Last week we had our 2nd annual Run/Walk event at my work. We get Active Health points for various activities, that we can later get cash for. Many races cost more money than the points we get are worth. We put together a run/walk event that is free for employees.
We had about 270 people signed up for the event, but only about 20 people in the race part. The race was 3 laps on a 1 mile path around a couple ponds at a local park.
We lined up at the start line. Then with a ready, set, go, we were off. I took off running, and within less than 2/10′s of a mile, I looked back, and there was no one there. I thought for a second, that it was a joke, and that I was the only one who went. But then I saw the people back there. I looked at my Garmin 305, and saw I was running a little fast, in the low 6 minute/mile range. I slowed down. I tried to keep a 7:00 minute/mile pace, or slightly faster.
I kept looking back and seeing a guy in a red shirt, maybe 2/10′s of a mile back, maybe farther. But I held the gap, maybe expanded it a little. I ran the first mile in 6:30 I think. I slowed down a little, but not too much.
I worked to hold the pace, and not let anyone close the gap. In the last mile. I kept looking back and seeing the guy in the red shirt. But then a guy in a blue shirt passed him. And then another guy in a blue shirt. Everytime I glanced back, I saw these guys in blue shirts, and they looked like they were really running fast! I had about half a mile left, and didn’t want them to catch me. I kept the pace, and crossed the finish line in 20:56. That’s 17 seconds faster than my time last year. The course is actually slightly longer than 3 miles. There is a small gap between the finish and start lines of the 1 mile course. So the whole course is probably about 3.05 miles. 2nd place finished in 22:00. So I finished a minute and 4 seconds ahead of second place!
I was very happy with my time. After my poor results at the Boston Marathon, this was a little reassuring that I was still improving. It also bodes well for the Chase Corporate Challenge race that I have coming up in a couple weeks.
There are no medals or anything, just bragging rights.

Posted by Rob in Running on May 11th, 2009 | No Comments