Summer Track Series - Championship week.
Five weeks of summer track over six weeks just wrapped up on
Tuesday night. We had runners ranging from the youngest just learning about
running and track events to grizzly old veterans that come out and tested their
abilities. They want to see if they still have it. Together this group of
dedicated indivduals left behind a layer of sweat while they proved their metal.
Everyone showed the heart that it takes to be a runner. New relationships were
forged through the bonds of competition. Many walked away after setting PB and
PR. Most runners walked away knowing that they would return next year more
determined than ever.
What a marvelous Summer Track Series it was. Watching Aaron
knock out a fast time on the first week. Chris ran multiple weeks and always
showed plenty of speed. Billy and John renewed their classic fight to the
finish in the mile from a year ago. Matt ran several weeks and inched ever
close to his elusive sub 5 minute barrier. “Fam”’s 1:53 800 and then a week or
so later running a 4:08 mile.
The coolest race event was perhaps the store 4 x 400 relay challenge
between Inside Out Sports, RFYL, TrySports, and Charlotte Running Company. With
one lap to go, TrySports had the lead with Charlotte Running Company in second
and RFYL in third. Going down the back stretch, TrySports was losing ground but
ever so slightly. Coming off the last turn TrySports and Charlotte Running
Company were neck and neck. Then, what seem like “out of nowhere” the RFYL
runner hits the “NOS” and powers by Jason from TrySports and “Fam” from
Charlotte Running Company. This was an amazing race and all should be
congratulated on their efforts. Incidentally, RFYL’s victory allowed them to
take home the jar of marbles. After all, doesn’t the winner usually take home “all
of the marbles”?
I personally enjoyed this summer track season more than any
in recent memory. My epic battles with Stan were awesome. It wasn’t about me
winning or losing – although, I did most of the losing. It was about having
someone there to make me run harder and pushing someone else to run harder than
they believed possible. I cannot leave out a couple of other guys that jumped
in with me: Clayton and Jeff. That’s what makes it special.
How did my final track night go? Well, the evening went
well. However, I definitely didn’t have the evening that I wanted.
The clouds and rain throughout the day kept the temperature
down but the humidity was actually worse. I am not sure exactly how to describe
it other than to say – the air felt thick and heavy. Each step felt like I had to work extra hard
just to push through it.
I went into the mile race wanting to break 5:12. After the
first lap, I was 74. On the second lap, I went through in 2:33/2:34. My third
lap, I hit 3:52. As I passed by the clock, I thought that I can do this. I can
run under 1:20 for the last quarter. 300 meter passed and the clock was ticking
agonizingly close to my target while I watched. I ran another 5:12.
I guess because of the weather, the number of runners was
down last night. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is limited
number of people on the track. The curse is the limited number of people to
chase and with fewer people there is less time between events. Meaning each
event was happening so much faster.
I went almost immediately from the mile to the 400. I went
hard from the start. I guess without Stan to battle, I lose my drive. I
finished in 72 seconds.
I turned right around and ran the 800 next. I went through
the first lap in 74, but then slowed battle on the second lap to finish in
2:34. Of all the events, this one was the most disappointing. I don’t know why,
but I felt I was really struggling.
I skipped the 200. There was no sense getting crushed here.
They ran a combination 3200 and 5k last night. I opted for
the 3200. As much as I like running 5000 on the track, I was not having a great
night so why make it worse.
I really got off to a slow start. My first half mile was
nearly 6 minutes. I felt tight and totally uncoordinated. Then, things slowed
started to shift. My legs felt a little better, and I slowly moved up in to
second place.
I finished in 11:38. This wasn’t my best time for the entire
series but it was a solid effort and a good way to finish off my summer track
series for ’13.
I picked up two medals for my efforts. I was third in the
800 and second in the 3200.
My best splits were 5:12 for the mile, 4:55 for the 1500, 71
seconds for the 400, 2:30 for the 800, 35 seconds for the 200, 16 seconds for
the 100, 11:33 for the 3200, and 17:53 for the 5k.
I couldn’t wrap thing us without giving Tim and Tom, and the
entire RFYL crew as big “Thank You”. We all have to remember that it is because
of their efforts, we have opportunities like Summer Track to experience and
enjoy.
Sharing one thought at time,
The Cool Down Runner
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