Trick or Trail 5k Recap
In June, I had planned to run the Grizzly 5k in Gastonia.
Well, for some reason, the race was canceled. Since the race was part of the
YMCA Series, they offer me a few other options. This Trick or Trail 5k was one
of these options. I hadn’t thought much more about it until an email arrived on
Thursday before the race.
Since I was already signed up, I decided why not run it.
This turned out to be one of the more unusual races that I
have ever run. I am 5th in line as we enter the trail section about
30 yards behind the leaders. Then, it is as if they put on the brakes. They
seem tentative on the trail. They are attempting to run 2 a breast on a trail
where it doesn’t quite fit. We all closed up in to a tight bunch. This is when I say
something about “let’s get single file”. I cannot go anywhere like this.
Then, this one guy sprints ahead. But then, he slows down.
We catch up. On the next hill, he sprints up it. And, the next, and the next.
On the flats and downhills, we close the distance, but with the numerous switch
backs, it is hard to find a rhythm.
I maneuver my way in to 2nd place. We pass by a
couple of water stops, and the two mile point. I am coming up on the 3rd
water stop where I see the leader standing there sipping a cup of water. I have
no idea what he is doing and keep running. I found out later from the people
working the water stop that he thought it was the finish. No idea what made him
think that this was the case.
I am pressing up the next climb when I hear heavy breathing
and footsteps pounding the ground. He passes by me but this time, I stay close
behind. We pop out from the trail to an open area, but there is no clear
indication of which way to go. Out of the corner my eye, I see some volunteers
waving us around. I am back in the lead, but barely as he is hot on my tail.
This time we pop out of the woods, and the finish line is nearly in sight. I
know what’s coming, and with maybe 30 yards to go he flashes by me. My legs are
heavy from running 50 miles the weekend before. They are in on condition for
sprinting. I settle for 2nd overall in 21:53.
The rain arrives, so they move us into the Y’s boat house
where the food is now being served and the awards announced. But their speaker
are setup for outdoors and not indoors so I cannot hear much of what they are
saying.
They did an okay job with the race. I liked their little
trail course, but there wasn’t enough to draw me back next year.
Running a 5k did feel good. The race was over so fast. I did
a second run over the course just to feel like I got in some running.
Next up, I am running the “Shot in the Dark” 10k, and I
thinking about another race later in November
The Cool Down Runner
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