.
My Time / place: 13th overall, 1/10 AG (20-24)
Results: badgerlandstriders.org4BLARNEY.ASPOpen ↗
Story time: I had been looking forward to this race for a
while. Not only was I anxious to do a race (my last one was
in January), but I knew this race attrached a decent field
despite being in the middle of March. I got a decent warm up
in, and shedded all excess clothing and took to the starting
line and did some strides and felt pretty ready. I then took
my spot on the starting line and blinked, and I was
instantly 3 rows back. "Hey! What the.
. " I thought. The gun went off, and I got a lousy start.
The runners went
3/4ths of the way around the track and exited, heading out
and into the parkway.
1st mile: This felt pretty good, I went by at 5:40, and I
thought this was okay, given the hills and the wind and the
crummy start.
2nd mile: 11:36. Ugh. Somehow, my back really tightened up
at about the
4.5 mile mark and it is getting really uncomfortable.
Actually considering dropping out of a 5K race. I felt
like I was running with my teeth clenched, yet I felt like
I was hardly moving.
3rd mile and finish: 18:18. My usual long strided glide has
been replaced by an ugly bounce. I can hear the steps of
the runner behind me. I wish they would just push me into a
ditch and get it over with. As we enter the track for the
finish, I sense I am about 2.5 steps ahead of the next
runner. I now employ the worse race strategy known to man,
which is "hope for the best." The runner behind me surges,
and pulls even. This runner was the first female runner and
I continue to "lumber" along. ("Lumber" is not a good
running style, especially for the last push of a race). I
attempt to push ahead, and even pull ahead by 3 strides
with about 150m left. However, in the back of my mind, I
knew I was toast. The other runners knew I was toast. The
15 people in the stands knew I was toast. My back wouldn't
let me kick it to the finish, and the best I could do was
stride it out to the finish line. The first female runner
passed me, and a male runner (he was 2nd 45-49) came even.
Some how, I was able to beat him to the finish line. I
stumbled through the chute holding my back, gave the finish
line attendants my tag and then leaned against a fence to
attempt to get some relief.
Post race: walked to my car and put on fresh clothes. Went
back and got food, and then went inside a building and saw a
group of people "curling" on the small indoor ice rink. Went
back outside and found the results. I laughed when I saw
that I was 1st in my age group. Went to the awards ceremony
and got my medal.
Back update: Quite sore right now. Don't know what exactly
caused this but I think it maybe because of not enough speed
work in my training. Actually, right now my legs feel fairly
fresh, which leads me to believe that I have a great base
right now, but my speed work is a bit lacking. Having hills
and wind to contend with during the race caused me to work
harder, and the greater stress on my legs muscles caused my
back to hurt. I think a greater emphasis on speed work with
my regular mileage will help. I think I will live though.
-Aaron TheYAM.net