More Hills

Saturday I ran the Nucor/Holt 5K road race. It's a benefit to help the Holt High athletic department, since there is a shortage of funds. Temperatures were in the mid-70s for a 7:00 am start. A decent crowd-- 75 or so runners. This area was touched by Mother Nature on April 27, so it's definitely a community in need. Snazzy purple race shirts, as well.

The first half was a downhill and I went out at about an 8:30-8:45 pace, since I'd heard about the famous hill on the back end. It was actually a series of three inclines with a slight leveling off in between, and my pace slowed to about 9:30 or so. My time was 27:45, or about 9:00 per mile, putting me #29 overall. I was pleased, since it was the most challenging 5K I've ever run.

Two highlights here-- one, I tweaked my right calf muscle again. And again, I've no idea how this happened. I ran nearly 20 miles on four earlier runs during the week, including Wednesday's tempo run, and this happened at about the halfway mark, at the end of the downhill section. So I don't know what's causing the issue. I did scratch the other four miles I'd planned for after the race. The calf felt bad for much of the day, but then pain started to diminish as the evening wore on. So we'll idle back the training this week and reevaluate in a few days.

Secondly, I got passed in the last 0.1 of the race by a guy who got my Shiny Metal Object. I'd finished the hills and actually passed the guy as he walked, but he must not have appreciated my passing him, so he started his engine as I kept my pace. Then I saw him go up to get the SMO for 3rd in our age group, so I was pissed. I know he wasn't in as good condition as me, since he was walking, and I didn't even go after him.

I guess I was concerned my calf would pop, but I had enough juice left to where I could have competed, but I didn't. I just watched him go by.

Oh well-- lesson learned. I'm still an amateur racer, so I'll pick these things up on the way. It was a good run and a good vibe at this race.

Next up: Mayor's Cup 5K this coming Saturday. This was pushed back from the Spring because of the tornado. I plan to at least run the race-- my calf will determine how fast.