I did another 5k this past Friday. I had a blast. Once again I placed in 4th place, but this time it was out of over 200 people.
I will say this with a caveat...I probably would have finished top 12-15 if the cross country runners that ran the race had actually ran the race like a normal one. They had to let other people cross the finish line before them per NCAA rules. So no, I am not really faster than an All-Southern Region runner.
I probably would have run faster had the girls that ran in it gone at full speed. I would have tried to have kept their pace the whole way and if I had I bet I would have finished just slightly behind them and also 15 seconds faster or more them how I actually ran that day.
I had an assist on the run from one of the male runners that I advise. He served as the "rabbit" that I chased after at the end of the race. The men's team seemed very excited about me running and were glad I won. It was nice being included in the team huddle before the race and I'm glad I didn't embarrass them.
I finished this 5k with a time of 20:00. I wasn't happy with my time. I think I could have gone faster, but I hadn't been doing much running (just biking and only a handful of miles for the two and a half weeks leading up to trot) as of late because of plantar fasciitis, which is pain in the arch of the foot. It's an overuse injury that I mildly have. It's not debilitating at all as a matter of fact. I ran without really noticing it, but I have needed to rest to prevent it from getting any worse.
I also must say that running a 5k on a course, with hills and on grass rather than pavement definitely slows you down. I have run at a 5:56 pace before for a 5k in training and done a 5k in closer to 18:40-19:15. Running on the grass also tires you out more. I couldn't believe how sore I got afterwards. It's the worst soreness from running that I have ever had.
My time was good enough for 1st place in my category of runners, which would be male faculty/staff members. Thankfully the Assistant Men's Cross Country coach didn't participate because he would have finished higher than I did. I love my first place trophy and gift card to a restaurant.
I also loved the satisfying moment at the end when the awards were handed out and one of my cross country runners who happened to be working the event dressed up as the turkey mascot went "hey that's my academic adviser" when I posed for a picture with her and got my trophy.
As for the race I had a few take-a-ways.
YELLING AT CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS ON THE COURSE WHILE THEY ARE RUNNING IS EXTREMELY HELPFUL. That's exactly what I realize I need to do as a spectator. Anything for an extra boost is good.
I also went out really hard. The cross country guys weren't going full speed, but I didn't quite expect to go a half a mile before they all pulled ahead of me. I was relieved when they did because I was afraid I was doing an awful job of pacing.
I had a lot of fun and need to run faster next year.
Also glad that the runner I let train me way back during the summer can now say she coached someone to a first place trophy.
http://jonesracingcompany.com/results-elon-turkey-trot-2013/
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