Tomorrow is my first cross country race of 2008 – the aptly named Mud In Your Eye 5k, held at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach, VA.
KaleRunning.com are the Race Management company responsible for the popular three race series which is now in it’s fourth year!
Tonight I’m enjoying a rest night after a fairly busy and productive week of training. I seem to be making progress with regard to general fitness and endurance, but the speed is naturally still a long way off.
Looking at the event web site, I’m thinking about my chances tomorrow and reflecting on finish times from the last three years:
2007 - 18:37 [6:00/mile] 2006 - 20:06 [6:29/mile] 2005 - 19:39 [6:20/mile]
Last year was my fastest time of the three, and I remember feeling very pleased with myself for being able to finish at 6:00 per mile pace. In 2006 I ran from my house to the race as an extended warm up (about 6 miles) and predictably felt quite tired during the race. 2005 was a solid effort although I faded quite badly in the last mile.
Looking back to the Hair of the Dog 5k just over two weeks ago where I finished in 18 minutes 40 seconds, I can safely add about a minute on to my time to allow for the cross country conditions – a mainly grass course with several short but steep hills and one long steady slope to climb.
Therefore my prediction for tomorrow’s race is 19 minutes 40 seconds [6:20/mile] – an almost identical time to the race in 2005.
I notice fellow blogger Charlie who authors the great Running Nowhere Fast blog is also signed up, and I’m sure he’ll be hot on my heels for much of the race again. He seems to get faster with every race and is making a habit of setting new PR’s.
The weather forecast isn’t great – 41°F with showers and a 6mph NE wind – but I can’t think of better conditions for a 5k cross country race. Here’s to Mud In Your Eye!