University of Miami Hurricane Invitational
15:08.12, 3rd Place Overall
3-18-2006; Coral Gables, Florida (6:25PM)
SPLITS- 37, 1:51 (1:13), 3:02 (1:11), 4:15 (1:13), 4:51, 5:27 (1:12), 6:40 (1:13), 7:53 (1:13), 9:06 (1:13), 10:20 (1:14), 11:34 (1:14), 12:47 (1:13), 13:58 (1:11), 1:10 ~ all estimates from video
* Was going to write that this race was a poor, poor, effort, but I cannot honestly say that because I gave a heck of an effort. I simply was not recovered from my 20-mile long run on Monday and especially my hellacious track workout on Wednesday that totalled 105-minutes and 7 miles of interval work. I believe I would have had a better race if I had been able to get some rest pre-race, but I had to work the FIU vs. Manhattan baseball game from 12:00-4:00pm. My body was begging for a nap all day, but I didn't let it. Anyhow, this is how the race played out:
I was the top seed based on my entry (14:50), and so I was given Lane 1. When the gun sounded, I should have sprinted to establish position, but already showing the sluggishness that I felt in my warm-up, I did not take off, and got pushed back to the end of the field. I had forgotten how physical track was and these 20-year old kids wanted position. After a slow, 38-second opening 200 in which I ran in Lane 4 to get around the field of 20, I took the lead to establish a good pace. I came through 600m in 1:50 (:73) and we started running strongly, but I was soon passed coming through the first kilometer in 3:02 (:71). I believe I passed the Mile, in about 4-5th place in 4:50, and already the effort seemed too fast for what the watch was saying- I was just not recovered- I had now power. Just earlier in the week I was able to run sub-4:50 pace comfortably for 7 miles in training, anyhow...
The 2000m split was right at 6:00 (3:00), but I continued to run in Lane 2 and force the pace at times, but I would continually be cut-off by a Miami runner who ended up dropping out at 3K and messing up the tactics of the race. That's another story for another day. Anyway, I continued to struggle, running 73's for each 400m circuit, falling well beind the leaders in about 4-5th through 3000m in 9:06 (3:05) and 3200m in 9:40. By now I was in 4th place, with a bunch of same-team runners leading and still running 73's. By this point, my left leg completely fatigued and I started clipping my right calf with my left spike, quite painfully.
At this point I really wanted to drop out. The fatigue and pain was too much, but the deal with track racing is that you are completely exposed. Every one can see your every move, your every flaw. I passed through 4K in 12:08 (3:02) and moved into 3rd place, chasing the leaders, having fits of energy and then depression. My form was completely off and horrible. I must have looked ugly out there, swimming in water. But, finally, with 500 to go I caught the leader and we approached 400m to go at the line, but I really was only a poser in play. I made a decent effort with 350m to go, but the Wayne State duo responded nicely, and passing 3 miles in 14:35, I just finished up as best I could, throwing in the towel, so to speak, because I was beaten.
I finished in 15:08.12, behind a 15:06 and a 15:03 from the winner. It all came down to turnover and these 20-year olds training for track and not the Boston Marathon that had speed in their legs and not 90-mile weeks and did nothing but sit around and sleep all day while I worked (like all my excuses?) put 2-5 seconds on me in the final quarter. At least I closed in 2:21 for my final 800 meters, but, alas, it was not enough. Would really like to race again on the track, but it will have to wait until after Boston. All I can take away from this race is a personal best in Miami for a 5000m track race (they're usually all 80-degrees/80% humidity death marches and windy). I think my previous best was 15:23, though I did run a 15:12 at USF in college. Anyhow...
Onto Boston...
3-18-2006; Coral Gables, Florida (6:25PM)
SPLITS- 37, 1:51 (1:13), 3:02 (1:11), 4:15 (1:13), 4:51, 5:27 (1:12), 6:40 (1:13), 7:53 (1:13), 9:06 (1:13), 10:20 (1:14), 11:34 (1:14), 12:47 (1:13), 13:58 (1:11), 1:10 ~ all estimates from video
* Was going to write that this race was a poor, poor, effort, but I cannot honestly say that because I gave a heck of an effort. I simply was not recovered from my 20-mile long run on Monday and especially my hellacious track workout on Wednesday that totalled 105-minutes and 7 miles of interval work. I believe I would have had a better race if I had been able to get some rest pre-race, but I had to work the FIU vs. Manhattan baseball game from 12:00-4:00pm. My body was begging for a nap all day, but I didn't let it. Anyhow, this is how the race played out:
I was the top seed based on my entry (14:50), and so I was given Lane 1. When the gun sounded, I should have sprinted to establish position, but already showing the sluggishness that I felt in my warm-up, I did not take off, and got pushed back to the end of the field. I had forgotten how physical track was and these 20-year old kids wanted position. After a slow, 38-second opening 200 in which I ran in Lane 4 to get around the field of 20, I took the lead to establish a good pace. I came through 600m in 1:50 (:73) and we started running strongly, but I was soon passed coming through the first kilometer in 3:02 (:71). I believe I passed the Mile, in about 4-5th place in 4:50, and already the effort seemed too fast for what the watch was saying- I was just not recovered- I had now power. Just earlier in the week I was able to run sub-4:50 pace comfortably for 7 miles in training, anyhow...
The 2000m split was right at 6:00 (3:00), but I continued to run in Lane 2 and force the pace at times, but I would continually be cut-off by a Miami runner who ended up dropping out at 3K and messing up the tactics of the race. That's another story for another day. Anyway, I continued to struggle, running 73's for each 400m circuit, falling well beind the leaders in about 4-5th through 3000m in 9:06 (3:05) and 3200m in 9:40. By now I was in 4th place, with a bunch of same-team runners leading and still running 73's. By this point, my left leg completely fatigued and I started clipping my right calf with my left spike, quite painfully.
At this point I really wanted to drop out. The fatigue and pain was too much, but the deal with track racing is that you are completely exposed. Every one can see your every move, your every flaw. I passed through 4K in 12:08 (3:02) and moved into 3rd place, chasing the leaders, having fits of energy and then depression. My form was completely off and horrible. I must have looked ugly out there, swimming in water. But, finally, with 500 to go I caught the leader and we approached 400m to go at the line, but I really was only a poser in play. I made a decent effort with 350m to go, but the Wayne State duo responded nicely, and passing 3 miles in 14:35, I just finished up as best I could, throwing in the towel, so to speak, because I was beaten.
I finished in 15:08.12, behind a 15:06 and a 15:03 from the winner. It all came down to turnover and these 20-year olds training for track and not the Boston Marathon that had speed in their legs and not 90-mile weeks and did nothing but sit around and sleep all day while I worked (like all my excuses?) put 2-5 seconds on me in the final quarter. At least I closed in 2:21 for my final 800 meters, but, alas, it was not enough. Would really like to race again on the track, but it will have to wait until after Boston. All I can take away from this race is a personal best in Miami for a 5000m track race (they're usually all 80-degrees/80% humidity death marches and windy). I think my previous best was 15:23, though I did run a 15:12 at USF in college. Anyhow...
Onto Boston...
posted by Gabriel Rodriguez at 10:20 AM
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