Bastille Day 8K Race Report
Running in this heat makes us strong for the fall, you say? Good, because three, hot weather, 5-ish mile races in 2 1/2 weeks has been challenging, to say the least. But it didn't stop me from
silver medalling!
34:49
7:02/mile
179 avg HR
2/19 - 55-59 AG, 58/1298 overall
A rare evening race. Big crowds along Chicago's lakefront for a 5K and 8K. I picked the 8K because last year's 5K dumped us into the slower 8K runners halfway through, which was a pain. They wisely changed the courses so that did not occur, but I was already planning on the longer distance. Splits:
Mile 1 - 6:35/mi ..HR 166
Mile 2 - 6:57/mi ..HR 177
Mile 3 - 7:05/mi ..HR 182
Mile 4 - 7:16/mi ..HR 182
Mile 5 - 7:14/mi ..HR 184
It became a struggle rather quickly, and I didn't have any sort of kick at the end. I felt like I just couldn't stride over the second half. Gotta get stronger. I didn't bother with either water stop. My mind was willing to push, but I had nuttin.
Three good takeaways:
(1) Running a non-CARA race, it felt good to win some hardware again. First place was a few minutes in front of me, and third was a couple minutes behind.
(2) I found a new level of pain. I've averaged over 180 HR for the last mile of most of my races, but never for three miles! I didn't even look at it, knowing it would be depressingly high and encourage me to slow down. I hit 189 in the last mile, which is around my max. A 179 avg HR is also a new high since I started tracking it.
(3) I witnessed a new level of race stalking. During warm-ups, a young gal ran by me (she ended up being top female). Tight black shorts; bright pink half-top; petite.
Nice. Right after she passes me, an older, gray haired guy

on a bike rides by. I look, and realize his arm is bent up and he's holding up his i-phone and videotaping her while he follows behind. Brilliant!! I thought of mentioning it to her, but the creepiness > flattery of it.