Robbie-T Wins @ Run for Wells 5k

[Robbie-T]

This is a bit long race report for a 5k, but I won!!

Having just had a baby I wasn't planning any races for Sept or Oct, but my lovely wife can tell I need a fix and finds this race for me to run, its short, it is local and cheap. At first I thought, I wasn't really into it, I've been focusing on the up coming Masters XC season, and was training to peak in November. But I always do what I'm told and she knows what is best for me.

I checked out last years results, and a few guys were under 18 mins, so placing well wouldn't be a gimme.

I show up for the race, and for $30 I get a technical tshirt, and a whack of other good loot in a reusable shopping bag, easily $30 worth of stuff. I turn around and DGrant is there, hey I will know someone here, cool.
My clan stayed at home and would show up for the end of the race. They'll be happy they did because they have a bouncy castle here.

I go warm up for about 2km pretty easy enough to get the sweat going, then I switch into my Nike Zoom Streaks, first race with these guys. Slow at first then some pickups and I'm as ready as I'm going to be. My goal to get below 18 min, that would be a PB for me. 5k races are tough, if you lose any seconds at the start or at anytime really in the race you can't get them back, so its go hard from the start, feel the pain and then live with that pain until you get to 4k after that, you induce more pain, in the final 500m you stop breathing and hold on to your position before you collapse at the finish.

The course was most flat but never flat actually, no hills, but really an interesting course. You start and make a loop around the park, then up on the paved trail that is slightly up hill for about 1.5k, turn back, and back around the first loop again.

I started off, and immediately get caught behind traffic, how did this happen I started in the front line. Break free and see that the leader had a good lead already, decision time #1 catch leader now or never, can I run with this guy or not? I pick it up and catch him after about 500m, I run with him for about 50m and we go up a short hill, decision #2 take lead or race, I take him going up the hill and go with confidence, after about 1k I try to look at my watch to see my pace but can't focus on it, I don't care at this point what my pace is, I'm in the lead and want to stay here, I have a time goal too and want to see if it is going to be possible. Good thing I couldn't see my pace (3:19) because I likely would have thought I needed to slow down. After the first KM I'm chasing the bike making my own pace, the slight up hill was enough to make me dig deep, I was in the lead and running scared, I get pushing in hopes to make the lead big enough, so they think they couldn't keep up with me, and that no one would have the nads to make up the difference and if I slowed, that maybe there would be enough cushion for me to still pull this off.

At the turn around I see how far my competition is back, not very far, so I just keep bearing down trying to catch that biker and really waiting for someone to catch me. However I am feeling good, I'm hurting but I am running smooth and strong. I start thinking about Pre's quote

Pre said "I don't want to win unless I know I've done my best, and the only way I know how to do that is to run out front, flat out until I have nothing left. Winning any other way is chicken-sh!t."

And that is just how I ran this race today, this is how I wanted to win my first race, not by following the leader and out sprinting, but by making this race mine.

Finally the 4th km marker comes up I take a look back and I don't see anyone ??? never mind, I pick up the pace, no one is taking this away from me now, I've lead this long. Around the loop I go, and push for the finish.

I did it!! A win!! and sub 18min. 17:30 clock time, 3:30 pace. Wow!!

This race was exceptionally organized for a smallish local race, everyone had fun, the kids in the bouncy castle, Dave and I had a chat with Ray Zahab for a bit, really nice guy.

Splits
3:19
3:39
3:41
3:33
3:19

[b_squared]

Holy smokes Robbie, nice race. An amazing sub-18 PB and a win. Awesome!

[Doonst]

No no that's not how its done!

Just like you to take the lead on a hill. Although where you found a hill in Georgetown South I can only guess. We all knew, it was only a matter of time before you got a first place win. Wish I was there to see it, yes I do!

[Robbie-T]

No no that's not how its done!

Just like you to take the lead on a hill. Although where you found a hill in Georgetown South I can only guess. We all knew, it was only a matter of time before you got a first place win. Wish I was there to see it, yes I do!

I'm sure everyone will be talking of the red streak from Erin in the coffee shops in Georgetown tomorrow, make sure you save all those news paper clippings.

[ian]

I thought it was only women that could come back stronger post-pregnancy... Nice result.

[casual-runner]

Congratulatiooooooooooooooooooooons
Great race splits and amazing report!!!!

[clocker]

Man that was fun to read! Congratulations on one sweet win and huge PB.
Ian

[seuss]

a bouncy castle and you get to channel Pre. some race. congratulations.

[VeloCarrie]

Wow.

[lisaannr]

Wow!! You are smokin' fast!! Congratulations on your win!!

[Habs4ever]

You are fast!! Congratulations on the win, and loved reading your report.

[RA.]

I can't even fathom that speed! Awesome! Congrats on a well earned win!

[BaldGuy]

Dude, that is freaking awesome. Thanks for bringing us the view from the front!

[Darth Tater]

[Strider]

About time brother. Musta hurt and felt amazing at the same time - hmmm child birth?

Congrats - can't wait for the next races. What did you win?

[Jo-Jo]

So darn happy for you

[Marg]

Very happy for you. You were due for this to happen, and you deserved to have it happen this way as well (full on lead vs an outsprint).
Love it.

[BJH]

Well done Robbie-T!!!!!!!!

[richie-rich]

all i can say is great job and well done

[scrumhalfgirl]

First of all - some credit to the wife for finding this race for you and sending you out the door - that's support!

Congrats, Robbie - an amazing PB and a fabulous win -you deserve it. Amazing stuff!

[eljeffe]

I'm confident that with a little more work, you'll get your 17:59. Nice racing.

It's funny, I have a similar situation coming up in 2 weeks with being entered into a small local 5k with a shot at winning. Good insight, I hope to pull off a similar result.

[trixiee]

Yeah Bridie! She should get her fair share of the credit!
Awesome, Dude! Totally awesome!

[pts]

Your wife is the BEST! Seriously, she is amazing, I know you know already how lucky you are to have such a supportive wife.

Congrats on the 1st place, well deserved as always!

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

That is some fine racing Robbie-T. Speed like that? WOW.
Congrats on the win.

[ratherBrunning]

Exceptional! Great job Robbie-T!!