Carlsbad5000 Recap
This year was the 13th time I’ve ran the Carlsbad5000. It was the first running race I did that kicked off what would be the jumpstart to a lifestyle and a career in endurance sports, even though I doubt I realized that at the time. Back in 2010, I think I just signed up for it just as something fun to do. I had been running a lot to lose weight – along with strength training so figured I might as well put the training to use. Like what usually happens with runners I thought, “Well, what if I did this, or tried that, what would the outcome be?” So I ran it the next year and then the next and next and now here we are!
The one that started it all!
It’s now become my runner-versary race that I use to re-commit myself to the sport.
It’s been dubbed the “World’s Fastest 5K” because of the world records that have been run on this course. It’s not the flattest course, but surprisingly, this race brings out the best in people on race day. So for me, I usually try to get the winter work in with time out on the track and the like. But like pretty much everywhere, the weather has been horrible in San Diego with tons of rain, cold & windy days that just made track work impossible and not fun. Plus with wrapping up wifey’s cancer treatments, I just wasn’t in the mood mentally to grind it out.
My off season training had me in the gym a whole bunch lifting heavy shit – a great way to work out those inner demons! Throw in the holidays, stress eating and good home cooking (which wifey had been doing a lot of as her own way to de-stress from treatments) and you have your boy going into this race stronger from weight training but also heavier and a bit fluffier than I’d like to be. As I started to get back into more structured running, the legs felt heavier and less snappy and I could definitely feel the extra weight! Given all that, I went into the race with not much expectations. If I could get under twenty minutes, I’ll be mad happy!
Heading into the final mile!
The course is the same as it’s always been. It’s shaped like a T. You head out from downtown Carlsbad toward the course, take a left heading south on the coast, hit the u-turn and head north, hit the u-turn on the other end, head back south and finally turn left back into downtown for the finish. Got that? The Masters Men’s race is the first race of the morning. It’s cold, partly sunny weather. The family and I get there and hangout for a bit, running into some race buds and all. We get to about thirty minutes before race start and it’s time to get the warm up going. For a short race like this, a good warm up is key. Redlining your engine from the start puts a lot of stress on it. If you’re not warming up properly you could pull a muscle and injure yourself. Plus, you’re body most likely isn’t adapted to hitting your best times physiologically. I get some dynamic movement going and finish off with a bunch of strides. Finally, it’s time to get into the corrals and get going!
On your mark, get set, GO! I’m tucked in just behind the front runners. We cross the timing mat and I stay on the left side of the road. Since I’m not in prime 5k form, I know racing smart is clutch to get the best time possible. I gotta run the shortest route possible which means hugging the road closest to the turns, running the tangents and drafting behind folks as needed. It also means pacing well. Run too slow and it’s hard to make up time at the end in a short race like this. Running too fast in the beginning, and you burn out too soon and run out of gas.
Making the final turn to the final stretch
I stay on the left of the road as we head out of downtown and hit that first left turn. As the road twists and curves, I stay running as straight as possible from each curve. I keep looking at my watch and man! I’m running faster than I think I should be! It feels comfortable, but I’m worried that I’ll pay for it at the end. Hit the first mile at 6:05! I was hoping for closer to 6:30. Uh oh. I know that with a long ascent after the turnaround I’ll naturally run a slower second mile, so I shake off the concern and focus on running a calculated slower mile 2. I work the hill well and am able to keep a solid, sustained effort as the road flattens out. There have been years where that second mile is a slog and I’m done! So I’m feeling okay and positive as I hit mile two at 6:22. I do some quick running math and know that I’m still well ahead of my targeted pace. With one mile left, I’m either gonna fall off completely or be able to keep the effort going and have a decent race.
By now, I’ve been drafting behind this tall guy since the uphill and using him to take the brunt of the breeze that’s blowing. Mile three has a good descent for the first half mile as you head into the last turnaround. I stay behind dude and run conservatively before I get around him and hit the turnaround. Time to run up the hill I just ran down! It feels like forever to get to the top! Tall boy catches me and gets in front again. Go for it! I stay on his heels and use that draft one more time. I have about a quarter mile to the finish somewhere towards the top, so I make my move because it’s GO time! Some more quick running math and I know I just gotta hold on for about ninety seconds. I can do this!
I get around him and a few other guys and pull away. There’s some other cats ahead of mean and since I like chasing rabbits, I use them as motivation to keep the gas on. We hit the final left and the final stretch to the finish looks like miles away. As it always does. It starts off downhill and flattens out for the last tenth of a mile. Keep on keeping on! I hear my watch ping for mile three but I’m too focused on my running to take a peep. My whole body is screaming to slow down. I keep ignoring it. Finally! I cross the finish line and hit stop on the watch. 19:22! I look like I’m still dying, but I’m hella happy with the results!
Once I recover, link back up with wifey and pupperoni we hang out for a bit to chat with some run homies, my good bud Meb, watch another race. Before we leave, I sign up for next year’s race so we can recommit to this running life one more time.
It hurts! Gotta hold on!
The thrill of victory?
