2019 Navy 5k Recap

This year marked the 75th anniversary of Operation Neptune at Normandy Beach.  The medal commemorated the event and was quite nice.  This was my first EVER race.  I did the 5k with a 4:1 run/walk interval back in 2011 I believe.  It was also my first EVER 10k...not sure why I decided this would be my race of firsts over the years.

We lined up for a 9:30 start, combining both the 5k and the 10k runners.  This race likes to switch up the direction we run and this year, runners would be heading towards downtown which meant a sharp 90 degree turn about 100m into the race...just great for bottle-necking!  Once cleared of this corner, the runners/walkers do spread out and there is less weaving involved.  My thoughts throughout this run were centered around trying to figure out which direction had more elevation.  According to another runner....it was this direction.  

In past races, I am aware that if I look at my garmin and the pace is 5:15 or under, I immediately panic and tell myself I can't maintain that pace.  Sooooo....I decided early on in this race that I would not look at my watch...not once.  I didn't look at kilometer markings, I didn't look at pace...it would be what it would be.  This direction choice does allow a decline (although slight) for the final 1.5k.  It also affords a loooonnnngggg look at the finish shoot...and it seems to take forever to actually reach it!

Finish-line photos are never glamorous.  I was able to finish in 26.34 (chip time) which earns me a seasons best and a course best.  I'll take it.  My final 2 kilometers read 5:05 and 5:04 which is fast for me...thank god for a decline. :-)

The race shirt was 'performance' cotton.  I was actually surprised at how many people wore the shirt to run in....it was hot and humid yesterday.  Not to mention, I have always felt you have to run to earn the shirt...I never wear a shirt for which I haven't run the race.  Anyone else wait to wear the shirt until after the race...or do you wear the shirt to run in??

I have no other races on the schedule...but I'm sure that will change as time goes on.  I usually always do something at the Valley Harvest...and I might try to fit another race in before that.  Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Recap of Michelin Tire Trot 5k

Boy....this wasn't my day.

The weather was beautiful...the scenery gorgeous...but that darn route was tough.

We ran past this view

The first 1km was a decline...I mean...I ran a pace of 4:55 easily.  I also knew from running last year that this meant that the last kilometer would be uphill.  I was running along, and I looked down at my garmin at about 1.75km...and BAM...it was blank!  BLANK despite having charged it the night before.  It was hot and I was having a hard time breathing, and at about 2.5km, I gave up.  That's right...I gave up...mentally not having my garmin working messed with me mentally....BIG TIME!  I walked...not once...not twice...but three times!  I can't even remember the last time I did that.

I did pull it together in time for the camera though.  LOL

Despite a very crappy run, it was so great seeing friends and meeting some folks off Instagram that I usually only see online.

There were so many BLT runners at this race....everywhere you looked, you would see the club's shirt.

 

I think I count 32 of us



Bridgewater is my home town, so after the race, I ventured to a local bakery to bury my sorrows in raison braids.....so good!!

I have no more 'scheduled' races but I'm sure that will change at some point.   Oh...the good news is that when I got home...plugged in my Vivoactive and it does still work.  Yahoo!