Race goal was a [rather ambitious] sub-5:00 mile. I missed it by less than a second, but still managed to score a new PR. I’m not the most gifted miler on the track, took off way too fast in the first lap and paid the price in the middle stages of the race. Rallied in the final 400m, but it was too little, too late.

Official time was a pleasing 5:00.88 – 5th overall and 1st old guy to cross the line.

3 lifetime PR’s in 4 weeks can’t be bad, eh?

Official time — 16:50
Official place — 3rd overall

Can’t believe I slashed 19 seconds from my previous best time set at the end of 2008. Life is good!

Good times!

Donations can be made online at the official fundraiser web page, or you can make an “on site” donation whilst the event is taking place. Again, the fundraiser starts on July 14th at 7am and finishes 24 hours later at 7am on July 15th.

Just like last year, there is a raffle featuring many great prizes. Tickets may be purchased for $2, 3 for $5, or 8 for $10 with the last raffle being a 50/50 raffle. Last years winner took home nearly $600 in cash!! Checks can be made out to Western Branch Track Club; and if you’re looking to get in your run for the day, Ryan has suggested you come out to join him and the team for a few miles.

If you have any questions about the fundraiser, feel free to contact Ryan via phone at 757-282-1440 or either of the following email addresses: WB24HRRUN@gmail.com or rcarroll82@gmail.com. Also, a big “Thank You” goes out to WBHS for allowing the use of their facilities and KaleRunning for providing event oversight and timing.

Just like I said last year, Ryan is probably the top area runner and regularly wins all the local races he shows up at. Somehow he juggles an impossible schedule yet remains one of the nicest, most genuine guys you could meet. Nothing appears to be too much trouble, and he’s always handing out great advice and cheering folks on at the races. Furthermore, his athletes are a total credit to the local running community and regularly show up bright and early to volunteer at many of the local races. Not only are they good kids, but they’re talented athletes too – you should see what they’ve achieved in recent years!

I’ll soon be heading over to ActiveGiving.com to make my donation. It’s definitely a worthy cause and I’ll be more than happy to support Ryan and his great bunch of kids. Good luck to you all!

From the Running Etc. newsletter:

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned runner, we look forward to helping you meet your goals!

Training Program Includes:
~ Personalized 8 week training program developed by certified RRCA running coaches
~ Opportunity to train with like-minded individuals who will motivate & inspire
~ Organized weekday and weekend group runs
~ 15% discount at Running Etc. on non-sale items during training period
~ Brooks technical t-shirt

Cost: $75

If interested contact: Jonathan Harris or John Lomogda at (757) 627-1500

Training programs begin Sunday July 11, 2010

Click on the banner below and off you go. Happy shopping!

Anyway, on to the race recap. I decided to just jog an easy mile as a warm up today. Last week at the LEE’S Friends Run on the Wild Side 5k I ran a two mile hot and humid warm up which probably did more harm than good. Lining up at the start today, I felt much more refreshed and ready to race.

The race started promptly at 8:30am and I soon settled into a good rhythm just behind the lead pack. The trickiest part of the first quarter mile turned out to be avoiding the race cameraman who somehow managed to fall off the back of the pick-up truck he was riding in. Oops. Luckily he was okay.

I took the lead just after the first right turn, but wasn’t able to shake off eventual female winner Octavia Rinehardt and good friend Jon Leiding until we’d passed the one mile mark. I glanced at my Garmin and was pleased how comfortable the 5:42 felt.

Mile two was all about maintaining focus and keeping the stride ticking over. Thankfully I was able to follow the excellent bike lead (Michael Kottmer) through the many folks out exercising on the paved trail around the Mount Trashmore lake. Thanks Mike for clearing the way.

The first loop was soon over and it was nice to receive some encouragement from the finish line folks and numerous spectators/volunteers. I pressed on and reminded myself I was half way done. Mile two was a big surprise in that it was quicker than the first mile — 5:38 to be precise. I still felt fairly strong but was concerned Jon or Octavia could still come from behind and steal the win.

Thankfully I was able to maintain a good cadence and rounded the final bend far enough in front to hold on for the win. My finish time was a big surprise. After last week’s 18:12, my main goal was to break 18 minutes today. Imagine my surprise as the clock still displayed 17:20-something as I crossed the line!

The race win was definitely nice, but the official time of 17:21 very encouraging — just 12 seconds off my lifetime PR and my third fastest 5k time ever. Good times!

Thanks to everyone involved for putting on a great event. Hopefully this one will be around for many years to come…

In addition, twenty second place winners will take home a pair of Vibram FiveFingers Shoes.

The deadline is next Friday, June 18th and entry is simple: just visit www.gripyourworld.com, Vibram’s new website for outdoor enthusiasts, upload a photo (and share a story if you like!) and you’re entered to win.

Vibram engineers high-performance rubber soles for the most extreme and varied terrain and conditions, and is a proud partner in The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. Time is running out to enter the competition, so head on over to www.gripyourworld.com soon. Good luck!

If you are not fortunate enough to win a pair of Vibram FiveFingers in the giveaway, most of the VFF models can be purchased from RockCreek.com, who are currently offering FREE shipping * on orders over $49. Some of the current best sellers include:

Vibram FiveFingers Moc (Men’s)
Vibram FiveFingers KSO (Men’s)
Vibram FiveFingers KSO (Women’s)
Vibram FiveFingers Bikila (Men’s)
Vibram FiveFingers Bikila (Women’s)

[* Lower 48 States; see site for exclusions.]

Looking back to the day I purchased the KSOs, it took a few attempts to find the correct size. The Men’s size 39 (10”) was too small, and the 40 (10¹⁄₄”) too big. I ended up with the slightly narrower Women’s size 41 which is bang in the middle at 10¹⁄₈”. Perfect!

To complicate matters further, however, my little toes are weird in that they curl into the 4th toe, and I vividly remember during the first few days of ownership it was a real struggle to separate the toes and actually get the KSOs on.

I’ve since found a much easier way to slip into the Vibrams which also makes for a pleasant blister-free experience too. Before wrestling with the KSOs, I simply apply a thin coating of MISSION Skincare’s Anti-Friction Cream to my feet, which helps my toes slide right into their respective pockets!

Anti-Friction Cream is also perfect to defend and relieve chafing, cracking and chapping, and is sweat resistant too. Click here to read more about the anti-friction cream and the other great products in the MISSION Skincare line-up.

Here’s the video of me finishing last Saturday’s LEE’S Friends Run on the Wild Side 5K. Pretty cool, huh?

LEE’S Friends Run on the Wild Side 5K from steve speirs on Vimeo.