Resolution 5K

Ice is slippery. That was the main danger in Resolution 5K.

I woke later then I would have liked, resulting in less of a warm-up and less time to prepare before the race. I had no idea how this race would turn out. I'm certainly getting faster and faster, but was this the race I would beat Seth, Jonny, or even Muddy for the first time? My dad and I showed up and picked the cool race bibs Galoob had this year. We had time for a quick 1.2 mile warmup which previewed this year's course. I had decided to wear just a singlet, gloves, and shorts. I wasn't sure at first, but I was glad I made the decision. Only one other runner wore a singlet in the chilly low-20 degree race. Before the race, I spotted somewhat of a running rival of mine, Evan, a freshman runner who I competed against in school races, and occasionally, like today, we would compete in some 5K trail races. He had beat me in the Backroad Ramble, and while I usually beat him in the school races, I wasn't sure how I would fare against him today.

The gun, actually, the siren went off to start the race. The leaders quickly took their position and took mine. I was ahead of Dad, and was trying to stay with Muddy. No sign of Jonny H. yet. The first mile was fast, and it didn't have much action.  Evan was staying right behind me, and I was a few positions behind muddy when turning into the trails. Mile one had been the quickest split at 5:41. Jonny H or Dad still weren't challenging me. Over the course of the second mile, I lose Evan and am able to pass enough people to be right behind Muddy. I start close the gap slightly with thoughts of passing him on the beach finish to take second for WTAC. Mile 2 was slightly slower, 5:56. I continue to stay right behind Muddy, and we both pass one more guy. The race was going very well. But the beginning of Mile 3 had even more ice than the second, and I fell, slamming my knee on the ice, creating a great amount of pain and destroying any chances of catching Muddy. My pace suffered greatly, dropping to what felt like a crawl. I limped along as people flew by me. It started with the guy we had just passed, then one had I passed entering the trails. Sometimes, falls like that hurt for 30 seconds or so, but it was more severe today. I wasn't able to pick up the pace. Evan went by me, and another one behind him. Next was Jonny Hammett towards the end of the trail. I slipped a little on the ice inside the house you go through, but fortunately, I didn't fall. Dad and Seth passed me as soon as we got onto the beach. I was unable to jump over the stream of water towards the start of the final beach stretch and my shoes got somewhat wet. I'm not sure if anyone passed me after that. I believe no one else did. I finished the race, with the third mile at a 6:57 pace.

I didn't realize how bloody my knee was until looking at it after the race. It hurt greatly for a while, but eventually the pain ceases. After a short cool-down I felt better. The Resolution 5K was my first, and probably my last race of the Galoob series. I missed Old Mountain because my coach advised my not to run. I wanted to run Belleville Pond, but I have a meet that day. Burlingame and Big River work date-wise, but the distance gets too long for me there, especially because I've been training for 3000's, not 10-milers and half-marathons. My next WTAC won't be for a while. I'm done the Galoob series, I won't be able to make Super 5K because it's too close to Freshman States, and I may RISP 5K for outdoor freshman states. Resolution 5K turned out terribly, but there are always other races.

13th Overall, 6th for WTAC, 19:05 Official Finish, 6:09 Pace, 2nd in Age Group

Results

My bloody knee on the car ride home.

Great bibs!

My strava pace chart.