"Sonny" neon green race shirt and number The Beaufort Road Race in my hometown was the first road race I ever did. This year marked my 22nd consecutive year running it. I ran the 5k ten times from 1997-2006, the 10K eight times from 2007-2010 and 2013-2016, and the mile three times in 2011, 2012, and last year 2017. I won the 10K in 2014 and won the mile last year so it made sense to go back to the 5K and attempt to win it which would give me overall wins in all three events; something I'm pretty sure no one has done there. I knew winning the 5K would be the toughest of the three to win because it usually has the fastest fields and the winning times can be a minute or more faster than my PR at the distance.
The Beaufort Road Race is known for being hot, humid, and flat. It's pretty common for the temperature to be 80 degrees at 8am with a heat index of 90. This year was the exception to the usual weather. It was 75 degrees, overcast, and raining. It's rained before and after but not during the race that I recall. I had a couple good luck signs working in my favor to get the win this year. The race shirt was "Sonny" neon green and my bib number had a 3 in it.
I did an easy 3 miles warm-up before lining up at the race start. The rain was lighter when the race started. I went out fast with my friend Katherine Price. The rain got heavier at about the one mile mark which I hit in 5:47 on the out and back course on Front Street. I was in second place at the turn around with the leader within striking distance. Third place was right behind me and he passed me before the two mile mark. I ran mile two in 5:52. I knew I had to make a charge to win so I picked it up and moved back into second place. I focused on the leader but I wasn't gaining any on him. I ran mile three in 5:56 and the last tenth at 5:34 mile pace to finish second overall in 18:19, 14 seconds behind the winner and 6 seconds ahead of third.
The Beaufort Road Race is known for being hot, humid, and flat. It's pretty common for the temperature to be 80 degrees at 8am with a heat index of 90. This year was the exception to the usual weather. It was 75 degrees, overcast, and raining. It's rained before and after but not during the race that I recall. I had a couple good luck signs working in my favor to get the win this year. The race shirt was "Sonny" neon green and my bib number had a 3 in it.
I did an easy 3 miles warm-up before lining up at the race start. The rain was lighter when the race started. I went out fast with my friend Katherine Price. The rain got heavier at about the one mile mark which I hit in 5:47 on the out and back course on Front Street. I was in second place at the turn around with the leader within striking distance. Third place was right behind me and he passed me before the two mile mark. I ran mile two in 5:52. I knew I had to make a charge to win so I picked it up and moved back into second place. I focused on the leader but I wasn't gaining any on him. I ran mile three in 5:56 and the last tenth at 5:34 mile pace to finish second overall in 18:19, 14 seconds behind the winner and 6 seconds ahead of third.
First, 2nd, Me in 5K. Photo by Melanie Ng This was the year to win the Beaufort 5K as the weather conditions were about as good as you can get for July in Beaufort and the winning time was much slower than it usually is. I'll take heavy rain over hot and humid conditions anytime at Beaufort. I just didn't have 5K speed. I was coming off my second The Bear race the week before and I think that took some speed from me like it did last year when I did the two races a week apart. I so wanted the win this year but I'll train more for a 5K next summer in order to go after the win again.
Race Gear
Socks: Smartwool Men's PhD Ultra Light Low Cut Socks
Shoes: New Balance 1400v4
Shorts: Adidas 3" split shorts
Road ID Wrist ID Slim
Watch: Garmin 920XT
Hat: Zap Fitness Reebok tech hat
Race Gear
Socks: Smartwool Men's PhD Ultra Light Low Cut Socks
Shoes: New Balance 1400v4
Shorts: Adidas 3" split shorts
Road ID Wrist ID Slim
Watch: Garmin 920XT
Hat: Zap Fitness Reebok tech hat
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