NOCC Run for the Whisper 5K

15:31, 5th Place Overall

3-25-2006; Coconut Creek, Florida (6:30PM) ~windy
SPLITS- 4:55ish, 10:00, 5:31 (1.1 miles = 5:00 pace)

* I guess I wrote it earlier today, "I'll take anything under 15:40," and so, I'll take it. I felt really well after this morning's 5 Mile race, in the legs. I was able to nap for 30-minutes, then spent the day with Perla, Madelyn, and my older brother, Alex, at his home in Pembroke Pines, throwing rocks in the water with Madelyn and squishing tadpoles between our fingers. Okay, not really, Perla didn't let me show Madelyn how to squish tadpoles (they're slippery!). But it was a relaxing afternoon in the sun until race-time, once again.

So, I show up and start my warm-up, and I actually am quite sore and tired. I'm a little worried about my right ankle/foot as it aches, but I do a really slow, 20-minute warm-up just to get some blood flowing. As I am running, I notice the regulars. As sh!t attracts flies, so does a money race, and I buzzed my wings over to this one for the experience. This race was awarding $750 for 1st, then $500, $300, $150, $75 for the Top 5. A lot of money for 15-minutes of work.

Warming-up, I note undefeated road king, Ryan Woods (former NC State and Farm Team member) of Daytona Beach, who has probably racked up over $4,000 in two month's work (losing only once in a 10K in Alabama to Michael Green). Kenayn Paul Mwangi was gingerly warming up his spindly legs. Fellow Kenyan Mike Korir was visible. Josh Brashears was making an appearance (he placed 3rd last year for $300). Master freak, 46-year old Phillip Watkins, was also in the running. Ah, and finally, the legend, Ronnie Holassie arrived, fresh off of a 1:06 Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, in which he closed with a 29:50 last 10K. And so, the Usual Suspects would line up, and I was sure to watch from behind...

Chatting up, pre-race, with local road king, Ryan Woods.

Gun goes off and the race is expecting a sub-15 minute clocking with this lineup. I go out as best I can on dead legs, and am in 7th place behind all the guys I just mentioned above. I feel like I'm running well, but as we approach the Mile, I am a good 50-meters back, as they passed in about 4:40, I passed closer to 4:55. I start catching Brashears and start working my way to Watkins. However, before I make contact with Watkins, the fatigue from this morning's effort hits me and I start to struggle. We turn onto 2 miles with the lead pack of 4 long gone, but I have Watkins, or "Mr. $75" ahead of me as I pass in 10:00. Good pace. However, I can't really gain on him, though he keeps looking back. We finally hit a hairpin turnaround at 2.5 miles and are forced to a walk, and we come off it clean and even, but he surges. Argh, he has more left. I start working on my game plan. When can or should I go? How fast is Watkins, someone whom I usually never race because I am usually fresher and ahead. He has run 15:19 this year. So, with 2.75 miles I take off. Completely! I think he's broken, but he's coming back on me. I hit the turn towards the 3 mile mark and he's very close. I mean, I am almost going all-out and this 46-year old is hawking me down! My goal is to get to the 3-mile mark in the lead and then just sprint whatever I have left, hoping my right leg cooperates. I make it up (slight rise) to the 3-mile mark one-step ahead of Watkins, this veteran giving me a run, literally, for the money. And I sprint.. arms flailing, legs flying, trying to get away from him. I don't know what else I can or how much faster I can run. Finally, I hear the announcer comment that I will get the final money spot. I cross the line thanking my track workout and relatively young legs. Watkins finishes in 15:35. Not too shabby for the 46-year old, but he seemed upset I would kick so hard for the money. Come on, now!

Ryan Woods won in a kick over Ronnie Holassie, 14:40 to 14:43. Mike Korir placed 3rd in 14:50. Paul Mwangi faded and placed 4th in 15:24. Great race. Great depth. Brashears would get 7th in 16:12.

Post-race was great. This was perhaps the best road race I have been to in terms of bang for the buck. For my $20 entry fee, my daughter got to ride a pony, play in several jumping gyms and castles, free cotton-candy, free popcorn, we had a free barbeque dinner. Free drinks. Free food. Free donuts. Free face-painting. Free everything. It was pretty much a free carnival. Madelyn even got a free watch and two nice purses full of goodies! Wow. And, I won $75. Geez.

Little Miss Madelyn trying to get bucked off like Nancy