With two weeks of speed work under my belt, I decided it was time to test out the hamstring with a 5K race. The last few races I'd run with or for others; this one was for myself. Run with the Cops was a 2015 target race for RUNdetroit Flight Club and RUNdetroit was sponsoring the event. What better place for my first "official" race of the season?
The race was on Belle Isle. I parked near the Casino, which ended up being about a mile from the start. That was perfect because I needed to get a mile warm-up in before the race. The race was staged in cute little village area outside of the zoo. Because it was Run with the Cops, the Detroit Police Department was there with horses, cars, and a bomb squad. It was pretty cool to have all that there before and after the race. Had I remembered to bring my phone I would have taken some photos!
The 10K race started at 9:30, followed by the 5K at 9:45. This gave me enough time to do my run drills and be good and warmed up before the race. I didn't have a pacing plan because I hadn't raced a 5K since, um, March 2014 I think (Mustache Dache doesn't count since I in bad shape post-marathon). And that was when I was healthy and in my best Boston shape. I knew I wasn't going to be anywhere near that so I wanted to just go out and see what I could do today.
Want to know what I did? I ran like a kid in my first race! I went balls to the wall from the start and slowed down with each mile. My splits were 6:34, 6:48, 7:00. Hardly the racing strategy of the pros. Or anyone who knows anything about racing. HA!
I was able to keep close to the front of the pack for most of the race. Around the halfway point I chicked one of the dudes (Captain America - so that felt pretty good). When I hit mile 2 I finally passed another guy I'd been chasing down for some time. He'd been running strong so I knew I would have to push the pace to maintain my lead. I was confident I'd beaten him - until I hit the 3 mile marker and I heard footsteps behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and there he was! Seriously?? This guy was good. He slowly but surely took the lead and that lead steadily grew. We rounded a corner, turning left into the final stretch to the finish. Suddenly he had this kick like I've never seen and left me in his dust. What a finish! I gave it my all and finished strong - 2rd female and 5th overall.
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| Oh happy day - a RUNdetroit gift certificate! |
Although my pacing wasn't well-planned, I was happy with my overall time. Only 1:03 to shave off and I'll be down to my PR. More speed work to be done - at consistent paces!
I really enjoyed Run with the Cops. While Belle Isle isn't my favorite place for long races, I think it's great for a 5K or 10K. The other races I've done have started at the Casino but this started outside the zoo. It was fun to run the loop starting at a different point. All the participants were nice and relaxed at the start and very encouraging at the end. The race supports the For a Day Foundation. I always love a good race that supports a charity.
After the race I hung out for a bit while other runners and walkers finished both the 5K and 10K. There were some sweet old-school jams playing that totally made my day. Seriously, how can you not love a race that plays MC Hammer at the finish line?? After the rest of RUNdetroit Flight Club finished I picked up a water and banana from a friendly volunteer and then ran my mile cool-down back to the car.
I recommend this race and hope I'm able to do it again next year!
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| I didn't get any photos at the race so Brian took my picture when I got home. I couldn't be happier to be back to racing! |
Time
21:06
Pace
6:48/mile
Fuel
CLIF Shot (Vanilla)
Tunes
Violent Shiver / Benjamin Booker
I've Had It Up to Here / Weezer
Shake It Off / Taylor Swift
The Innocent / Mayor Hawthorne
50 Ways to Say Goodbye / Train
Dancing Shoes / Arctic Monkeys
Man / Neko Case
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