
My second race of the year was back in my home county. It was the Cocoa 5K part of the Carolina Chocolate Festival in Morehead City. This would be my third time running this race. I took the win in the inaugural running in 2013 with a 17:57 performance. I next ran it in 2014, placing 2nd in 17:44.
It's a flat, out and back course that starts at the CMAST building near Carteret County Community College. The course runs down sidewalk on Arendell St before turning right onto 34th Street and running down and back on Evans St. I sent many years running down Evans St with Sonny Hyman as he lived on that street near the Atlantic Beach Bridge so it's been great getting to race by his former house that his son and his family live in now.
I woke up race morning with chest congestion, body aches, coughing, and all over fatigue. I didn't feel like racing. My Dad and I still went to the race because I was going to give it what I had and I wanted to support the race. I hoped once I got there and went through my warmup I would start to feel better. My warmup consisted of dynamic stretching and an easy 3 miles at 8:04 min/mile pace with some strides on the clock thrown in during he last half mile. It was sunny, windy, and the temperature was in the upper 30s.
I wasn't feeling any better than when the race started at 8am. It's a smaller race but the turnout was good. I looked around and didn't expect to have any competition but you never know who will show up at a race. The race started and I went out to the lead. I tried to focus on running hard, sub 6 pace, despite how I felt. I ran the first mile in 6:01.
The first mile felt harder than it should have. I didn't hear anyone close behind me but I didn't look until the turnaround at the end of Evans St near the AB Bridge. I had a big lead but I knew I still had to keep the tempo up and not fade or I could still be caught. I ran miles two and three in 6:05 and 6:08. I finished in 18:57 and took the win for the second time at this race. Performance wise it was ugly and a struggle to run sub 19 feeling the way I did and dealing with the wind.
It's a flat, out and back course that starts at the CMAST building near Carteret County Community College. The course runs down sidewalk on Arendell St before turning right onto 34th Street and running down and back on Evans St. I sent many years running down Evans St with Sonny Hyman as he lived on that street near the Atlantic Beach Bridge so it's been great getting to race by his former house that his son and his family live in now.
I woke up race morning with chest congestion, body aches, coughing, and all over fatigue. I didn't feel like racing. My Dad and I still went to the race because I was going to give it what I had and I wanted to support the race. I hoped once I got there and went through my warmup I would start to feel better. My warmup consisted of dynamic stretching and an easy 3 miles at 8:04 min/mile pace with some strides on the clock thrown in during he last half mile. It was sunny, windy, and the temperature was in the upper 30s.
I wasn't feeling any better than when the race started at 8am. It's a smaller race but the turnout was good. I looked around and didn't expect to have any competition but you never know who will show up at a race. The race started and I went out to the lead. I tried to focus on running hard, sub 6 pace, despite how I felt. I ran the first mile in 6:01.
The first mile felt harder than it should have. I didn't hear anyone close behind me but I didn't look until the turnaround at the end of Evans St near the AB Bridge. I had a big lead but I knew I still had to keep the tempo up and not fade or I could still be caught. I ran miles two and three in 6:05 and 6:08. I finished in 18:57 and took the win for the second time at this race. Performance wise it was ugly and a struggle to run sub 19 feeling the way I did and dealing with the wind.

It's always great getting a win especially in my hometown. I enjoyed seeing some friends and supporting the race and charity. The race organizers did a good job and the timing was done by my friends Charles and Susan Teachey; who I've known since I was in high school. They coached the Swansboro High School Cross team when I ran for East Carteret. We were in the same conference so we saw each other a lot and have gotten to be great friends since then. I hope the race continues to grow.
Race Gear
Socks: Smartwool Men's PhD Ultra Light Low Cut Socks
Shoes: Reebok Floatride Run Fast
Shorts: Adidas compression shorts
Singlet: Duke Blue Devils Singlet by Adrenaline Promotions
Road ID Wrist ID Slim
Gloves: Smartwool Liner Gloves
Arm Sleeves: Royal blue Asics arm warmers
Beanie: Smartwool Merino Sport 150
Sunglasses: Rudy Project Tralyx
Race Gear
Socks: Smartwool Men's PhD Ultra Light Low Cut Socks
Shoes: Reebok Floatride Run Fast
Shorts: Adidas compression shorts
Singlet: Duke Blue Devils Singlet by Adrenaline Promotions
Road ID Wrist ID Slim
Gloves: Smartwool Liner Gloves
Arm Sleeves: Royal blue Asics arm warmers
Beanie: Smartwool Merino Sport 150
Sunglasses: Rudy Project Tralyx