This event is the smaller version of the Jersey Shore Half Marathon, which was my first ever HM 3 years ago and which I did every year ever since. I always had a PR here, and it was also a good experience, so I couldn't skip it this year. But after last weekend's JerseyMan, I wasn't in the mood for another 13.1 miles, so I picked the shorter 5K.
Getting on Sandy Hook, I remembered why I love this event, there's lots of friendly people, a great racing atmosphere, cool organizers and nice scenery around. I had to wait for the HM'ers to leave and kinda felt like a sandbagger. With a small field of about 180, I started right at the front and for a bit hang with the leaders, before dropping back a bit. First mile was 6:37, which was great considering I had a headwind. Actually who am I kidding, it was way too fast. My PR was 22:04, which means 7:06/mile. The wind eventually won and a few runners passed me, but after the turn-around I found it easier to fend them off. I was going all-out, and I wasn't even looking at the Garmin that often anymore. With about half a mile to go a few runners tried to pass me and once I was sure they're not my age group I just let them go. Then I heard the cheerleaders near the finish line... well, doing the shorter version I missed on the fun of all the cheerleaders who man the water stops, and who usually provide a great show with lots of encouragements.
I see the clock, and it's quickly closing on 22 minutes, I try to sprint as hard as I can. Another guy just flies by me, where did he have all that energy left?? I'm clenching my teeth, but I can't make it before 22:03. So:
The Bad: I didn't go under 22 minutes, by just 3 seconds...
The Good: A 1 second PR is still a PR, especially so soon after the Half Ironman
The Better: I feel I had a few seconds in me, I should've pushed harder around the 2nd mile
I still had a good feeling about this, so I hung around waiting for the results and indeed, I won my very competitive M30-39 age group!! This is my 2nd age group win this year, and the first time I get the real hardware!! (first time, the RD ordered just 3rd place plaques by mistake). Not a bad thing when my season is supposed to be over and I should only race for fun.
I placed 17 overall and my luck was that 2 of my fellow age-groupers were in the Top 3, so they left my category open. Now that I know I could go under 22, is it time to set 21 as my goal for next year?
Getting on Sandy Hook, I remembered why I love this event, there's lots of friendly people, a great racing atmosphere, cool organizers and nice scenery around. I had to wait for the HM'ers to leave and kinda felt like a sandbagger. With a small field of about 180, I started right at the front and for a bit hang with the leaders, before dropping back a bit. First mile was 6:37, which was great considering I had a headwind. Actually who am I kidding, it was way too fast. My PR was 22:04, which means 7:06/mile. The wind eventually won and a few runners passed me, but after the turn-around I found it easier to fend them off. I was going all-out, and I wasn't even looking at the Garmin that often anymore. With about half a mile to go a few runners tried to pass me and once I was sure they're not my age group I just let them go. Then I heard the cheerleaders near the finish line... well, doing the shorter version I missed on the fun of all the cheerleaders who man the water stops, and who usually provide a great show with lots of encouragements.
I see the clock, and it's quickly closing on 22 minutes, I try to sprint as hard as I can. Another guy just flies by me, where did he have all that energy left?? I'm clenching my teeth, but I can't make it before 22:03. So:
The Bad: I didn't go under 22 minutes, by just 3 seconds...
The Good: A 1 second PR is still a PR, especially so soon after the Half Ironman
The Better: I feel I had a few seconds in me, I should've pushed harder around the 2nd mile
I still had a good feeling about this, so I hung around waiting for the results and indeed, I won my very competitive M30-39 age group!! This is my 2nd age group win this year, and the first time I get the real hardware!! (first time, the RD ordered just 3rd place plaques by mistake). Not a bad thing when my season is supposed to be over and I should only race for fun.
I placed 17 overall and my luck was that 2 of my fellow age-groupers were in the Top 3, so they left my category open. Now that I know I could go under 22, is it time to set 21 as my goal for next year?