DIANE KELLY MEMORIAL 5K Race Report

Race Results
Sorted by Age Group

We drove back to our hometown in Pennsylvania for this one. I wasn't sure if I was going to run or be the photographer. I dressed as if I were going to run it. It was a rainy morning so I wasn't sure I wanted to have the camera equipment out and getting wet.

The race start was about a mile from the house. We picked up Todd along the way and it sounded like he wanted me to run as well. So why not? Well this will mean I'll be racing 3 weeks in a row. 5K. 4 mi. 10K. Maybe it will be a good progression.

After sitting in the car for 6+ hours to get here the night before, I wanted to make sure I got a decent warmup in. I wanted to know if anything was going to be unhappy now rather than once I got started. I started my warmup at the right time but I ended about 5 minutes too soon. Not a big deal, I just felt like I should have kept moving is all.

I was going to be curious how this was going to go from a nutrition standpoint. This was day 6 of no simple carbs. No sugar, flour.... So I wasn't going to take a GU pre race either.

There looked to be about 200 people at the start line. I'd say about a dozen of them are people I went to high school with. Jim and Lonnie were up on the starting line. Todd, Jerry, Marty and I were back a bit. Directly behind me were a couple of past members of KB2. Ellis and Amanda.

Alright so what am I thinking? Well, judging from my run with Todd last weekend. I can only hope that he goes out too hard and falls apart. Otherwise I've no chance of beating him. Marty? He looks like he's in good running shape. I can only hope I can stay close. Jerry? Maybe he did a P90X leg workout last night and his legs are dead. If not he's going to be right there in the mix with us.

Horn sounds and we are off. A quarter mile into the run I find myself laughing to myself that there are a couple of 7 or 8 year old boys just ahead of me trucking along. I couldn't help but wonder if that was going to be sustainable for them or not. I think I worked past them about half a mile in.

Todd was leading our group of 4. Before he got too far out ahead of us he turned to see where we were and he pulled himself back a bit. Then we ran up the short steep hill and then it was a slight climb to the next turn. This would turn out to be the only time during the race that I would be leading our group of 4.

As we turned onto Madison, Marty, Todd and I were still together. I assumed Jerry was right behind us. It turns out his shoe fell off at the turn, so he wasn't with us any longer. Madison is a long straight stretch that is descending slightly. It was during this section that I was realizing that I'm taking 3 strides to every 2 of Todd and Marty's. (or something close to that). I also realized that I was breathing much harder than either of them... not a good sign.

We hit the 2 mile mark. Todd announces 14:23 or something close to that. Whatever it was, my response was "Too fast for me". I know. Not a very positive response. It definitely made me more concerned than I had been before I knew that bit of information tho'.

At the next turn, about a mile to go. We start climbing again. Todd and Marty are slowly pulling ahead now. There are spectators, just after I pass them. I hear one of them say, "Go Ellis". Ha! She is still right behind me. Well how's that for motivation? I've got Todd and Marty getting away and Ellis just a few steps behind. Just keep digging.

The slight downhill on Jefferson once again reminds me of how I am not using downhills to my advantage currently. I feel like I'm braking on every impact.

Turn onto Conewango. It's basically flat to the finish from here I'm guessing it's a half mile to go. I can see Todd and Marty up ahead but I have no chance of catching them. We run by more spectators and once again just after I pass. I hear "Go Ellis!" At which point I realize I'm going to have to find an extra gear at the end of this. I'm going to have to start earlier than her as well. I decide it's going to be at the turn at the Towers. Only problem is I'm already going all out. Then to make it worse. I try to pass a person ahead of me on his right initially but then he started to go wide, so I went to his left. Fortunately we didn't get tripped up.

Sure enough as we make the final turn. Ellis and another woman have a kick to the finish and both of them finish ahead of me. I crossed the line at 22:14 for a 7:10 min/mile in 30th place. Which is my best pace since 2008. So thank you, Todd, Marty and Ellis for the race. I now have a bit of hope as I start my speed work for the season.

Jim finished in  4th

17:54.10      5:46/M 

Marty finished in  25th
21:59.70      7:05/M

Todd Finished in 26th

22:00.10      7:06/M   

Jerry finished 45th (Thew a shoe)

23:19.80      7:31/M

I leave Genine's story/results out. I figure she might write something up eventually.