Chilly Dawg 2015 Race Report

This year's Chilly Dawg 5K didn't quite live up to its billing like it did last year when the temps were in the teens. The rain had stopped earlier in the morning and the clouds were clearing, so it was damp and cool, with some wind to make it a little brisk outside. Temps were in the low 40s, so the fireplace at the pavilion was still a popular spot, though it wasn't nearly as cold as it was in 2014.

I had run some decent 400 repeats recently, and Wednesday's run went so well that I hoped to sneak in under 22:00.

Snazzy long-sleeve cotton race tee.
 Same design as 2014, but last year's shirt
was an ice blue color instead of the red seen here.

Prerace meal was a cup of coffee, a slice of wheat toast with Nutella, a banana and some water. I went with two layers above the waist-- short-sleeved tech shirt with arm warmers under a long-sleeve Athens Road Runners tech shirt. Also two layers below, with tech briefs under running tights, topped off by my wind pants. Feetures! quarter-length socks and my Asics Gel-Lyte 33 shoes rounded out my outfit. I hadn't raced or run in those shoes in a long time, since I have other shoes to use as everyday trainers. I don't run with music anymore.

The wife's department at The University of Georgia sponsored the race-- Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics, so she served as a course marshal and did a fantastic job. The course at Sandy Creek Park was exactly the same as it was last year.

I have trouble starting out too slowly and having it cost me at the end, so I put the hammer down early this time and had a first mile right at 7:00. I felt a little winded already at this point and didn't know how long I could hold the pace. Didn't have any trouble with traffic except for taking an elbow to the ribs right at the start. If you're not going to start out fast, don't get to the front of the starting corral.

Another runner soon appeared on my left hip as I realized I was pacing someone with a heavy footstrike. I don't know when this guy showed up, but he seemed to think I was at a good pace for him and he wasn't interested in passing. So I just kept on doing my thing. It could be a reason I ran so fast-- I felt like there was a herd of buffalo chasing me!

My second mile was 7:04, and I was red-lining it-- I had to remind myself that this would all be over really soon. Part of the 'pain is temporary, pride is forever' school of thought. There are no hills on this course, just a few rises. But when I was breathing as hard as I was, they felt like Everest.

I was able to keep on trucking through the third mile, but as I came back from a turnaround, I developed a side stitch and felt like I'd finally run out of gas. Oh well, I thought, I ran hard and gave it my all. I told the guy for whom I was rabbiting to go and get it if he wanted it, that my tank was about empty. He just told me to keep going, that we were almost home. This little bit of encouragement got me to the end. That, and realizing that he was observing proper etiquette by not smoking me at the end. I made the last .3 of a mile with his encouragement. I shook his hand at the finish, but I lost track of him after that.

21:49 was my finishing time, a personal best by :22, better than last year's 22:11 at last year's CD5K. I had really red-lined it-- I felt like I'd given everything I had to give. The finishing official handed me a card with the number 17 on it, so I was happy about that. I was also pleased to see that I was at the top of my age group, just as I was last year. I had hoped to win a master's championship, since I missed by :32 in 2014. As it turned out, I ran the exact time that the master's winner ran last year. The thing is, the guy who actually won it in '14 ran :05 faster than me today, so he defended his title like I defended mine. I was within range at the end, but I had no hope of catching him. So I did whittle the difference from :32 to :05.

Race number and Shiny Metal Object
for winning 40-44 for the second straight year

I just can't stop being happy about my effort. I ran harder and faster than I ever have before. I still won a Shiny Metal Object, got to see some of my running friends, and had a wonderful brunch with The First Lady afterward.

So life is (and always has been) good.

I don't have anything on my race calendar now, though I think I'll head back out there in 4-6 weeks just to stay active. I'm pretty sure I'll alternate fast 400 repeats along with some 800s. Maybe someday I can run a 5K in under 20.