The Resolution Run is part of the Crystal Coast Countdown; which is a weekend full of a variety of events to celebrate the end of one year and the start of a new year. It culminates in the dropping of the crab pot at midnight on December 31st.
I had not done any speed intervals or tempo training since before the Marshall University Marathon on November 11th. After taking a week off following the marathon I gradually starting building my weekly mileage back up to over 40 miles per week. I did not run the Resolution Run last year when the weather was perfect and the race had 176 participants.
The weather forecast for this years race looked bad all week so I waited until Friday night to decide if I would do it. I awoke Saturday morning to steady rain. I looked at the radar and knew it wasn't going to let up until around noon and it would actually get heavier during the race. I decided to go ahead and head to Front Street in Beaufort for the race to see if they were even still going to have the race. Since I was up and already there I went ahead and registered. The rain was still coming down steadily and water was starting to stand on the race course. I was hoping Anne would do the race with me but she overslept and I was thinking how nice it would be to be back in bed on this rainy and cold morning.
I met Melanie Ng under the awning across the street from the start and talked to her as we did some dynamic stretching to warm-up. Her goal was to break 19:00. I started coaching and training her in the spring of this year and she went from a 23:28 5K to low 19s and even ran PRs in the half marathon and 10 miler. I didn't think this was going to be the day to break 19 but at least she still came out and ran when many people did not. After jogging an easy mile I made my way over to the start line. The Resolution Run 5K course is the same as the Historic Beaufort Road Race course.
I had not done any speed intervals or tempo training since before the Marshall University Marathon on November 11th. After taking a week off following the marathon I gradually starting building my weekly mileage back up to over 40 miles per week. I did not run the Resolution Run last year when the weather was perfect and the race had 176 participants.
The weather forecast for this years race looked bad all week so I waited until Friday night to decide if I would do it. I awoke Saturday morning to steady rain. I looked at the radar and knew it wasn't going to let up until around noon and it would actually get heavier during the race. I decided to go ahead and head to Front Street in Beaufort for the race to see if they were even still going to have the race. Since I was up and already there I went ahead and registered. The rain was still coming down steadily and water was starting to stand on the race course. I was hoping Anne would do the race with me but she overslept and I was thinking how nice it would be to be back in bed on this rainy and cold morning.
I met Melanie Ng under the awning across the street from the start and talked to her as we did some dynamic stretching to warm-up. Her goal was to break 19:00. I started coaching and training her in the spring of this year and she went from a 23:28 5K to low 19s and even ran PRs in the half marathon and 10 miler. I didn't think this was going to be the day to break 19 but at least she still came out and ran when many people did not. After jogging an easy mile I made my way over to the start line. The Resolution Run 5K course is the same as the Historic Beaufort Road Race course.
Finishing About 30 runners lined up for the start in the steady rain and 50 degrees weather. It was a very small race and the officials were fast to start the race. I wasn't ready for the start but the officials said "Runners set, Go!" The police car that was leading us on the course wasn't even ready for the start. He was still driving to us on the staring line when we had started and almost ran into his car. He did a fast 180 and pulled ahead of us.
I went out fast with three other runners with me. I wore an old, worn out pair of road flats because of the nasty weather. Just before half a mile, two runners that I did not know blew by me and started pulling away. I stayed in fourth place and kept running down Front Street. I ran the first mile in 5:49. I felt good but I knew I wasn't going to win unless the two guys slowed down a lot. They were still pulling away from me as we hit the 180 degree turnaround. Melanie wasn't too far behind me, maybe 15 seconds or so. I knew then she was going to run sub 19 unless she blew up.
I was trying to run the tangents on the gentle curves but there was over ankle deep water and I was trying to keep my feet dry. The leaders were running in the middle of the road or wherever the water wasn't as deep. After running trough a deep puddle and getting my shoes and socks soaked I didn't care anymore about trying to avoid the standing water. I caught third place shortly after the turnaround and stayed with him until the 2 mile mark. I ran mile 2 in 5:54. After 2 miles I started to pull away from him. I wasn't going to catch the leaders so I had to hold onto third place.
I went out fast with three other runners with me. I wore an old, worn out pair of road flats because of the nasty weather. Just before half a mile, two runners that I did not know blew by me and started pulling away. I stayed in fourth place and kept running down Front Street. I ran the first mile in 5:49. I felt good but I knew I wasn't going to win unless the two guys slowed down a lot. They were still pulling away from me as we hit the 180 degree turnaround. Melanie wasn't too far behind me, maybe 15 seconds or so. I knew then she was going to run sub 19 unless she blew up.
I was trying to run the tangents on the gentle curves but there was over ankle deep water and I was trying to keep my feet dry. The leaders were running in the middle of the road or wherever the water wasn't as deep. After running trough a deep puddle and getting my shoes and socks soaked I didn't care anymore about trying to avoid the standing water. I caught third place shortly after the turnaround and stayed with him until the 2 mile mark. I ran mile 2 in 5:54. After 2 miles I started to pull away from him. I wasn't going to catch the leaders so I had to hold onto third place.
Melanie and Me post race I tried to stay consistent and keep the pace I ran the first 2 miles in. Considering I was not in race shape the pace didn't feel bad even in the bad weather conditions. I thought I even had a shot at a sub 18 until the last half mile. I ran mile 3 in 5:51 and the final 0.10 miles in 44 seconds. I finished 3rd Overall in 18:16. Melanie wasn't far behind me. She finished first for the women and 5th Overall in a new personal record of 18:32! She shattered sub 19 on a day where she thought she would just break 20. I was very proud of her.
Overall it was a good race and I had fun even though I was shivering until I got home and had a hot shower. I did find out that my North Face Running Hat is 100% waterproof and great for runs in the rain. The Brooks Nightlife jacket that I had on before and after the race was also waterproof and it kept me warm and helped me warm back up. The awards were nice. The prize pack was a Columbia gift bag with gloves, rain hat, and neck warmer. Each participate also got a Resolution Run water-bottle. The entry fee was only $15; even day of the race. It was my final race of 2012 and my first since turning 30 years old.
Overall it was a good race and I had fun even though I was shivering until I got home and had a hot shower. I did find out that my North Face Running Hat is 100% waterproof and great for runs in the rain. The Brooks Nightlife jacket that I had on before and after the race was also waterproof and it kept me warm and helped me warm back up. The awards were nice. The prize pack was a Columbia gift bag with gloves, rain hat, and neck warmer. Each participate also got a Resolution Run water-bottle. The entry fee was only $15; even day of the race. It was my final race of 2012 and my first since turning 30 years old.
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