Carriage Hill 5k

This race took place at Carriage Hill Metropark in Huber Heights on Wednesday.  I'm a little behind because I was out of town for a few days.  This was my fifth race sponsored by the Ohio River Road Runners Club.  Surprisingly, despite doing around 76 races over the years, this was my first ever trail race.  Seventy-five percent of my training is on some tough trails so it's surprising that this was my first trail race.

We were supposed to start at 7:00, but there were so many people still needing to register that the start was delayed until 7:15.  The race director then told us at the start line that the course was actually 3.4 miles instead of 3.1.  I actually think it was around 3.5.  That actually took some pressure off so I wouldn't worry about breaking 22 minutes.  There was no way I could do so on a longer course in hot, humid weather.

I'll tell you how my first trail race went.  Within a half mile it was like falling in love with running all over again.  Seriously.  The trail wasn't too technical, but there were enough up-downs, tree roots to avoid, branches to duck under, and ruts to dodge to make it fun.  There's something different about trail running.  It's not glamorous and you can get pretty dirty, but it's a blast. 

I don't have splits for this race since there were no mile markers.  All I can go on is that I felt great!  I ran a conservative pace for the first mile or so.  Then I started picking them off one at a time.  In a half mile stretch somewhere in the middle portion I passed twelve people.  This is what I've been missing with my recent 5ks and I hope it continues.  I played back and forth with another runner for quite some time before I was finally able to pass him for good.  Battles like that keep you focused on the race and not on the pain.  The final mile was fast as I tried to catch up to some runners 75 meters ahead of me.  I wasn't able to catch them but it made for a strong finish.  My time was 26:07.  I was surprised to receive a nice little trophy for finishing 4th in my age group.  Not bad at all for my first trail race.  I will definitely be running more of these.

The next adventure will be my first 10k since 2002.  I'll be honest, this distance scares me.  I'm really not sure how to pace myself in a 10k.  It will be a challenge.

Next race: Ralph Wade 10k- Springboro, OH

Run for Recovery 5k/Fall Schedule Finalized

I headed up to Troy to finish out this three 5ks in two weeks gauntlet.  I always run a race on the 4th, but wanted to relax on the 4th this year.  It rained a few hours before the race so it was hot and humid.  This race was held at Duke Park and if you ever get the chance, check it out.  It is a gorgeous park.  Here is my brief race report.

Mile 1- We started by running the inner loop of the bike path for the first mile.  It was pretty flat and fast despite the constant turns.  I felt great at the beginning and my stride felt pretty good.  My goal was to hit the first mile in seven minutes (rather than the ridiculous 6:23 I hit at last week's 5k).  I came close as the first mile went by in 6:53.

Mile 2- Slowed down a bit as always, but still felt pretty good.  We finished the interior loop and started on the outer loop.  There were fewer turns here, which really helped.  I started pacing another runner and it soon became a game of cat and mouse.  I passed him, he passed me.  The second mile clicked off in 7:16 (14:09).

Mile 3-  I passed my opponent for the final time and tried to kick it in for the last mile, but the humidity was having none of it.  I couldn't really start my kick until the last half mile or so.  The third mile went by in just over seven minutes and I hit the finish line in 22:06.  Even though I just missed my goal of breaking 22 minutes, I was pretty happy with this time.  It seems that getting the kind of times I was getting last year in 5ks just isn't in the cards this year.

This was a pretty good race and very well organized.  I really like races that stick with bike paths and off the roads.  They had plenty of food afterwards, including brats and burgers.  Not too bad at all.

I've finalized my Fall racing schedule and here's what I've signed up for: Little Miami Half Marathon in August, Air Force Half Marathon in September, Columbus Marathon in October, and the Louisville Sports Commission Half Marathon in November.  I may fit in a few 5ks in the Fall, but not as many as last year.

Next race: Carriage Hill 5k- Huber Heights, OH