Running and maybe some other stuff: Race Report: 5k Resolution Run to Kick Cancer [Sat, Jan 8, 2011]

Race Report: 5k Resolution Run to Kick Cancer on Saturday, January 8, 2011

SUMMARY

Date: Saturday, Jan 8, 2011, 11:00am start
Location: Knights of Columbus, Lexington, MA
Conditions: 28F, little to no wind, ground slightly wet after light snowfall
Distance: 5k / 3.1 mile race (flat course)
Finish time: 21:15
Average pace: 6:51 / mile
Mile splits: 6:49, 7:04, 6:46 (0:36)
Overall Finish: 24th out of 548 total runners
Age Group: 3rd place in M30-39 Age Group

Resolution Run to Kick Cancer 5k

PRE-RACE
Great race for a great cause. The Resolution Run to Kick Cancer 5k is not only a great race, but also a community fundraising event to support cancer research (The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society). Here's a notable quote from the race website leading up to race day: "Attention runners: Saturday’s forecast is for snow. We are planning to hold the race 'snow or shine'.... It's winter. It snows. Running in winter is hard, but not as hard as battling cancer."

As for nutrition, I had some Masoor Dal (lentil soup) for dinner the night before and some more for breakfast, I think I may try that again for the next race since it kept me feeling full and nourished.

Race day morning wasn't without drama. Snow wasn't an issue, but my car didn't start (hadn't driven it in a couple weeks) - fortunately a fairly quick jump-start and I was off to pick up my buddy James and head over to the race.

Registration at the race site was quick and easy, and after a 5-10 minute warm-up with friends James, Andy & Joe, we toed the starting line ready for the race to kick-off. Race time conditions were 28F and cloudy, with practically no wind. I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt with gloves and a headband in case my ears got cold.

THE RACE
The course was mostly flat with a couple short rises and dips, slightly wet at points, but clear of any snow. We ran past the historic Lexington Battle Green and right through Lexington Center.

I hoped to pace the race evenly, and have two sets of data to gauge that:
-- GPS tracking splits using phone: 7:11, 6:52, 6:31 (0:41)
-- Stopwatch splits at mile markers: 6:49, 7:04, 6:46 (0:36)
The stopwatch splits seem a lot more reliable since I registered them at each mile marker and they more clearly seem to match the effort I felt. Besides, the GPS tracking technology tends to have to 'catch up' sometimes, so I think those figures are less reliable. Anyway, still want to work on my pacing, but in any case, my primary goal for this race was to break a 7:00/mile pace, so I'm pleased.

POST RACE PARTY AND RESULTS
Great post-race celebration, lots of yummy food and a warm hall to hang out and enjoy.
Final time for 5k (3.1 miles): 21:15 (pace 6:51/mile)
Overall Finish: 24th out of 548 total runners
Age Group: 3rd place in M30-39 Age Group (nice surprise)

PICTURES

Don't have any in-race pictures yet, will update if the race organizers provide any.