Since I averaged a 6:19/mile pace in my best 5k run I assumed I should be able to run with the under 6 minute guys even on a small indoor track with tight turns. But I really wasn't sure how far under 6 minutes I could go. The mile was just over 8 laps around Bethel's 200 meter track so I wanted to run 43 second splits (5:44/pace) and see how I felt as the race progressed. Of course not having run a timed mile, I really wasn't sure if I could 'feel' that pace as I ran but gave it a whirl. I knew the answer would be waiting for me when I finished the first lap and saw my split.
The first lap was a little congested until the pack of roughly 20 runners began to spread out a bit. But as I neared the end of my first lap, I could see the race clock ticking 38...39 seconds. I passed the clock at 43 seconds so I felt comfortable I was running the pace I wanted to run. I felt like I was maintaining this pace as each lap passed, but as fatigue set in, it became more difficult to calculate my splits in my head. I also forgot to check the lap counter and lost track of my laps until my spotter called out to me saying "2 laps, Bruce". It kind of reminded me of those dreadful 2 mile indoor races in high school. I remember one race we ran on a 150 meter track. 24 laps in total! After going around in circles so many times you forget where you are in the race as the laps start to blend together after a while.
With 2 laps left, I just tried to maintain my form and stay as relaxed as possible as my legs became rubbery. Wasn't sure what my pace was as I came to the bell lap but pushed myself as hard as I could around the final lap. I crossed the finish line in a time of 5:37.73. I broke the previous age group record for this event but so did someone else as I finished 2nd in my age group of 7 men 50-54 years old. The first place finisher in my age group was 1.4 seconds ahead of me. Coming in I was fearful of going out too fast, then crashing and burning with a lap to go. Here were my actual lap splits (43, 40, 42, 43, 43, 42, 43, 42). I don't put a lot of stock in age graded conversion charts but the race results provide your age graded time as well. My race graded out to a 4:51 mile, which is the equivalent of a 25 year old male running a 4:51 mile. Anyway, a fun race to do. Charities Challenge does a good job organizing their events and also take a personal interest in those who participate which makes it fun.
Back to outdoor winter racing in Minnesota! Not my cup of tea but that's what I get for living in this wonderful part of the country. My next race is in 12 days - the Team Ortho Polar Dash 10k on New Year's Day in south Minneapolis. It's an out and back 10k on the east side of the river. No idea what the weather will deliver. It could be 15 below zero with blizzard conditions, but that's what makes winter racing in Minnesota exciting - or so I keep telling myself.
YouTube race video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGGeQ8RQWVc
Race results
http://wayzataresults.com/track/2009/ChallengeCourage/
