I raced the Chevy Chase 5k yesterday. It was done in a ‘chase’ format, which was completely foreign to me: We lined up based on a projected finish time submitted at registration and started ONE BY ONE, at 5 or 10 second intervals, can’t remember which and wasn’t paying attention. Weird, yes?
We lined up by bib number in several numbered ‘chutes’. I was near the back of the first one. Talk about a chance to size each other up! I was a tad uneasy because the time I wrote down was a smidge ambitious for me at this point. Aim high though right? One can dream.
Since the entire race was run on a golf course cart path, the process was designed to eliminate bottle necks. Hallelujah!
It was a cold, clear day. In the 30’s but a wicked, howling wind made it seem much colder. I wore a new Janji half zip (review to come) and some ancient but fabulous UA Coldgear tights. The golf club allowed us to hang out indoors pre-race. How awesome is that? Soon it was time to get the party started. I had one goal:
Make this my fastest 5k of the year.
I’ve been slowly, arduously chipping out of this health funk I’ve been in for awhile now. Although I have no endurance to speak of, I’ve been peppering the weeks with some speed work and cross-training like its my job. I so wanted to see some progress in the form of improved race times.
The crew lined up ahead of me was mostly dudes. One whippet-thin woman stood out among the first 5 starters. She could easily be my age. One more appeared far younger.
Directly behind me though was a well-muscled woman in a Chicago Marathon jacket.
Before I knew it, my turn to start had come. Try not going out too fast when all eyes are on you. I blazed out like it was my job, fully aware I’d pay for it later.
The wind made a brutal cross cut over the wide open landscape as I headed west. It became a soul crushing effer when I turned north, dead into it. The interval start worked like a charm, although there was nobody to use as a windbreak either. The course wound, with hairpin turns, making it easy to assess the front runners on the out and backs, as well as where Chi Marathon lady was behind me.
When I learned to play chess, I realized it was more effective to take an offensive stance than it was to always be reacting to my opponent. Yet, here all I thought about was putting space between myself and Chi-marathon jacket, rather than catching anyone ahead. So it came as a surprise when I picked off a guy in front of me. Then another. I ran the whole race flirting with my puke threshold, telling myself how great I felt, how strong and effortless this was. All of it lies.
In the final mile a pack of cross country boys with matching orange hair whizzed by so fast I felt like I was no longer moving forward. In the final turn I could see I’d gained considerable ground on Chi-jacket and a couple of guys had passed her. She’d be hard-pressed to catch me now…but she’s got marathon endurance under her belt so I refused to let up and pushed hard to the finish.
The post-race festivities were held in a golf-club ballroom of all places. The whippet ran a sub-7 average pace…way out of my league. But I beat Chi-Marathon jacket by almost a full minute. My fastest 5k of the year by 30+ seconds. Good enough for AG2 and third overall woman. It was actually my best 5k since May, 2011 so I’m not sure if calling it a PR is appropriate, but to me it kind of is.
This race was very well done, especially for an inaugural event. The volunteers were plentiful and SO encouraging. I appreciated them opening up their facility so we could warm up. The medal and tech shirt are nice, although the shirt is way too big. Overall this race was well worth the $25 entry fee.
Have you seen an individually staggered start before? What is the shelf life of a PR?
Okay…so I’m kind of pissed about a couple of things here. First, we need to know your TIME. Great story and all, but HOW FAST did you actually go? That will give us all a better idea if it’s worth it to keep following your blog. Second, how come I didn’t win your free shit thing? I always rig my contests so you get something. Or are you still mad that you didn’t win the purple socks and sexy warrior DVD?
Congrats on a great race 🙂
Very interesting – I’ve never done a race like that or heard of it even. I guess at least then you don’t have to deal with that wall of people you have to try to zig zag your way around. Great job!
That sounds so cool! I have never done one like that. Congrats on an awesome time! Love meeting goals!
I love that new half zip! I am going to review them too soon and I think I am going to buy one of those – b/c I need a new half zip 😉
I’ve never seen a start like that – but sounds like it worked for the crowd control. Congrats on a speedy 5K – please send some of your speed my way, would ya 😉
I have only done that individual staggered starts at triathlons with pool swims at the beginning
Congratulations on a speedy 5K! I can honestly say I’ve never seen an individually staggered start before.
Congrats on the race! I’ve never done a staggered start at a 5K but I don’t run those nearly often enough!
I’ve never heard of a race like that, but it sounds kind of awesome and intimidating at the same time. Way to go on the AG win!! You have so many local races; I’m jealous!
That sounds like a cool race structure. I have heard of a few local races that are designed like that, I just haven’t been able to participate. It does sound fun though!
Congrats on a great race and the age group and overall placing!!! And – I think at the very least you can say it is your 2013 PR!!!
That start reminds me of workouts back in high school – we used to do a mile loop that way – so much fun!!! (I was always last to start and my goal was always to finish first – I loved that workout every time!!)
Wahooooo! Fun event and funny recap. Love it!
So to run a fast 5k I need to have people ahead to chase, people behind to chase me and I need to lie effectively to myself. Well done! You’re finishing the year in style.
I have not seen a staggered start. It sure worked for you! Congrats on such a good job.
I love how you name your fellow runners, it’s extremely entertaining!! I would definitely say worth calling it a PR – congrats!!
My running club has a Masters 10K that staggers the start based on age and gender. It often has unusual matchups as they sprint to the finish. We’ve got two runners in their 80s so they start about 10-15 min ahead of the 40 year olds. I believe this is how the Dipsea Trail Run is started too.
After 40 years old, I know a lot of people start keeping PRs in the age group they’re in, either 10 year or 5 year increments.
Congrats!!
Well done, Louise, well done!! Your year is closing on a positive upswing! 🙂
Congrats on beating your time by 30 seconds – that is awesome. I am still procrastinating signing up for my first 5K 🙂
This would be a great race for me! I wouldn’t have to worry about all the different people I didn’t pass up. Because they were let out of the gate before me. Nice!
Congrats! I’d call it a PR. Or at least a PR for the last two years. 🙂
That race scheme sounds like a nightmare! Sub 7s!? That’s awesome! What was your final time?
Yay! Congrats on your new fast time and AG/overall placement! I have done a race that is staggered like this (the Corn Maze race). Kind of interesting, right?
Congrats on a great race, AG place and 3rd overall! That’s awesome.