One thing that was worrying me was what to wear on race day, it was going to be cold but I warm up really fast, so I didn't want to put on too many layers. So I decided to go with my Nike Pro combat long sleeve and CES t-shirt over that, then my running tights and shorts over them. I figured I'd be warm enough to not be too cold but also not risk over heating. Of course I wore my gloves and CES hat, I mean i am bald after all. I will say my choice of clothing was perfect at no point did I over heat or feel like I was freezing.
This race was important for me on a few different levels.
1. Yasmin's company was putting it on and I didn't want to be the slowest guy out there
2. I haven't PR'd in a while and honestly was sick of it
3. This was the race i was going to use to get my training paces for my next marathon.
At this race I decided to do something I normally don't do, I went almost to the front of the start line. I was maybe 3 feet away from the start line. This was a part of my game plan, because I am tired of being in the middle of the pack and then fighting my way around people. The other part of my plan was to PR, so I checked the last 8k I ran and it was Shamrock Shuffle in March and I ran 8:10 pace. I figured as long as a I ran an 8 min mile I can get a PR. As I waited at the start I took a deep breath and cleared my mind, (this is difficult for me). 8 am hit and nothing yet, a min later the horn blew and we were off. I am a very realistic person and as much as i wanted to keep up with the lead pack I decided I was running my race and not letting anyone else dictate my pace. I reached Mile 1 at 7 min and 12 sec, (Crap!) I was going much faster then I had planned. I decided to stay the course and every once in a while check my pace. As I saw the mile 3 marker I realized that I had 15 min to finish and PR. I refused to slow down. My body would have to force me to slow down before I let it. Too many times in my life, not just running, I had given up when things got tough. Not today! I ran down the finale stretch and with only half mile left I saw Yasmin and her friends walking, I gave her a quick hug and kiss and kept going. I made the finale turn and saw the finish line. I did it I PR'D! I liked the course since it was one I've never ran before and it cut through the entertainment district of Rosemont.
I stopped my watch and went into the German restaurant that the gear check was at. I put on my outer layer and headed back along the course. I figured I'd walk backwards since that would give me a better chance to catch up to Yasmin and her friends. As I was walking I made it a point to have the medal showing, so that can see how close they were to finishing. I cheered a bunch of people on, and even say Jennifer (Our niece). As I was walking along they started to re route the last few runners to the side walk so they can get traffic moving again. I finally caught up to Yasmin and walked the rest of the course with her. I told her about my time and she even said "That's a PR, right?". As they got closer to the finish I ran ahead so I could get a picture of her crossing the finish line.
Not only did I PR for the 8K but I once ran the Cinco De Miler (5 Mile race) well, this course was over 5 miles and I beat my Cinco De Miler time by a good 10 seconds. I Did something that I didn't think I would be able to do, I broke an 9 min mile for a race that is over a 5K. My next big goal is to start training in December for the Wisconsin Marathon in May. When I was trying to figure out what I should shoot for with WI, my coach said "Run a short distance race and go all out" that'll help you figure out your paces and what you can do. Well, I got my paces figured out and fingers crossed I think I can run a sub 4 hour at Wiscons
Awesome Baby
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