Running of the Green 7k 2009 (or: Best. Birthday. Ever.)

For our training race this session, Runner's Edge of the Rockies ran the Running of the Green Lucky 7k in downtown Denver. This is a fun and surprisingly challenging race that winds its way through the streets of LoDo and then climbs over I-25 to the Highlands neighborhood, before returning to LoDo. Each year the race seems to get bigger, and I'm not sure it isn't the second-largest road race in the state--or at least in the top 5.

Two days before the race, Coach emailed a great article from "Running Times" entitled "Go Zone Racing." The thesis of the article was (stated very plainly at the top) personal records and breakthrough performances...come only by getting out of your comfort zone and into your "Go Zone." After reading the article (several times), I was determined to do that at today's race.

I knew it would hurt. Obviously: I was going to be out of my comfort zone (get it?). But that's part of the reason I've been running so many smaller races this year. I want to get faster, and the only way that's going to happen is by pushing myself. I've had some solid 5k races, but no breakthrough times. This one, could be one. I just had to will it.

Before the race, we all congregated at the Runner's Edge tent (or, to start, a few yards away in the sunlight. MAN Wazee is cold in the shade). Coach led us on an easy warmup jog, combined with some plyometric moves and a half dozen pickups in (I think) Commons Park on the other side. To tell you the truth, I a little was worried after those pickups: I wasn't feeling especially strong during them, and feared I might have done too many. But I tried to banish that negative thinking on the easy jog back to the starting line. After a quick stretch, I inserted myself in the crowd about 15 feet back from the start line, ignoring the voice in my head that said "You're too close to the start." I focused all my energy on a strong race. I told myself I'd try to cover the first mile in 8:15, and pick it up from there. I figured if I thought of it as a mile-long warmup followed by a 5k, that would give me the right mind-set through the race. That, and my rock music. I had my iPod loaded up with Nickelback, Rage, Theory of a Deadman, BB King, "Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm, and some White Zombie (I know, it's all over the place, but it all rocks pretty hard, and that's what works for me).

At 10:15 the race started (it just occurred to me, I don't remember hearing the National Anthem. It's possible I was just that focused). I settled into a quick pace just on the outer edge of my comfort zone, a pace I knew I could maintain for the whole race but easily pour more into if I wanted. As we turned onto 18th, the close call I'd been hoping to avoid finally came: a runner, making his way through the throng, cut right in front of me, missing me by inches and forcing me to lightly steady myself using the closest runner. Last year, when I ran this race, the exact same thing happened at the 1 mile mark, except that time, the runner cutting across me stepped on my foot and twisted my ankle. It is still the last time I had to drop out of a race (knock wood), and had been my biggest fear for today. Fortunately, this year he missed me, and I was able to keep running.

As the course turned onto 20th I faced the first climb, after easing into a nice downhill. I turned it up a little for the uphill. I don't know why, but I really seem to enjoy powering through hills (I blame RER speedwork and The Parker Run). I passed a number of runners, including some friends, as we climbed out and over the bridge over the highway. Shortly after that (at about 2.4), as I came into the Highlands area, was the water stop. I slowed to a walk as I got some water, and then picked up the pace again. Highlands is very hilly, by the way. I have a friend who lives in that area, so I've walked those streets a number of times. I pushed my pace along the uphill, wanting to make up a little time from my walk break, and looking forward to the downhill that Newton dictates must exist.

After that downhill and one last walk through the water station, it was back over the bridge and into LoDo. Thanks to my walk breaks, I leapfrogged with some friends during those mid-miles, but on the bridge crossing I was able to pass them once again. Then I had the two climbs along 20th, after which I knew it was smooth sailing and time to pick up my pace a little. I was feeling strong, and although I hadn't looked at my watch since turning over my first mile, I felt like I'd been staying on track. I'd run a good-but-still-comfortable pace for the first mile, and tried to pick it up a little until the halfway mark, at which point I pushed myself even more. I was now just outside of my comfort zone, running what felt like a pace I could force myself to maintain for the last 2 miles. Sure, it would hurt by then, but that was the point.

At this point I need to apologize to any friends who I may have passed during that return mile along Central and Blake. I dimly recall hearing people calling my name or saying "Go, Superman!" But I was so focused on pushing myself, I may not have acknowledged you. If that's the case, I am sorry.

I visualized the course in my head as we turned onto Wazee and then 19th: "Seven blocks to go...now six..." I was running out of steam, but knew I could have a strong finish. However, I had forgotten in my excitement that the course doesn't turn on 16th; it turns on 15th! Aargh! But when I passed the 4 mile mark and I hadn't thrown up yet, I knew I could pick up my pace even more. And then, turning back onto Wazee and seeing the finish banner, I dialed it up again for those last two blocks. I was so focused on pushing myself as hard as I could, I only remembered to throw my arms up in my finishing pose with about a half-stride to go!

My official time was 33:49, which is a 7:47 pace. That makes this the fastest race I have ever run (to date). Coach Dave called it a "huge breakthrough race." I tell you what, it was exactly the shot in the arm I needed. I've run some good races this year, but I've always thought I could do more. Now I know.

Official time: 33:49
Total races: 6
YTD race miles: 49.9
YTD total miles: 251.3
Prediction for my next 5k: 24:17

That Dam Run 5k 2009

My March 5k came a day after a challenging long training run with my group Runner's Edge of the Rockies that featured a climb of over 800 vertical feet over the course of 7 miles and a grueling 9-minute pace for most of the back half. Even after a four-hour long nap that afternoon, I wasn't convinced I'd have my fastest race today. But I was sure it would be a fun one.

It was also a pretty chilly one. Temperatures were somewhere in the 40s, with cloud cover and a decent breeze (or is it just "wind" in colder weather? Most times you hear people refer to "a slight breeze" as a good thing, cooling off a too-warm day. If it's already cold, I think people just call it "wind"). I spent some time chatting with some friends before the race, counting on the race itself (not to mention my 2-mile warmup jog) to elevate my temperature as usual.

Unlike my other two 5k races this year, this one was not held at Washington Park; instead this was on the Cherry Creek Dam Road--hence the name (actual conversation: "Hey Keri, why is this race here instead of at Washington Park?" "Well, because it's the Dam Road run."). Thus, the race is an out-and-back. For the first half mile (or just short of), runners are allowed to cover the entire two-lane road, but at that point (after the crowd has thinned somewhat) are moved over to the right side. This has the added bonus of seeing the first-place finishers come streaking past as you're still on your way out (at once very inspiring and somewhat demoralizing: "Wait, they're back here ALREADY!?"). In fact the first finisher came racing past me soon after I hit the one-mile mark (I think I was at about 1.3. That's right, class. This kid had gone almost 2 miles in the time it had taken me to cover just over one). I also had the chance to wave at a couple of my friends who are faster than me as they came back.

I hit the turnaround at the halfway point feeling pretty strong for the ordeal I'd gone through the day before. Since the road was mostly flat with only a slight decline ahead of me in the final mile, I was able to maintain a strong pace of just about 8 minutes per mile. I picked it up only a little and managed to pick off some slower runners as I went--although a handful weren't going to go down without a fight. As I hit the slight decline in that last mile, I opened it up a little more. Although I'd been able to see the finish line ever since turning around, I hadn't tried to look at it too hard. Now I wanted to focus my attention on my goal, and on something between it and me.

When I ran the Valentine's 5k two weeks ago, a runner blazed by me in the final quarter mile much as I like to do myself. Today, that same runner (I recognized the back of his shaved head) had pulled ahead of me towards the very start. I'd thought he'd built up much more of a lead, but here he was, less than a quarter mile away from me as I approached the last half mile! I picked up my speed a little, wondering if I'd be able to pick him off or if he'd put on a burst at the end (or, worse, if he'd fight me fore it like Mark G did at the Super Bowl run!). As he drew closer to the finish line, I drew closer to him. As I crossed the 3 mile mark, he was less than 50 feet in front of me. With a final burst of speed, I pushed past him, crossing the finish only moments before he did. I also scored my fastest 5k time this year.

As I wound my way through the finish chute, a young child handed me a medal! I was impressed by that. I've gotten medals for finishing marathons and half marathons, and even one 10-mile race, but I never thought I'd get a medal for a small-distance race like this (okay, I did get one after a 10k, but that was in England)! This is a nice job, too: sturdy, on a thick band, and it spins in the middle! Keri told me later that it was only handed out to the first 140 or so runners.

Special shout-outs go to RER members Keri, Jen, and Bret (working) and Ted and Tinka (running). It's always great to see friends at events.

Official time: 25:25
Total races: 5
YTD race miles: 45.6
YTD total miles: 196.5
Days until my next race: 14