Race Report - Bumble Bee 5K (& Balloon Parade!)

Background

Haven't done a lot outside of work and run since my last race. I did run the Las Vegas Rock n Roll Half Marathon w/ Alanna, to both help her PR and have an excuse to go to Vegas. One thing new to the training of late is the addtion of weight training. Now, just by looking at me you could probably tell that I'm no stranger to the weight room, but this was a bit different and felt more tedious than anything else. With that said and with months between my last race effort, I was getting ansy to run. Bumble Bee 5k fit in nicely.

Pre-Race

The parking situation downtown would've sucked if you were going there strictly for the parade, but as I was racing as well it made for a good warm-up. I lined up near the front as this race was not chip timed. I was actually surprised with how small the event was, but at least that made it easier to line up. Chatted with fellow Track Club/JT clients while waiting for the gun. Also noticed a stroller to my right...this could get interesting.

Race

I think the announcer actually said 'ready. set. go!' Within 3 seconds I had past the start line. Within 10 seconds I was getting up to speed. Within 15 seconds a runner had fallen, presumably trying to pass slower runners OR being passed by faster runners. My cat-like reflexes kept me safe from danger and things thinned out significantly within a minute. The race headed south along harbor drive.

"This is fast," I thought to myself for the first mile when I looked at my watch. 6:45 through 1 mile. This was fast. The second mile started in front of the San Diego Convention Center, a slight dip in the road that lead to the Center's underground parking proved to be the only hill. 'This is still fast, Ryan' (yes I refer to myself by my first name; we're homies like that). 6:50 as we wrapped around the Center making our way back north along the water of the embarcadero. At this point of the race is about when I started rationalizing my effort vs. expected results to myself. 'Hey Ry (I get real informal when I want something), you know if you slow down a tad, you'll still PR.' 75% of the time, I listen 100% of the time. That wasn't the case here. I'm not sure what happened, but I kept pushing. My vision became blurred and all I could see were the feet of the old man behind me. While I slowed, the effort did not decrease. 7:12. I'll take it. W/ a tenth left I could see the finish line. A straight shot along the the embarcadero w/ the U.S.S. Midway in the background. Go. With the wife and child cheering me on, I finished 29 seconds later, a time of 21:18 per my watch (I was used to the chip time, so I didn't start it until I crossed the start line. Official times to come).

Post - Race

That was all I had today. Might not seem fast to many, but for me it's my best and my best by over 95 seconds. I started running races into the 7 minute / mile range in 2008 and have been waiting since then for this, my first sub 7 minute race (6:51 per my watch). I'm quite excited about it and am about to celebrate w/ several drinks and good friends. I've had a rough year and am glad to finish on a high note w/ my family at the finish.