Post Run Update: We ran the Sombrero 5k at Fischer park in New Braunfels. Fischer is the city's newest park and it sits on a hillside. I knew going in that the route would be hilly. Oh My Goodness was it hilly! The course was 1.6 miles around and we did two laps, total of 3.30 miles (just more than a 5k, according to our GPS'. Started out on a nice easy downhill slope - take advantage and run! CpnRusty took off ahead as it looked like there might not be many in his age group and he's really been doing well on his training. So it was up to me to keep going. At the bottom of the downhill slope was a big sweeping curve and a long uphill grade - just steep enough (and plenty humid enough) to keep me from running, but I marched up that suc... (er, hill) and kept up my pace. Another nice easy sloping, curving downhill and then levelled out and went around a pretty little pond and the final turn into another gentle downhill. And then... (insert record scratching sound) ...the final uphill. A VERY steep uphill grade - I'm gonna venture to say even steeper than the one I've been training on - for the last 'kick' to the finish line. But No! Wait! we have to go around again!!!
As I huffed and puffed back down the first slope, I could see CpnRusty about 1/2 mile ahead of me at the top of the first hill. I had passed a few walkers, but for the most part, it seemed I was alone on the course. I marched on - repeating the pattern of the first lap, running as much as I could and doing a good job of maintaining my pace. Man, it was HOT and HUMID. We started at 8am, and it was mostly overcast, but it seemed the sun only came out when I was out in the open, not in any shade. I shuffled along that last straight away before "The Hill" and joked with the traffic guards that we needed a shuttle or chair lift assistance. Then I marched up to the top and was able to dig deep and find a kick for the last 100 yards or so to the finish line. As I crossed, I smiled to the lady taking my picture with a big "Holy Crap" face and then sort of fell/sat down and looked at my heart rate monitor. I was sure it said 185. Russ came over to get me up and offer me water. One shouldn't sit down when one's HR is 185ish... I was only there for a few seconds, but already felt a cramp coming on. I walked in dizzying circles for a few moments, drank some water, ate some fruit and soon my HR was into a more coherent range. Just so you know, one's "Maximum" HR is 220 minus your age, so in my case = 171bpm.
Overall, we did very well. CpnRusty finished 9th in his age group, with a time of 40:48, pace 13:08. I also finished 9th in my age group, with a time of 47:37, pace of 15:20. The last couple of events have grouped the ages together in 10 yr increments - 40-49 and 50-59. The first couple had us in 5 yr increments - 45-49, 55-59. Odds for placing are better when there are less people in your age group. The Sombrero 5k had been postponed from May, so there were only 67 runners total. I was #56 of 67 to finish. I really thought I was last, as for most of the course, I didn't see anyone in front of or behind me!
{Oh, and we continued our day with yard work and then the Folklife Festival in downtown San Antonio. I went to bed on Saturday with over 22,000 steps on my VivoFit.}
We do it again this Saturday - I'm sure it will be hot and humid and hilly. Wish us luck.....
#RunningTowardsFifty
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