Track and Field Blogs - RunDMC

The job review is in: Exceeds Expectations. I ran my first race in 7 months. I was out for 3 months completely, then 1mo of easing back into running. Docs were not much help, but deep tissue massage helped immensely. 2mo of base, 1mo of hill work so far and I wanted to test my fitness. I did the San Diego 8k Race for Literacy which is a downhill course – good for the ego, hard on the thighs. My goals going into the race were to at least break 30min, and an outstanding day would be sub 29.

The first mile starts with slight uphill that really shocks the body with a fast start. I got to the mile marker expecting to hear 5:55, 56 etc, but it was a 5:39. I was tight in the hams and butt muscles, but otherwise feeling smooth. The second mile is basically flat and I settled a little hitting it in 11:37 (5:58). Then the course turns onto the 163 Fwy and the downhill starts and never lets up until the finish. 17:24 at 3mi (5:47), then I decided to let loose and really go for it. I got to 4mi at 22:49 (5:25) as I chased down a guy and we proceeded to battle it out over the last mile. Another guy caught us somehow and tried to go by after the last turn with about 600m to go. I eased on the gas and slid past him again, then dropped the hammer with about 250m to go and pulled away. Both guys ended up being in my age group. Good thing I didn’t throw in the towel. Finished in 28:15 (5:25 last ~mi), 20^th Overall, 3^rd Age Group.

I am very pleased with the race since it was about 40sec faster than I even hoped to run. The knee held up well.

DMC