Family Turkey Trot

Family Turkey Trot 5K- Thursday, November 26, 2015

Goals
With previous field sizes of about 1,100, this would likely be the biggest 5K I would run in (and it was). I looked back at previous winning times- 2013 was won in 16:25, 2014 was won in 17:01. A sub-17 performance would likely place me in the top two, if not win it. My main goal was a win, but I also wanted to break 16:50. I adjusted my goal time on hills and the week I recently took off (lack of training). Scanning the race pre-registrants I found a man who wasn't just capable of running sub-17, but who could probably run low to mid 15s on a good day. There was no question that Eric Lonergan would dominate the race. I adjusted my goals to top three, and get second if I could.

Pre-Race
Two and half mile course preview (the verdict: one good size hill, other than that ugly and flat streets) warm-up, a stride, changing into my New Balance 1500 racing flats, and toeing the line with 10+ other runners, a few of who looked like top competitors.
Race
Mile One: It was a little crowded the first quarter mile. I started going out really fast before I saw that Lonergan was behind me and having a more relaxed start. He went by me soon, and the pace was fast again across the bridge and until we hit the hill. I was in a lead pack of about 10 runners. The pace felt fast up the hill, but I didn't think about it much as I just wanted to stay with the pack. Half a mile in we got to the top- a few dropped off the pack, and I realized not only that I was going to have to push myself to make top 3. I saw runners I had faced in high school in the pack. Recent Cumberland Graduate Abdullah Kaba and Classical Senior Joe Murphy. I had beaten Kaba and Murphy once each, while they beat me the other times we had face. Kaba excelled in the 1500 and I didn't face him much in any of three season. I faced Joe Murphy many times in 3K's in track and a few times in cross country. In this year's blessing of the fleet, I passed Abdullah Kaba in the final 600 meters and barely beat him out. I beat Joe Murphy in New Englands. It would be cool to beat both or either, but at the time I thought that would be hard. By mile 1, I was towards the back of the pack but still right in it. I hear Lonergan mention to one of the other elite-looking runners that Lonergan was waiting for him to take it out (the pace, lead). The Elite Runner said something back, that he was waiting for Lonergan to make a move. Both seemed like they were running easy, and I was getting weak and dead. Mile 1 Split- 5:25.
Mile Two: As always, Mile Two is the slowest, least eventful, and shortest mile write-up. I started to get really tired. I was forgetting where the turns were because I was only focusing on staying with the lead pack. I stayed with them for another quarter mile, but now was easily in the back. Another quarter went by, and now I was last in the lead pack. I was looking at my watch frequently, and starting to struggle. But, I remained with them. We went over a few railroad crossings, before an unnecessary cone turnaround.  On the way out to the turnaround, no one grabbed water. We made the turn and everyone in the pack slowed down greatly. It tired me a little, making the turn, but I still was right with the pack, and in 7th place. All ignored water again, but I was thirsty. I took a cup and had a quick sip. Mile 2- 5:29.

Mile Three: We were done with the hills. The pack was now single file, rather than a big group and there were a few position changes in the front. Kaba briefly took the lead, before the other ran up next to him. The next half-mile was the hardest of the race. The leaders slowly pulled away, and I didn't think I had a chance of catching them since I was still in seventh. I reached the road we came up on earlier in Mile 1 and saw many runners/walkers going the other way. Joe Murphy was falling back and I caught up to him. I pulled up next to him, and we exchanged looks and said a word or two to each other. Would I beat him? I certainly wanted to, but when he pulled ahead, I didn't think so. The lead runners were now a good 3-10 seconds ahead depending on the placement. We hit the downhill and I passed Murphy again. He started to go with me, but then dropped off. I pushed the downhill hard and made up a gap between me and the next runner. Mile 3- 5:13.
The Kick: I was now right behind the 5th place guy, who was right behind the 4th place guy. I made a surge to finish and went by him. He didn't go with me. Same happened with the next guy. I was now in fourth and Lonergan was the next guy to catch but there wasn't much distance left to catch him. I pushed, passed him and finished in 16:41.

Very happy to see a fast time only 12 seconds off my PR, but then later found out it was 16:49. Don't know how that happened. Got a very nice plaque as soon I finished. The 1st finisher was 10 seconds ahead of the second, but I was only a second behind Kaba (in Gun Time), who finished second. Very happy with the race and it was fun and helpful to race in a pack and ended up being a kicker's race. Very different from what I expected, but glad there was good competition. A little surprised Lonergan wasn't as strong as expected.