Spring Forward Distance Run 15k

Run: 9.3 miles in 1:06:23 min. @ 8:30 a.m. + 2.5 miles
Weather: Fair, 34°F, 81% Humidity, Wind: W @ 10 mph; feels like 26°F.
Pace: 7:11 min/mile
Course: "The course is hilly and a great tune up for late spring marathon or 1/2 marathons. Three Water Stops on course with water, gel and Electrolyte Drink at mile 6. The Start is on Douglas Road and the Finish is on the dirt road next to Stewart Lodge."~ from the race website
Official results: Here courtesy of YellowJacket Racing.

This morning's run marks an anniversary of sorts; the first road race I registered for and begrudgingly got over my insecurities and actually showed up, was the 2005 Spring Forward 15k. That year I finished with a time of 1:17:45 (split: 8:21). The following year, 2006, I improved significantly and made it in 1:06:46.849 (Split: 0:07:11). Though I could swear I also ran this race in 2007 (the results prove me wrong each time!), I purposely did not register for the 2008 edition due to other commitments.

Pre-Race Ruminations: This April 2009 road race marks the start of my fifth year of road race running (holy alliteration!), something if you'd have told me six years ago I would still be doing, I would never believe... but here I still am.

Perhaps the most significant change in my approach from that man who signed up in 2005 (or from even two years ago) is that I now don't feel as "obligated" to run in every single 5-15k that appears on the racing calendar--which once March picks up is at least 2-3 a weekend. Some folks do, I just don't. For me, running has become more of a personal pursuit or challenge than a matter of "me" versus "them," or fulfilling some imaginary requirement of the running community to be at every "big race." Every race is a big race for someone, so props to evryone who crosses the Finish Line.

For whatever reason, this year I've signed up and picked up my number (and perfunctory t-shirt) at the local FleetFeet for the Spring Forward Distance Run 15k and have committed to be at the back of the pack when the bullhorn goes off this morning.

Let's see what happens, shall we?

Post-Race Observations: Due to the benefit of having as friend to run the course with, I believe I may have PR'd at this distance and certainly put together my best run in this particular race, finishing with an approximate time of 1:06:20. The only downfall was that my chest did start aching badly at about mile seven, but I held on until the finish. All-in-all it was another quality
YellowJacket Racing event, that started with a cool wind but ended awash glorious sun!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!