PM
I arrived at the track about 35 mins before the 7pm start of the 1600. I warmed up for about 2 miles. They did a slow heat first, probably 20-25 runners. So, the fast heat didn't get started until about 7:15 or so. As i lined up at the start, i wasn't sure who was running also, but it did look like 4-5 runners could be close to my expectation of 5.10-5.15. Ok, i did want to break 5 mins, but didn't think the training, which has been zero for this type of race had been done. 5.15 was more realistic.
The gun went off, and a bunch of runners sprinted out, but by the 150 mark, i settled into 3rd place behind two younger runners. The pace felt easy, almost too easy, but i thought, let it flow, this is adrenaline, hold back. As we came to the 400 mark, they announced a time of 80 secs....80!! EIGHTY!!! are you kidding me, way too slow, so, i practically ran over and tripped one of the two runners, i went by them pretty hard. I felt someone go with me on my shoulder, but i was glad about that, any help at all is good. As we came around again for 800 meters, the time was 2.35, so a 75 sec lap, that was good. I was still in first, but starting the 3rd lap, a runner passed me, but i stayed right on his shoulder. 3rd lap came in at 76 secs, so we were now at 3.51. Starting the 4th lap, there were now two other runners with me, they were in front of me, but i was hanging on. With about 300 to go, one surged and the other went with him, but i couldn't do it. I was running as hard as i could and hanging on to the pace i had. As we came down the home stretch, I pushed it in to a 5.07. 76 final lap, so I went 80, 75, 76, 76. I was pleased, but of course, i would have like to shave off 8 secs, 4.59 sounds much better. 1st place was 4.56 and 2nd place was 4.59.
I am doing the track work in anticipation of the Utah Summer Games on June 25-26, for the 5000 and the 1500. I would like to set the age group record for both. The 5000 record seems soft, 19.03, but the 1500 seems like a challenge of 4.48. What is funny is that the 5.07 for the 1600 that i ran comes to a 4.48 1500! So i guess i am right there.
I jogged the trails 5k this morning, so, so slowly. I almost don't feel right, but oh well. Tonight, i am going to participate in the 1600 at the Las Vegas Track Club Summer Track Series. The forecast is 86 degrees and 15 mph wind. Wind. Wind. wind. ugh. I hope to be around 5.15. I haven't tried to run an all out mile since my Corp Challenge days, but we haven't done that for two years, so it has been over two years since i went hard for 1 mile. I ran sub 5 minute miles for about 10 years in a row in corp challenge, but i think those days are done, but i will try as hard as i can.
Cheers, update later.
Mike | 