Result HERE

While warming up for the Gobble Wobble 5k, I thought I might have a chance to take home the W. I saw a few runners who looked about my speed, but no one that I was certain would defeat me. A minute before the start I saw Russel Slade and Jay Luna run over and I knew that I would be fighting for third place. Awards were also given to the top three overall, so I had some extra motivation.

The course was run around the Green Valley Ranch Golf Course on a sidewalk that was the width of a pedestrian sidewalk. Thus, it was really hard to pass people and the course never went in a straight line for more than 100 meters, it felt like you were running an S the entire time. I knew this going into the race and figured that a fast time would not be possible today. Thus my goal was to run a good race and battle for third.

Garmin had the course at 3.15 miles, thus my splits are a bit faster than what they really were. The course was USATF certified, so I trust that it was accurate.

Mile 1 – I normally don’t sprint off at the start but I did this time, as I didn’t want to get behind too many runners on the narrow path. The first mile even featured a bit of a dirt trail that we had to cross to reach another another sidewalk. I came through with a 5:45 split and was in fifth place, having just passed the fifth place runner about 100 meters from the mile marker.

Mile 2 – The guys in third and fourth were about ten seconds in front of me. Russel was way out in front, as well as Jay. I concentrated on bridging the gap between these two runners. The two runners were running side by side, thus getting around them was difficult. I made the pass around 1.5 miles and one of the other runners tried to come with me. I picked up the pace a bit, hoping to get him off my shoulder and the tactic worked. Mile 2 was run in 5:38.

Mile 3 – At this point I was running alone and feeling great. I made sure that I was still distancing myself from the two runners behind me but Jay and Russel were so far in front of me that I didn’t have anyone to zero in on. Mile 3 was run in 5:48.

Finish – As I rounded the corner I saw the clock in the 17:50’s. I tried to throw in a kick at the end but the course featured another turn right before the finish, thus making it hard to sprint. I crossed the line for an 18:00 flat and took third place.

I was happy with the race, especially after the disappointing race that I had last weekend. I didn’t have any issues with my back tightening up or side aches, thus still baffled as to what happened last weekend. I’ve run two 5ks this year in under 18 minutes, but I am pretty sure that my 18 flat was my best effort on the season with the numerous turns on the course. I think had I been running on a normal course that I could have run a 17:40 today.

For my third place finish I took home a $20 gift card to Albertsons! Cha-Ching!