Ran last race of the year, and maybe beyond that for a couple months. Even here, where there have been some races going on every week since July, local events scheduled for January are being canceled.
It was the state USATF 5K road champs (XC also scheduled for this month got canceled).
As with the other 5Ks they had wave starts of 25, going off all morning, with no more than 175 runners starting in an hour. This time they put all the USATF entered runners into single men's an women's waves of 20-25 runners.
We went first, women 2 minutes later. Most in my wave were fairly fast (some pro runners up front), so us old guys got gapped quickly, and I ran most of the way alone in no man's land. Took the first half K too fast but settled in, ran splits of 5:52, and 6:09. One young guy passed me at just before 2 miles and I couldn't match his pace.
With about a half mile to go the top woman (who was 5th at the USA Olympic trials marathon last Feb.) went flying by and I picked up my pace, while trying not to puke (a thing now). With a quarter mile remaining, 2nd woman ran by but this time I latched on a bit better for as long as I could. And one more ran past in the final sprint but was able to match the pace more or less. So finished (6:05 for mile 3, 5:45 pace on the 0.11). Finished 5K in 18:44 (course a little long because the moved the start back), 1st in age, 4th masters and new age group course record (also hold one from previous age group). Fastest 5K of the year but a ways off from recent previous years, when I was on a roll.
Going to take a few relaxed weeks before picking it up again by mid-December.
