Down the Stretch 5k @ Pimilico

The starting gates the runners, run out of

 Down the Stretch 5k for Susan G. Komen Foundation!!!

Round 2 at Pimilico yesterday. The Down the Stretch 5k is one of my repeat races. Interestingly enough, last year I hated the 5k. It was rainy and the track was really difficult to run. It was nothing against the race organizers, it was just that the track was made of sand and it was very difficult to run. I made less than a quarter of the way around the track last year.

So why did I decide to run this year since I wasn't as fond of it last year? A couple of reasons, first, it benefits the Susan G. Komen foundation. One of my good friends is a breast cancer survivor and supporting finding a cure for breast cancer is something very important to me. Second, last year I really wanted the race blanket and I signed up hoping to get one instead of the race shirt. It wasn't until after I registered that I realized it was a beer mug, but not worries, I still got to purchase last year's blanket for $5.  Finally, I wanted to see if after the months of countless hours of training and miles run if I had actually improved.

How did it go? (Don't you love how I ask myself rhetorical questions? Lol...see I did it again!) Well, I picked up my race bib at 10am and spent 30 minutes or so milling around and taking pictures of the Pimilico Track. I actually got to hear the trainer for the Kentucky Derby winner, I'll Have Another, speak. Needless to say that was pretty cool. Basically, I started out well and I made it about half way around the track before I walked. Running around that track is very difficult, I think it is actually over a mile and running in that sand tires your legs out pretty quick. But, a small victory did occur. I actually was able to finish running/walking around the track before the first runner made it to the infield. Last year I was still making my way around the track when the first three runners had actually made their way to the infield. It is the small victories that honestly make it the most exciting. Here is another interesting fact, I actually finished in 44 minutes with a 14:28/mile pace. I hit 1/2 miles and began passing a lot of people. I actually looked like I was running in photos, which very rarely happens.

See look...I actually look like I am running!

Meeting Heroes. While on my walk/run I did meet the Ms. Preakness Pink Warrior. She is actually from Carroll County and she is a single mom who has been a breast cancer survivor for 5 1/2 years. Despite anything that I could do, her ability to be in this race and be the face of breast cancer awareness for the week makes anything I could ever do pale in comparison. I talked to her for a few minutes, and like me, she agreed that the track was absolutely killer on your legs. She said she had been training and running at home, but still felt tired after running/walking around the track. I could commiserate. I ran two half marathons in a week and I struggled to run half way around the track. Clearly it isn't easy.

Much better than last year's name-Unhealthy
Amber! The design all the bibs to look like jockey silks

Bested by Jagged Jewels. One of the pithy little things that the Down the Stretch 5k does is give everyone a fun little horse name. Names included Shrill Nacho, Teeny Tiny Poverty, and Jagged Jewels. Now Jagged Jewels cracked my up because he was a short skinny little curly gray haired man. He looked like a pint sized Groucho Marx, and when I saw his race bib I couldn't help but laugh.  Well, Jagged  was in front of me and then I was in front of him, and somewhere around the track he managed to out power walk with me. Well, in true racing style, I came from behind and almost caught him down the stretch, but alas I never caught Jagged Jewels and he finished slightly before me! Perhaps next year...

A very enthusiastic little kid gave me the bar after mile 1 and I held onto it all the way through the race.

I clearly have gotten better at running because I finished the race in my average time and I walked the first portion of it. So, I have concluded that I am faster! I also learned 3 miles is just a drop in the bucket in comparison to running 13.1.

If you are wondering, and I know you are, I am planning on doing the Preakness 5k next year. My goal is to eventually master that track and I think I can do better next year.  

Tomorrow I start the marathon training and I am hoping my knees will hold out for the next couple of months. To aid in my strength and endurance training I am starting P90x as well.


Well, happy running :-)