Saturday, May 7, 2011

I-Drive 5K Run - Race Report

It was cool this morning and there was a very light breeze.  Perfect conditions for a race.  It did start to get a little warm on the course, but nothing major.  The drive down to the tourist corridor on I-4 was easy, but traffic was snarled once we got onto International Drive.  My girlfriend drove us, so I hopped out of the car about half a mile from the race area.  It was a nice warmup.  I got to take my time jogging by the new Peabody Hotel.  I didn't have time to look at during the race for obvious reasons.  That hotel turned out really nice.

I lined up about 3 people back from the start, so I got off at my own pace.  The first half mile was completely in the shade of buildings, so that was perfect.  I hit the first mile at 6:39.  I knew that I had to be around 6:45 to have a decent 5k, so I started well.  I slowed a little on the second mile.  It wasn't getting too hot, but the sun was in your face for most of it.  I hit the 2 mile clock at 14:04, so that was a split of 7:25.


The last mile was a straight stretch and at least the sun was at your back.  I felt like I was struggling to keep up and I started getting passed by a few people.  Every time someone went by, I used them as motivation to push a little more and keep my pace.  I also kept reminding myself of my speed work and tried to break the mile up into stretches that were like laps on the track in my mind.  I hit the 3 mile marker at 21:48.  My goal was to be there at 21:30 assuming that I continued at the same pace through the finish.  That would hit my goal around 22:15.  Of course, I was a little after my goal, but you also don't finish the last tenth of a mile at the same speed.  That last mile split was 7:44, so I dropped off again.  I finished in 22:25 and they actually announced my name as I was coming across the finish line!!!  That was fun to hear my name on the PA system.

Overall, there weren't too many turns.  It was a very flat course and the temperature was cool to moderate for central Florida.  The finish area was a little cramped, but everything was in the shade of the building at Pointe Orlando.  I liked it.  I will definitely run this race again.

9 comments:

NattyBumpo said...

Nice race. I think those days of pushing a 7 minute mile are long behind me now. Too many years away from running to have kept that kind of speed in the legs.

Bob said...

I agrree with NattyBumpo. Good race!

Alan Dent said...

Great race!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Congrats

Unknown said...

congratulations, sounds like a good race. (ps i love when they attempt to anounce my name while coming across the finish line as well.)
http://beboldrunwild.blogspot.com/

Doug said...

Thanks everyone. Until I can run a mile under 6 again and I average low 6's in a 5k, I don't think I will be happy. I talked to an old friend from my cross country team at the race this past Saturday and he told me that I need to get down around 150-155 pounds to get the times I want. I tend to agree with him. I am hovering in the low 170 range and have been increasing my cross training and core workouts to complement my running. If I lose another 15-20 pounds over the summer, I should be hitting some good times by winter 2011/2012.

Kate Geisen said...

Man, that's fast. I know you didn't hit your goal, but still a good race!

Anonymous said...

And *this* would confirm my regret that I opted, instead, to head to Lakeland in the evening for the Mayfaire, which was a hot disaster. I should have made myself get up earlier for the last of the cooler temps, particularly since I had tapered and everything. :(

Katie said...

Congrats!! You got very close to your goal time, awesome :D You totally got sub 22 next time ;)