The Runnin’of the Green 7k was my first road race of 2008. My first test to see where my fitness level stood. Before the race I had set a goal of running six minute miles, anything faster than six minute miles would be icing on the cake. My training the last 4-5 weeks has been solid, but I didn’t feel like I had much in terms of raw speed. Also, this week was my highest mileage week of the year with 61 (miles), so I wasn’t sure how my legs would respond.

The race started at 10:15am, which allowed plenty of time to get ready. The temperature at the start was 35 degrees, a bit cool, so I wore shorts, tech shirt, gloves and arm warmers (cycling style). I actually ran down to the start of the race from my house, which was 3.15 miles. On the warm up run I had a side stitch, so negative thoughts were already going through my head. When I got down to the race I had 20 minutes until the start of the race. I did a few striders and some light stretching and waited at the start.

The start of the race was hectic and I immediately had a lot of runners in front of me, even though I started only four people deep at the start. I almost always run conservative the first mile and try to negative split the race, but by employing this tactic it also meant that I had to deal with the hundreds of runners who run their first 1/2 mile in three minutes and their second half mile in five minutes.

The first mile marker was inaccurate, as my Garmin had 1.10 miles and surely my pace was not 6:20. The Garmin had my first mile at 5:50, which was faster then I wanted to be, but the first mile was also a bit downhill, so it was probably perfect.

Mile two was tough, as it featured a steep hill up 29th Ave. I slowed to a 6:15 pace for mile two. I generally think of myself as being weak on the hills, but I actually felt strong and continued to pass people going up the hill.

The third mile was mostly down hill and I consider myself a strong downhill runner, as I tend to have a long stride. I knocked out the third mile in 5:51 pace.

The fourth mile winded back downtown Denver (LODO) and it was mostly flat. I maintained a 5:54 pace for mile four.

The final .35 miles were on Wazee St. At the finish another runner attempted to sprint past me with about 100 meters to go, I threw in a surge and nipped him at the line! Well, I thought I beat him anyway. I checked the results and I realize that he beat me as his chip time was four seconds faster than mine! Rather funny, so well done Andrew Loizeaux and thanks for pushing me at the end of the race.

I finished the race in 25:27, which was 5:53 pace. I was pleased with my time, especially considering that it was a difficult course. I also did not get passed after the first mile and that’s always a personal goal that I have going into a race.

Runnin’ of the Green 7k Race Review