Track and Field Blogs - Gerardo Mora

The weather reports had consistently been telling us that it was going to warm up just in time for the race Sunday. Only, they had been telling us it would be a low around 60 degrees – not the 68 degrees we ended up getting. Not to mention the 10-15 MPH southeasterly winds we were now getting. It was not going to be a good weather day for racing. Well … not for most of us who like to race these events. The recreational runner would probably prefer 68 degrees over 40 degrees.

In addition to concerns with the weather, I had a new issue to deal with – patellar tendinitis. I had developed this new found nuisance on Tuesday afternoon, just about 100 meters before completing my run. It would have been nice if it had quietly gone away the next day, but no such luck. It has become a nagging problem ever since.

I was told the day before at packet pick-up by Juan Vielma that once again Wilmer Bustillos would not be at this race. There was no sign of Rudy Rocha either – not surprising since he said he wouldn’t run the race. On this day I would only have to concern myself with Joe Flores and Tom King.

I knew that on conditions like the ones being faced at this race, it isn’t always the better runner that wins – it is often the runner who runs the more strategic race. My plan was to run a conservative pace early and allow others who take out too fast, to go. As the gun goes off, there is nothing out of the ordinary. The normal crowd of strong runners lead the charge up the bridge that leaves the Wortham Center downtown on Memorial.

I decide early on to get in behind a group of strong runners being led by Joe Flores. This included Joseph Route, Michael Defee, Juan Carlos Vielma, Joe Oviedo, and I. My hope was to run 6:00 pace early as I felt that anything faster than that would be a struggle under these conditions. To my dissatisfaction, we come through the first mile in 5:42. Fortunately, Joe eased off the accelerator and came through the next two miles in 5:50, with the pack all clustered close by. Mile four showed signs of the winds coming in from the southeast as we slowed a tad more to 5:52. At this point I’m glad not to be pressing the pace as I feel like this pace will not hold up for the entire 25K. I’m not feeling terrible, but also know that on days like this, the wheels can fall off in a hurry.

Mile five slows to a 6:03 mile as we climb the overpass back into downtown. At this point, Joe Flores decides to put on one of his patented surges. The problem for him is that the pack goes after him with me bringing in the rear. At the end of the first loop, I’m feeling OK, but not looking to press the pace as I continue to bring in the rear. Mile six comes through in 5:42. I was not expecting that, but if you wanted to stay with the pack, is what was being called for. I’m not sure what happened next as I slowly climb into the lead and mile seven is in 5:48. I can only guess that my momentum to keep up with the pack caused me to keep going once Joe Flores eased off the accelerator.

As we approach mile eight, I STOP to drink two ounces of Gatorade and the pack flys by me (I didn’t drink an ounce at either the 10 miler or the half marathon). Joe Oviedo takes over the lead and I happily concede those duties to him as we come through mile eight in a more subdued 5:53. At this point, we’ve managed to drop Joseph Route. Heading back into downtown and the southeasterly wind, we slow to a 6:01 for mile nine. Mile ten continues to show the effects of the wind and humidity as we slow to 6:03. To me, however, it was surprising to see the pack continue to cling together as we complete the second loop, but things are about to change.

Joe Oviedo takes command of the pack at this point, with Michael Defee and I in pursuit. The pack quickly starts to fall apart, however. Joe O. keeps pace and I decide not to follow, as my concern is Joe Flores and the Master’s title. I missed the eleven mile mark, but come through the next two miles in 11:46, so I was managing to keep the wheels from falling off. As I go by a few spectators, they inform me that the pack behind me is falling back. At this point, I’m tempted to back off of the gas pedal, but fight the temptation. I figure with a solid lead on what is left of the pack, that I could dim any hopes pursuers would have of catching me.

Mile thirteen is a solid 5:51, at which point Terry Garrett (who is a spectator) confirms that Joe F. has fallen back and that I have the race in hand. I’m not feeling quite that confident yet and continue to push as I come through mile fourteen in 5:53. I take a peek back to see who is behind me and see nothing but slower runners who have been lapped. At this point I take the foot off the accelerator and come through mile fifteen in 6:03 and the last half mile in 3:08 to finish in 1:31:28. A 5:53.4 mile pace - good enough for fourth overall and my first ever Master’s title at this race.

The awards were nice – 4” x 4” prisms, plus $100 cash for the winners of the overall/masters race. Everyone who completed the race also received a bright yellow long sleeved techno shirt with phone and MP3 player pockets. Nice! Despite having to run 15.5 miles and feeling rather tired afterwards, this is one of my favorite races!

My knee was not a bother during the run which is good news. The bad news is that it continues to nag me in my normal day to day activities. I’m trying to ice and ibuprofen it back to health and am hoping I can avoid needing to take time off from running. Only time will tell. I need to stay healthy to keep my HARRA streak alive – The 25K was my 31^st consecutive HARRA race (37 if you include the relays). For now, I’m a tired, but happy camper as I continue to run well…