Frigid 5k - February 7, 2010

Today was race two of 13 races in the Minnesota Distance Running Association Grand Prix. Last year I ran the Frigid 5 10k event on the same course, although last year's race was in January. This year the Frigid 5 (5k 10k) races were pushed back to February to accommodate the Grand Prix. Although the Frigid 5 sponsors two races, only the 5k race counts toward the Grand Prix.

The Frigid 5 is held annually on the Minnesota State Fair Grounds in St Paul and the course consists of a clockwise loop through the grounds. The 5k is two full laps around the course beginning and ending at the Coliseum. Race conditions were very good for this time of year. Partly cloudy, 20 degrees with a light breeze from the SE. Much to my delight this allowed me to run in relatively light clothing (two thin shirts and light gloves) and with the course mostly clear of snow I was also able to wear my racing flats.

With good weather conditions I was hoping to break 20 minutes, something I've done two other times but only in warm weather races. My best winter 5k time is 21:09 set last year. I started out a bit too fast in the first half mile (6:15 pace) and spent the rest of mile 1 gradually easing back. I wanted to average a 6:25 pace overall but much to my surprise I eased up too much and finished the first mile in 6:33. A little panicky I tried to pick up the pace. I passed mile two in 6:26 but still not where I wanted to be. I ran mile 3 in 6:25 but needed a fast last tenth of a mile to break 20 minutes. I crossed the line with a time of 20:01 failing to break 20 minutes by the shortest of margins.

I was surprised and a little dissapointed that I didn't break 20 minutes as I felt confident going in, but sometimes it doesn't work out. The good news is I did run my fastest winter 5k by over a minute. I finished 12th among 144 finishers and 2nd in my age group. My finishing place earned me 828 points in the Grand Prix pushing my point total to 1,573 after two races and bumped me from 14th to 8th place in the overall Grand Prix standings (second in my age group).

My next Grand Prix race is the Human Race on March 28th, an 8k road race on Summit Avenue in St Paul. Until then I continue to train for the Big Sur Marathon in Monterey, CA which takes place in late April.

                                                                            Pictures courtesy of The Sporting Life.

http://www.tslevents.com/TSL/Event/Results.aspx?EID=101