Races 13.1 – Charlotte
Races 13.1 brought their traveling road show to south Charlotte
this morning. Setting the weather aside for a moment, their race production was
flawless. Every turn was marked. Numerous water stops with both water and
Gatorade along the course. For the most part, the course was decent. Much of it
was run on the McMullen Greenway. The most treacherous sections were the wet
board-walk sections on the greenway. Mother
Nature continued her role in the race by keeping a steady drizzle coming down
on the runners for the entire race. Race organizers did their part warning us up front
that the boardwalks were slick. Runners needed to beware. With all the rain
over the last few days in Charlotte, I was really surprised these sections were
not covered in water. I have seen it flooded more than once.
My race was decent. I missed my goal time of 1:24 –
finishing with a 1:26:08.
My race started off okay. The early and middle miles were
decent. There was a nasty neighborhood hill about 5 miles which I struggled to
the top. Fortunately, the downhill side was long enough that I could make-up the
lost distance. I stayed close to my target until about 9 or 10 miles. Then, my legs
just wouldn’t respond any more and my pace slipped to 6:35 miles.
Running local races is always awesome because they are a lot
friendly faces. Along the course, Tom, Mo, Donny, and few others were shouting
out encouragement.
I got a chance to race against Carolyn and Brian. Brian, who
I have not seen in a couple years, was sporting a nice ginger beard. I thought
he might close in me after the turn around because he looked so strong. Carolyn
on the other was passed my somewhere between 8 and 10 miles. She looked very
smooth and strong and was eating up those closing greenway miles.
Then, there were my Skecher buddies: Chris and Glenn. Chris
coming off a ½ marathon last weekend in NY opted for the 8k and huge lead the
last saw him. Glen was out knocking off a solid ½ marathon.
Our Charlotte Running Company Hoka made its present known.
Bert had a solid lead at the turn around and when on to beat Matt by a couple
of minutes in the 1/2. Big congrats to Bert for a great effort.
Oh, I guess I should get back to my race.
Miles 11 and 12 came and went at 6:35 pace but my legs gave
up while climbing up Johnston Road and then Community House Rd.
All things given, my time and race were okay. I finished 10th
overall and won my age group.
I wish hamstring healed as fast as other muscles but they don’t.
Well, they don’t if you don’t rest it. To some extent, I am as much a part of
the problem as I am part of the solution.
Just need to stick with the plan.
Cool Down Runner
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