Race Recap Recovery: 2013 Athletic Trainer River Run 1 mile and 5k 3/10/13

My favorite race of the year, hands down. A super fast flat course with an auction for sports memorabilia afterwards. What’s not to love? Unfortunately I had a pretty depressing weekend and usually when that happens I feel like….

But it’s the will power and the belief in ones self that keeps me going. That Sunday morning started off pretty good as it was actually above freezing and there was no traffic on the way to the race. A beautiful sunrise broke off of River Road.

I got there really early to scope out all the cool auction items and hang out in the Steelers indoor training facility.

I tried to prep my mind for the best before the 1 mile run. Last year I ran it in six minutes and four seconds, while training for a full marathon. I did strain my hamstrings last year and was forced to ease up on my runs the next week or so. All that being said I wanted to break six minutes. I knew that I am currently not in top shape and 15 pounds heavier than I was at this point last year. But I still wanted to break six. I started out with a flat start but was really feeling it. Sprinting is not really my race, but I enjoy a challenge. I glanced down at my garmin for my pace and I was on a 5:31 pace! I kept that up for about a half a mile until I knew the inevitable slow down would happen. At the half way point I could feel the extra weight. I slowed down a tad because I didn’t want to hurt myself and finished with a chip time of 6:13. 9 seconds slower than last year. Good enough for 8th overall.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/282821016

Once I caught my breath for the 5k thirty minutes later, I knew I was going to have an average day. At that point I just decided to just run my race and try to have some fun to push the bad stuff out of my head.

I started out with just a safe 7 minute or so pace and kept that throughout. Nothing major,not my worst run, but definitely not my best.

My finishing chip time was 21:50, and I finished 49th overall and 5th in my age group of 30-34.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/282821034

Before meeting up with Jon and Bethany (who were dead tired after their GoRuck on Saturday), and John and Kaitlyn w/Teagan  at Fatheads, I had to attend the sports auction inside the indoor football field. It was pretty awesome. I won a bid of $30 on a Cameron Wake signed football. My luckbox parents won the booze basket in a raffle and a bid of $50 on a basketball signed by the entire 2012-2013 University of Pittsburgh Men’s Basketball Team.  I really like that all of the money from the auction goes to a scholarship to a deserving trainer. Pretty awesome.