2012 Battle of Stonington 5K - 8/21

So I'm always a bit apprehensive about doing the evening runs...I like getting up early and getting the race started before the butterflies have a chance to get going.  I had a normal breakfast, but by noon I found myself standing in the middle of the supermarket, drawing a complete blank.  I went conservative with my lunch, and stayed moderately well hydrated during the afternoon.  Hey, I didn't cramp up so I did something right, right?

This race is cool for a number of reasons:  First, it's the "Grand Finale" of the Stonington Borough fun runs, held every Tuesday during the summer by Stephen Bessette and his wife Heather.  Great runners in their own right, and they put on a great event.  Second, it's a double loop through one of the most scenic villages in New England, and gives spectators the chance to cheer on their favorite runner four times during the race, just by walking across the town green.  Love that.  Third, it's a community event that also draws some very fast, well-known local runners who continue to amaze me with their speed.  Awesome to watch.  And lastly, the event concludes with a free drink for all the runners at the Dogwatch Cafe, and gives everyone the chance to catch up after the race.  Free drinks? Why, sure!

Did a couple of warmup runs to loosen up.  My nephew Tristan, who's a certified Crossfit Instructor at only 17 years old, called and said he was going to meet me and run the race...and for his first road race, he killed it, coming in 45th at 21:12 (6:50 pace)!  I had a minor coronary at mile 1, though, when I thought my GPS called out a 9:57 first mile...I thought I was going pretty fast for me!  Frantically checked it. Turned out it was a 7:57 :).  Very cool to have several people I know give a cheer at the end of lap one as well!  Another local runner, Rosann, was ahead of me the entire race in a bright orange tank top, so I focused on her, and trying to catch her, and I did at mile 2.75 or so.  Yelled at a lady in a fancy car trying to bulldog her way through the runners, and yelled to the police, who stopped her.  Saw the timer at the last couple hundred yards, and with a good kick I finished in 24:01, at a 7:45 pace, and a new PR!!!  So excited, because I kept a consistent pace and increased it slightly each mile. I think it's the fact that I've increased my weekly mileage, so doing three is mentally much easier.  Came in 92nd out of 250 or so runners...friend Jeff W had one of his best 5Ks ever, and came in 11th at 17:58???  His son Matthew, who is 12 and wicked fast, had a personal best (I think) of 20:48?  Really?  I'll be stoked if I can ever keep up with him.  Mike B blazed an 18:58, and came in 17th.  Great to see everyone doing well and progressing, and I was able to go on a cool down run with Mike and Jeff, before we grabbed a complimentary cocktail at Dogwatch.  Great time, my third year in a row, and one of my favorite races.

Here's me huffing and puffing toward the finish:

And here's sunset over the BOS:

Mike B, me, and Jeff W.  Photos courtesy of the best race photographer I know, Jana W :)

Work and life shot down my designs on getting in some miles today, no problem. It happens.

Tomorrow:  surf...but if no surf, then the first half of the Nipmuck...we'll see what the day brings!  Life is good.