Catfish 5K 2007 In The Books

It's over. I am about 12 hours removed from the race and feel good. Yeah, I'm sore and all but it's a "good sore."

Heavy air and overcast skies greeted the runners and walkers for today's run. I was feeling very light hearted, as well as limber and the usual pre-race jitters. I found myself enjoying the atmosphere, talking with others ready to line up. Starting to recognize familiar faces at these festivities and am starting to understand the sense of community runners share.

When they turn us loose, I plotted my path to begin on the inside of the first turn. That was a mistake as I was trapped behind and beside two runners who altered my stride. I patiently waited to finish the turn and went to the far side on the first ascent. While I could feel the adreneline rush carry my feet at the 1st 2/10ths, I knew I was not really over my head at the first descent by church hill as I made my turn in the 2:40's. If it had not been for a similar time a week earlier, I might have panicked.

The mile markers were not accurate but since I knew the course, I hit my split and found my first sub 7 minute on this route all year long. Hitting the cemetary hill wasn't too intimidating and by the time I made the trek back to town I was about 30 seconds faster on my 2nd mile split than I have ever run it.

I was satisfied knowing I was down to the final mile in which I traded positions back and forth with a teenager. I'd win the hills and he would take the flats. As I made it up over church hill for the last time, I picked up a conservative tempo. By the time I hit the 3rd mile and glanced at my watch to see a 22:30 time, I smiled knowing my running goal of 23:30 could be reached.

At the last second, despite my kick, the teen scooted by with a yard to go. I settled for 24th but was more gratified in beating my race goal by 17 seconds. Icing on the cake was that I got a plaque for winning in my age category. I was not expecting that but it felt good to have that moment on course I covered through rain, snow, wind and sun over the past year.

I wonder how I will view this course now that I have raced on it. It was a good day.

This Is The Race I Have Been Waiting For

Saturday I won't have to travel far to race. This one is on the home field. Time for the Catfish 5K race. This was the race I had planned to run last year until I severely sprained my ankle and had to settle for the walk instead.

Looking over my log, I have practiced this course about 50 times since last October. I've learned a lot about this route and about my self too. I have sensed euphoria of a hard run that went well, as well as frustration when my hopes of better times were dashed by pain, fatigue and natural elements. I learned about proper pacing for each unique mile along the way. And how to respect a challenging hill instead of letting it intimidate me. When you run a familiar route long enough you begin to appreciate its nuances. Subtle dips and bends that you need to watch for and the right way to descend a hill or the trees that may provide shade from the heat or a barrier from cold north winds.

I think about the final tenth of a mile and how I have usually had enough in the tank for one last sprint to the finish line. I think about the runs I shared with two of my sons and more recently a boy in my church who want to beat me... (he did!) In fact last week when we ran, I didn't want to get too far behind and so I pushed to the end, being pleasantly surprised that a new personal record was set going into the final week of my preparations.

I am excited about getting to the starting line this Saturday. The weather is supposed to be very nice and I have a feeling a good turnout is expected. I am not operating under the illusion that I am about to win this race, let alone my age category. But I know one thing is for certain, when we are turned loose, I will run with all the passion I have poured out over this course for the last nine months. To do any less than that would be a crime.