2019 Resolution Run 5k Race Report

It's been quite some time since I've reported on the races I've run on a regular basis. Hell, it's been quite some time since I've run races on a regular basis. I won't bore you with my theory on resolutions for the new year and will instead get straight to the meat of this post: my race report from yesterday.

New Year's Day 2019 started very early in the morning as we wrapped up the party our neighbor's hosted. Thankfully I didn't have too much to drink and William didn't puke like we did last year. Instead, we trooped home, took showers, and went to bed.

A few hours later, I was back up, slowly mind you, and after looking outside, decided it was nice enough to go run a race. When I got the paper in the morning, it was maybe 50F. By the time I left an hour later, it was about 60F. By the time I got to the race, it was pushing 65F.

I had just enough cash to register and had the pleasure of knowing many of the people working and volunteering at the race. As I turned my registration page in, one asked what year I was born in, to which I said "1976." So she gave me bib number 1976. Pretty cool!

Ditching my pants, shirt, winter hat, and gloves in the car, I opted to keep my long sleeve on under my KREndurance t-shirt. Later in the race I regretted it but I managed to make due with the extra layer.

The race itself is a bit of a double loop course that begins and ends at a local YMCA. The route is mostly paved roads and pathways but there are a few dirt and gravel sections. Which meant that with all the rain, there were puddles and mud. As we approached one largish puddle early on, I saw several people making detours around it. Nothing major, but it was clear they didn't want wet feet. Me being the nut that I am, ran through the puddle because I was more focused on running the tangents than having wet feet.

Running through puddles, and mud, would be a bit of a theme through the race. Some sections were, well, not bad but bad enough to not be avoidable. Again, I plowed through splashing water and mud on those around me. Pretty sure a few of the ladies shot me dirty looks at my back.

I felt great through the first mile. I knew I was clicking along way too fast but decided to hang on for the ride while I could. I walked most of the hills but they certainly weren't large. Only one or two were big enough to slow down most runners. As I came to the second mile, I knew I was fading and tried to just latch on to people in front of me and draft behind them. Again, I'm sure I got the stink eye when I eventually passed these people but I didn't care. I was running my own race, not theirs.

By the last mile, I knew I was fried and knew I wasn't going to get a PR. Never expected one but it's always something that floats around in the back of my head anyway. Coming through the finish I sprinted and nearly caught the woman in front of me. I think she got me by about six inches. It was close. I knew I wasn't in the running for any awards and knew passing her wouldn't do anything special for me, it's just how I like to finish a race. It doesn't matter if it's 3 miles or 60 miles, I still try to finish as strong as I can.

Photos:

Weather:
As I said, temps were warmer than expected. Wind was light. Humidity was noticeable but not bad. Sky was mostly overcast but the sun did come out several times.

Fluids and Fuel:
Nothing before the run except coffee and water and some Nuun mixed with Kool-Aid. Plain water during the run. Recovery was more Nuun/Kool-Aid, more coffee, and a Bacon Gouda sandwich from Starbucks.

Aches and Pains:
None really. Everything felt fine.

Gear:
Wore shorts, thermal top, t-shirt, and hat. Also wore a new pair of shoes, Altra Escalantes, that I've dubbed "JAFFA."

Naughty Neil:
I ate way too much shrimp at the party. But it was so damn tasty.

Today's Motivation:
Mostly the weather. And the hope that running a race right off the bat would get me in the right mindset for the whole year.

Splits:
Mile 1 - 10:56
Mile 2 - 11:02
Mile 3 - 11:31
Finish - 34:14
(Mile splits are from my Garmin Forerunner 35.)

Data:
AVG Pace - 11:00 per mile
Best Pace -  4:59 per mile
AVG Heart Rate - 167 bpm
Max Heart Rate - 199 bpm
Elevation Gain - 140.2 feet

40 Years Ago Today - January 1, 1979

We now enter the most emotional part of my life, my parent's divorce. This will also be the most heavily redacted part of the #40YearsAgoToday Project. With both of my parents alive and still friends, I don't want to jeopardize their willingness to still do what is best for me. I love them both and don't want to bring them any pain by re-opening wounds that have healed fairly well over the last four decades. With that said, let's move on.

According to records, I went with my mother to visit family in Chicago. My father took us to BWI Airport. After arriving in Chicago via TWA, we took the bus to Aunt Diana's house. There was heavy snow. Thanks to my cousin, there are a few photos of me from that trip.

We wouldn't return until January 17, 1979.

40 Years Ago Today - December 26 and 27, 1978

On two consecutive days, December 26th and December 27th of 1978, my father went on an airplane flight. As the pilot. I don't exactly follow all of the terminology but it looks like he flew a Cessna C-152, tail number N159BC, and did some basic maneuvers. While none of these flights included me, it sets the stage for later aspects of my childhood, including my first airplane ride.

40 Years Ago Today - Assorted 1978 Photos

Without any firm dates on these photos, it's hard to determine exactly when they were taken. But I'll do my best based on what details I do know.

The first set would appear to be mid or late 1978. The backs of the photos say "summer" or "fall" and based on the location, clothing, and who is in them, I'd have to agree. They all look like they were taken at the house in Maryland and since we didn't move there until March of 1978, that would line up with the labels on the photos. Additionally, one of the photos is labeled "Hollywood, Maryland" and appears to be from the same roll.

First, we have two photos of me inside. In one, I'm on the phone. In the second, I'm in the nude holding a toothbrush.

Then we have an outside shot of me standing in front of my Uncle Harold and my dad. The booklet is titled "Canon Lenses In A Nutshell." Based on the short sleeves, I would guess this is during the summer.

The next two photos appear to be in the fall as I'm wearing a winter hat and long sleeves. You can see the green van in the background as well as the rear of the house in Maryland.

The final photo is me helping my mom with the dishes in the kitchen.

We also have a scan of the floor plan design, "The Siddell," of the house on Flintlock Court in Maryland.

40 Years Ago Today - December 3, 1978

Once again, I get measured! This time, I've grown to a whopping 33 and a half inches. That's two inches taller than the last time I was measured.