Coming into this race I was sitting 5th in points. This, as also mentioned before, is funny, since up to this point I've never been anywhere near a top-5 finish in any individual race. But, not everyone does every race, so here in 5th I sit. There are prizes for the top 5 in each age group at the end of the season, with cash prizes for the top 3.
As usual I got there later than I wanted to... something about getting caught up watching Sportscenter for the 8th time in a row as they run in on a continuous 30-minute loop, and realizing I have to get the hell in the car. I finally arrive and quickly make a game-time decision regarding race-wear: long-sleeved tech shirt & shorts, no gloves. Five minutes of light jogging and stretching, and I'm good to go.
So there I am, a few rows back from the start line, thinking, "Man, I wish I went with the gloves." But suddenly the horn sounds and we're off. My plan for this race was to go with no plan. I found I was getting too caught up in trying to figure out a pace for every mile, when to pick it up, when to ease off a little. So instead, other than not overdoing the first Km, I thought I would just take what my legs gave me... and then pound the crap out of them if my brain thought I should be going faster. Brilliant.
I successfully navigated the first km without any side to side jumping and fast accelerating around people that started too close to the front. It finally started to thin out. I decided I was feeling good and I would push it slightly up some of the hills. I also paid attention to the terrain, and when there was even the slightest upward or downward slope I would adjust my pace... usually by trying to increase it. In my own head my logic was foolproof: other people will slightly slow down on the inclines, gaining me valuable time, and my HR will slightly decrease on the declines, allowing me to push it again up the next hill without blowing up. Fiendishly clever, yes?
Actually, the plan was working. Last year at this race I ran a 49:47. This year I hit the half in just over 23 minutes. As the miles went by, I found myself under last year's pace by quite a bit... the fact that I was holding this quicker pace was like a fresh surprise at every marker I passed. The last race I ran this year was a half-marathon, where I was hoping to go 1:45 but went 1:50 -- I think I was just expecting to be disappointed again.
At the 9k mark I told myself not to look at my watch, but did anyway, of course. I knew if I didn't let up to the end I could crush last year's time. I pushed up a final, cruel hill and turned right to a 200m surge to the finish. I crossed the line in 46:49 -- almost 3 minutes faster than last year, and good for 5th in my AG. And here's the best part -- the guys in 3rd and 4th ahead of me in the standings didn't race (although they had signed up), and with my effort I got past both of them. So I should claim 3rd in my AG for this year's overall series points -- good for a $50 prize! Of course, I realize my 3rd place is simply because faster guys didn't attend all the races... but who cares? THIRD PLACE, BABY!
I will pick up my cash at the end-of-season awards night tonight. As a special prize for the series' dedicated participants, they are giving away a trip for 2 to Vegas, which includes entry into the Las Vegas Marathon (or half marathon). Based on my performance this year, I've earned the maximum 10 ballots in the draw. Winning that would be sweet, to say the least.
Am I off to Vegas in a month? I sincerely doubt it. But, as usual, time will tell.
