I got there around 6am in the morning to register. I think I was the 2nd person there. After paying $40 for the race and picking up my race packet, I went to my car to relax. They had a RFID band stuck on the back of the bib. It looks like more and more races are headed in this direction with race timing. The t-shirt was made of cotton and pretty nice looking. I prefer cotton shirts so I can wear them when I'm not exercising.
I got back out to watch the start of the 5k race at 7:30am. I noticed that it had gotten a lot warmer. I milled around until it got closer to 8:30am, the start of the 10k race. The race started late because we had to wait for all of the 5k participants to finish.
Race t-shirt
Starting line
Goal A: sub 50, 8 min pace.
Goal B: 55 min.
I wanted to use this race to tested out my current fitness level and how my recovering leg would respond to a little speed.
The course was pretty narrow, so I positioned myself close to the front. There wasn't too much passing going on at the start which was a good thing. I went out at what I felt was a decent effort. When I got to the mile 1 marker, I was surprised to see how fast I was running by my standards. I thought I was running at a 8 min pace but my watch said 7:09. So I eased off on the gas. I got to mile 2 feeling okay, but the legs were getting rubbery. On the turn around where we started heading to mile 3, I slowed way down to try and recover. On the way to mile 4, I had to pull over after an aid station and walk. I was definitely overheating and a blister had developed on my right foot which was rather annoying. But at least I got to see the legendary ultrarunner, Michelle Barton, heading back to the finish line. I didn't know she enters such short races. On the way up to mile 5, I had to walk up a short steep hill. During most of the race I was pouring water on my head and the back of my neck. I tried to rally and finish strong, but still had to stop a few times to walk since I kept getting dizzy.
1: 7:09
2: 8:07
3: 8:56
4-5: 20:38 (10:19)
6: 9:58
6.2: 1:34
Finish: 56:23
When I crossed the finish line, I felt clobbered by the weather and was pretty dang disappointed with my time. I'm really not cut out for warm weather racing. Missed both of my goals. But then I realized how hot and humid it was and how well I did to prevent myself from throwing up or passing out. The leg responded relatively okay but there's still some tendinitis. I drank a few cups of water before walking back to the finish line to cheer for my friend.
BBQ
After shooting the breeze with my friend, I walked back to my car to change and go eat lunch. On my way back I walked by the BBQ. I love the smell of BBQ and meat grilling. I drove up to Irvine and ate at Ajisen. It was too dang hot to eat ramen, but maybe I should have since they're a ramen shop. Instead I ordered the ika geso karaage (fried squid tentacles) and chicken katsu curry. The squid was good, but the katsu curry was horrible. I dislike the katsu at Curry House but this was worse. But it was still good enough for me to eat the whole thing. The next time I come here, I'm ordering a bowl of ramen even if it's a million degrees outside. :)
1 comment:
It has been so hot outside. I think weather plays a huge role in how we do in a race. Those tentacles look good. I am going to get some soon.
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