“Run with your head the first two thirds of a race and with your heart the final third”

A great day for a 5K!! (photo by Benjamin Baxter)

Saturday, May 5, 2012: The day started with me hitting the snooze button only once on the alarm at 6:30 with a gun time of 8:30. Chocolate chip pancakes were on the menu for Benjamin and I, and a cup of coffee.  Next was the shower and getting into my racing uniform that I prepared the night before. Today I flew the Raleigh Running Outfitters colors on a Brooks green singlet with blue Brooks shorts, socks, and my Brooks Glycerins on my feet.

In the truck I called Cindy to tell her that Benjamin and I were on our way and we’d see her at the race.  A text came in as we approached The Factory (the start & finish of the race). It was from Olga wanting to know if I was running the race.  Benjamin text back to her that we were pulling into the parking lot. It was a great morning, slightly warm and sunny, and plenty of Wake Forest Area Runners (WFAR) were in attendance and we all greeted each other.  The cameras and smartphones were out and clicking away.

After picking up my timing chip I did an easy half mile jog to warm up followed by some light stretching.  Then the ritual of preparing my shoes with the proper tension on the laces and double knotting. I like a certain feel with my laces and if the pressure points are uncomfortable it really distracts, and even frustrates me.

Some of the Wake Forest Area Runners gather for a pre-race picture. (photo by Benjamin Baxter)

This is a small race with only about 120 runners.  About five minutes before the start most of the WFAR’ians in attendance gathered for a group picture. Then it was off to toe the line. I positioned myself on the front row since not too many “elite” runners came to town today. I started next to WFAR youth member Keri Celeste who confirmed that she ran the course on Thursday and knew where to go. Justin Martin also started on the front with us.

Experience tells me that often a race can start well before the sound of the gun. To my immediate right was another older guy like me wearing a Raleigh Running Outfitters uniform, but he also had a runner’s build and weighed at least 35 pounds less than me. This was Bill Carroll and I just came out and asked him his age (57).  On my shoulder was a distinguished gentleman in a sleeveless blue shirt who I surmised might turn out to be my age group competition today. I also kept a sharp eye on the starting positions of Andy Wheeler (he was close), Ken Hamilton, and Keith Shackleford, who started a few rows back. Then there are the many “unknowns” to me that just looked plain fast.

Today was a special day because it marked my last race in the “Mid-Life Crisis Division” which is what I call being in the 40’s. Next Saturday I turn 50 and get to “age up” into a new competition division for road racing that is actually called the “Grand Masters.” Others have told me that I am just gonna be another old goat or old fart then.

“GO!!” shouted by the man on the scaffold… and the race begins.  (photo by Benjamin Baxter)

“GO!!” shouted by the man on the scaffold… and the race begins. Amazing how your mind changes gears in the blink of an eye, and how everything that was on your mind while standing still is non-existent as the focus becomes the race. “Let those kids go,” “keep it slow Bobby,” “you’re going too fast, don’t let the adrenaline take you out too fast,” “run with your head the first two thirds of the race and your heart the final third.”

We approach the first hill on Rogers Road about a quarter mile into the race. Fifteen year old Keri Celeste leads the field and turns off course into an industrial park. The whole lead pack follows her. I yell from behind, “Go straight up the hill!!  Don’t turn!!”  The lead pack heard me and returns to the course after this 15 yard detour.

We get to South Main Street where traffic cones line the road. Unfortunately, the cones are not positioned to create a safe lane for the runners and some runners run on the grass, the sidewalk, and curb. A police or bicycle escort would have been a good idea at this point.

We turn off South Main Street and enter a neighborhood and approach the first mile mark where a table is positioned with a man pouring water into cups. I want a cup of water to wet my lips and pour on my head but I don’t want to break stride because I am focused on being relaxed and smooth. Perhaps if there were others handing the water cups to the runners I would have taken one, but I did not want to risk the twisting or change in stride at this point of the race, so I just keep going.

We approach another section of South Main Street that we have to run on for approximate 30 yards. This is clearly a very dangerous part of the course and it the middle of a curve. There is no one positioned here to block traffic or even alert the runners where to go. Fortunately, there is baking flour on the road from where our running club marked the course for a “pre-run” the preceding Thursday evening.

We make a quick right turn onto another street for the turn-around point. Turn-around points are best when marked with a cone and even a person directing runners to turn around. Oooops…. both are missing.  However, the run club’s baking flour is on the road still, but is this the official turn-around spot? Doesn’t matter… this is where the lead runners make their turn, and everyone follows. After the race was over, I drove the course and found a small piece of pink tape in the road about 20 yards past where we turned around which I believe was the official turn-around point. After the race, my Garmin says the course was 3.12 miles in length so I am comfortable that we ran an accurate 5K distance.

Something that I like about out-and-back courses is that we get to see other runners along the way, and we get to spot where our rivals are. Andy, Ken, and Keith are very close to me and within striking distance from behind.  At this point I refocus on trying to remain relaxed and not letting my stride deteriorate. Remember that distinguished gentleman in the sleeveless blue shirt?  Well, he is at least 250 yards in front of me, and I am sucking air.

I start seeing friends along the course that are on their way to the turn-around point but I am feeling fatigued, flat, and cannot turn the pace up. I want to acknowledge each of my friends as we pass but I have to stay focused to keep the building discomfort from consuming me.  However, I do become inspired as my friends offer encouragement to me as we pass.  Sandra Gomez even lets me know that I am in first place in the 70 and older age group!

The water stop is ahead of me at the 2.1 mile mark and I know that I have to take on some water.  Still just one person manning the station and filling cups.  I eye one of the half-filled cups on the edge of the table that I think I can grab without knocking any other cups off the table.  I grab.  Fill my mouth. Pour the rest over my head. Drop the empty cup. The dryness in my mouth is temporarily replaced with pleasant wetness and the cool water on the back of neck refreshes.  As I make the left turn back on to South Main Street, I take advantage of the turn to take a glimpse over my shoulder. I have good lead over the next closest runner so I turn my focus to the man in blue that is in front of me.

Knowing that the next several hundred yards is flat, I extend my stride a little and set my sights. A nice downhill awaits at the next turn as we head down Rogers Road so I know I don’t have to conserve right now and that I can pick it up on the downhill.  As I make the left turn onto Rogers Road I am not sure where to run. The road it not closed to traffic and it has a couple of lanes in both directions and has turn lanes, too. I have to cross the street, though.  Not only is this frustrating, it is also dangerous to all the runners. I target the tangent to the next right turn which will take us into The Factory, and as soon as traffic is safe I work towards the middle of the road.  I stay in the middle until it is safe to complete the road crossing. The distance between the man in blue and me is closing.

The "Man in Blue" later identified as Richard Hamilton. (photo by Benjamin Baxter)

As I make the right turn into The Factory it is an uphill and my rival is only 40 yards ahead of me. He is on the sidewalk, so I also elect to run on the sidewalk. My thoughts are, “is this man in my 40-49 age group, or is he in the 50-59 group.”  As I make the final right turn he is only 30 yards in front of me with about 110 yards to the finish line. To my knowledge he never turned to know that I was closing on him. I make the decision to not leave anything on the course and start my finishing kick. I try to run soft so that he is not alerted, and I note that the forward shadow is short so I’ll be right next to him by the time he sees it and can react. I cross the finish line two seconds ahead of the blue man.  I hurt terribly, can’t stand up, and can’t get enough air. And this is what I do for fun?

Once I catch my breath, I locate Benjamin and Cindy to cheer and encourage all my friends as they approach the finish line. Soon the results are posted. I learn that my friend in blue is 53 year old Richard Hamilton and he won the 50-59 age division.  I won the 40-49 age group and finished seventh overall.

I am completely ecstatic with my race time of 21:07. I had hoped to finish between 22:00 and 22:30, knowing that I am not in good shape and had not raced a 5K since last fall.  Here are my mile splits for the race:

1st Place, 40-49 Age Group. My finishing time is 21:07

1 mile:  6:32
2 mile:  6:53
3 mile:  7:05
.10 mile:  0:36
Finishing time: 21:07

Making it to podium is always an added bonus at a race. However, I still would have been as happy if I had not won, or placed, in the age group because I did beat my own goal and gave it my best effort for how I felt and the given conditions. Receiving my medal to the applause of my teammates was definitely a moment that I won’t forget.

The next time I adjust my laces I’ll be the youngest in my age group rather than the oldest. I hope I am ready for the Old Goat division!!!