Lifetime Fitness Turkey Day 5k - November 26th, 2009

This was the 20th annual Turkey Day 5k in downtown Minneapolis (my first).  The race was sponsored by Lifetime Fitness which also promoted a food drive on the side for those participating.  I was surprised at the turnout of runners although I guess this race draws thousands every year.  I estimated about 3,000 although the local news said up to 6,000.  The race started near Target Center and ran southeast on 4th St. toward the Dome, then over to northwest on West River Parkway before concluding on First Ave. back near Target Center.

Although the race was timed, it designed more as a fun.  They posted no individual finishing times or places other than the top 5 men and women who received awards.  There was an overnight threat of snow but the roads were dry for the race with temps in the mid 30's.  The only issue was a strong NW wind at 15mph which caused problems as we ran directly into it along the river.  I finished with a time of 20:14 which is 36 seconds shy of my personal best but the race helped me work up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner!

Next month I'm planning to enter a one mile race in an 'open' indoor track meet at Bethel University.  I adjusted my training schedule to include significantly more speed work with 'strides' and more tempo runs at 5k and 10k pace than I have done for my longer distance races.  Today's race fit in perfectly with this strategy.  With longer races (half marathon and marathons) the body burns fat for fuel which lasts much longer.  But faster races that push the heart rate over 80% of max use more glycogen than fat for fuel.  The problem is once you tap heavy into your glycogen supply it can deplete rather fast, so one needs to ration it smartly or a good time can go up in smoke very quickly.  I hope to run in the 5:45 range but won't have the benefit of my Garmin to pace me along the way as they don't receive satellite signals indoors.  I will be on my own to 'feel' the right pace as I go.  Anyway, should be fun.  I haven't run a timed mile race since I was a senior in high school!

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