Outdoors PR - 5K - Less Than Fantastic Race - St. Pet's 5K

St. Petronille 5K - Glen Ellyn, IL
22:31 - 7:16 mile (unofficial)
official:
61st place
9th age group (M 40-44)
22:32.8 (7:16/M)

.3 wu
3.1 miles

total: 3.4 miles

63°F
Clear
Wind: N at 0 mph
Humidity: 81%

finish
73°F
Clear
Wind: SW at 5 mph
Humidity: 68%

1. 6:48 (6:48)
2. 14:09 (7:21)
3. 22:31.98 (7:37 x 1.1 miles)

As you can see from above, I started fast, finished slow. This was partly because of pre-race jitters, poor sleep and not feeling well the last two days, and a long hill just after mile 2. I also didn't fight like I should have to maintain pace. The biggest matter I could have controlled, I didn't. My plan was a 6:55-7:00 mile 1, but started faster, and paid dearly.

Still, the victory is that I knocked off about 45 seconds from my July 25 Viking Run 5K time, making it an official PR. Any PR is a good race.

The treadmill times are not 'fake', but do not achieve true outside conditions. I have a better race in me, so I am encouraged even by my weak finish.

Margaret ran well, winning her age group, despite starting fast well well. My friend Brad U. stepped in for a very impressive first race out of nowhere, in 29:41.9, after being cajoled into it yesterday. Better things to come from Brad, who showed a strong finish, and the will to power through the last 100 meters. If he sticks with it, gets in enough miles, he is bound to drop a few minutes quickly.

I don't feel great now, and will lay down.

Post-script: I added a fresh picture, after a short nap and long shower. A race picture isn't available. That's a long-sleeved t-shirt which came in the goodie bag.

Otherwise, the bag was filled with candy (cough drops?), race announcements, and a magnet that did not look very appealing.

The race itself was well-organized, despite being handled entirely by a neighborhood church. That's no crime to be a church organizing a race, of course, but I was concerned that a church might not realize the needs of a runner. Hats off to St. Pet's, which covered it all.

Volunteers were in full-force. I spoke with one guy who was cheering on runners near the final turn, "My job is easier than yours," he said with a smile. I disagreed, as "my job" was over in 25 minutes, while he had an hour of clapping out there.

The course utilized the Illinois Prairie Path, a local park, and the streets. The only downside was two quick left turns in the beginning, creating a bottleneck issue. No great matter, but it slowed down the middle-of-the-pack runners.

Water was offered at key points. For many 5K runners, the ones finishing under 30 minutes, this is less important, but to the ones out there longer, as the sun beats down amidst strenuous effort, it makes a difference. One stop, at least, was manned by the diligent and kind runners of the Glen Ellyn Runner's Club.

The finish was a funnel, which was a little disappointing. I had a good sprint going, but deferred to safety rather than running down the fellow I was about to pass.