Beacon Run 25K
This event is the race put on by the OKC Landrunners. It includes a 5K, 15K, and 25K; 15 & 25 go out together.
This was a weird weather day (imagine that for Oklahoma...); 39 with WI of 34; mist; fog; slight NE wind (5-8 mph), 100% humid
Warmed up with Court and Blake running ~ 1.5 miles and warm-up drills
Went out with Blake who was running 15K; I did it different today and watched pace for 1st couple of miles to avoid going out too fast (aka Tulsa Run). I slowly drifted away from Blake after about 2 miles (he went on to run a solid 15K winning his age group) and ran with Jonathan Morris (just won a Half Marathon in MS few weeks ago and wen 2:55 full in Houston) until the last mile before turn around. I felt based on breathing I was going a little too fast and looking back was just a little; one thing I would do different was he took a gel about 1.5 miles before turn around and I didn't thinking there would be some water at the turn...there wasn't. What was at the turn was ice-like slick pavement on a slight downhill. My turn leg went out from under me into a spilt and I felt a tweak. Luckily a week later I am not feeling anything but it shook me up at the time. With that on my mind, losing energy from calorie need and back to running into a wind over next 5 miles I slowed pace by about 10-sec per mile. I also was running solo in my race all the way back.
I took my one gel and starting feeling somewhat better with about 4 miles to go and kept a steady pace as I battled motivation and dodged slower 15K finishers; I can honestly say this race is a daunting distance for me knowing I have to run it like a half but longer. My brain finally allowed me to know I could speed up and not go into oxygen/allergy breathing debt and ran last 3/4 mile at 6:10 pace trying to break 1:41 as I finally glanced at my watch. Didn't make it, but did finish 4th overall, 1st in AG and 1st Master. My time also got me on the USATF Oklahoma Age Group Record list for the 25K. Overall very pleased with race as it was also a PR at age 47. I know I continue to sabotage myself with not getting back to racing weight (closer to 170 lbs for this race) so know if I get it together, better races are still ahead of me (Lord willing and fingers crossed).
Post-Race Thoughts: 1) Very beat up like running Boston. Why? Has to be no outside tempo runs this year; all the faster longer efforts have been on treadmill. 2) bum ankle over last 3 years post-race overly sore = easy answer of 170 lbs in racing flats over 25K; but 1 week later back to normal thanks to Dicharry information and ART. 3) Racing flats on slick surface can be like ice skating. 4) Need 2 gels over this distance as felt little low on energy. 5) Don't run a hilly 14 miler at 6:50 average including 4 under 6:35 the weekend before (got caught up being the old man long running with younger). 6) Don't toss the throw away gloves too early on a cold day; coming back into slight wind both hands and forearms went numb until about 15-20 min afterwards (I ran in singlet and shorts). 7) Don't talk myself out of a race I logically know I am prepared for; I almost did due to weather and not motivated to run it.
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