Total Fitness Connection 5K, Dave's first race of 2007

[windwalker]

It was a beautiful day in Southern Ky for a race. The temp was 62, overcast with a gentle breeze. The sun came out just about the time the race started.

I woke up feeling pretty good even though I've had a cold all week and coughing a lot at night. I waited to decide what to wear till this morning. Usually I have everything laying out ready. I even waited till the last minute to pick shoes. I wore my trainers since I knew I wouldn't need the race flats.

I got off to a bad start. They called for the half marathon and they took off. Then they called for the 5K run but as they took off so did the walkers. So I ended up in the back. That was ok because I could move up without crowd conjestion.

The Ky men's state senior racewalking champion showed up, he drove from Louisville, so there went my chance of getting first overall, (like that was gonna happen anyway). I decided to see if I could stick right behind, Elizabeth, who is the Ky women's senior racewalking champion. She holds a good steady pace and is faster than me.

The course has three serious hills. But I stayed right with her the whole race. I finished feeling like I could turn around and do it again since the pace was very comfotable. My goal for the race was to keep a good pace and not beat myself up trying to PR when I wasn't 100%.

I finished third overall and second male. My time was 35:39 with a pace of 11:30. I was 18 sec behind Elizabeth. I got a nice trophy for being overall winner in the grandmasters and second male.

Next up is the Flying Pig half marathon in Cincinnati. This race is famous for it's hills, oh goody.

Thanks for reading.

Dave

 

[perfectmatch300]

Great job, Dave! You kept up a nice pace! Congrats on your Grand Masters win!

 

[hoosmi]

I am so impressed! I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself running at that pace; I can't imagine walking that fast- I'd fly off the back of the TM in about 2 seconds!

I was thinking about walkers the last two races I did. Both said "walkers welcome" but not one person walked. I was kidding with a friend saying I need some walkers to show up so I'm not the DLF runner, but then I thought of you and laughed. How silly of me to think that walkers would be slower than me!

Congrats on the excellent race--

Jen in GA

 

[escape]

Dave - Way to go! I'm am in awe of your pace!

Jen - I know what you mean. I can't even run that fast.

 

[windwalker]

Dave - Way to go! I'm am in awe of your pace!

Jen - I know what you mean. I can't even run that fast.

Thanks for the kind words guys. I need to get a lot faster by the end of June. Catching this cold and Erica being in the Hospital for a week got my training off kilter for a while. But they will see a different Dave on June 29th.

Dave

 

[chimera]

congrats Dave!! Fabulous finish!!

 

[goofyguy1958]

Congratulations Dave. Hardware won! I have been racing for almost 20 years and have never won any hardware so your one up on me. Great job!!!!!

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Congratulations Dave!! Great pace, and way to go on the trophy!

 

[windwalker]

Congratulations Dave. Hardware won! I have been racing for almost 20 years and have never won any hardware so your one up on me. Great job!!!!!

I never won anything either during my 30 year running career. I turned out to be a much better racewalker than I ever was a runner. I've won something every race since I made the switch. The best was winning bronze at state games.

Dave

 

[Big Vic]

 

[escape]

Dave, what kind of pace are you aiming for this summer?

I hope Erica is doing well now. I didn't realize she had been in the hospital.

Hope you get over your cold soon. I know how tiring that can be. Still, you did great!

 

[windwalker]

Dave, what kind of pace are you aiming for this summer?

I hope Erica is doing well now. I didn't realize she had been in the hospital.

Hope you get over your cold soon. I know how tiring that can be. Still, you did great!

Thank you Susie. I'm planning on being under 30 min for the 5K by the 29th of June. That's when the National Senior Olympics competitions start. I will begin doing speed work starting this week. That will give me two months to sharpen my speed. So far all my training has been base building and endurance. The speed intervals should make a big difference in my pace. I have been doing the hill and distance work for almost a year.

Erica is fine, she was having chest pains during exercise. It turned out to be aorta spasams, they have her taking a med that will stop that.

Dave

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Great race report and time. I know you will do well by the summer.

Glad Erika is doing well!