Pain lets you know you're still alive: Yuingling Towne Bank 8k race report

Virginia Beach, VA

There's something very inspiring about having to travel for a race, maybe its the preparation and planning or maybe its the anticipation of getting there and totally emersing yourself in new suroundings. This time it wasnt totally new surroundings, but I was in new company doing something I had never done before which alone would be a great motto for life.

Of course it was quite a journey, I left my house in Boulder at 3:30 to catch the first flight out which was then delayed due to plane deicing which was needed due to a surprise snowstorm overnight. I had a layover in Chicago, which due to the delay I almost missed. I literally had to run off the plane to start to board another (does that count toward my mileage for half marathon training?)

I arrived in VA to an absolutely beautiful day but it wasnt quite beach weather (only about 68*). Race packet pick up was extremely organized and the expo wasnt much to write home about but it didnt disappoint either. St. Patrick was in the air and I was prepared for a weekend surrounded in green. Even though my legs were still sore and beat up from my 10 mile run 5 days earlier, I dropped my bags at the hotel and got out on the course for a shake out run of 30 mins. Volunteers were still setting up but they had the important pieces in place, the finish line and the beer tent.

The dinner venue was true to my CO colors, at a brewery restaurant called Gordan Biersch, they do have one in CO but I had never been to it. I did partake in probably the best Hefeweizen I've ever had (got to keep hydrated right?). Foods I recommed are the Tuscan Chicken Pasta, and the Grilled Chicken with Avacado. It was a fun filled evening reunion with a lot of laughs. As soon as I got back to the hotel I passed out from exhustion (9:30pm EST). Its crazy how you never get as much sleep in the car or on the plane as you think you will.

Race morning I was up at 6:31 but didnt head to breakfast until 7 which I ended up paying for later during the race. I jogged the .6mi up to the start line with my elite group friends. Weather: 48* light sprinkle at the start. I didnt get a great position in corral 1 (more towards the back), but it was chip timed. It took the first mile for the crowd to thin out, running down Atlantic Ave. protected from the wind by the buildings. I went out at a conservative 6:50 pace. I slowed to about 7:10pace for the next mile. At 2.5 mile the course turned on to the boardwalk against a strong wind until mile 4, this was soon paired with cramping from eating too close to race start. I tried to draft behind anyone I could but as we neared the 4 mile turn you could see the back side of the finish line. Many people thought this was the front side of the finish and therefore began to kick and pull away from me leaving me in no mans land and exposed to the wind. The course turned back onto Atlantic with some wind protection from smaller hotel buildings and curved back to the boardwalk with 600m to go. With help from the wind now at my back I finished with a strong kick (which I have the video of below). Beating an 8 year old that had passed me a mile ago. Least im learning when to kick, and yes you can kick too early.

In all I think it was a great race to start my 2011 season and got a good idea of where my fitness is at (its not ready for 6:30 pace). It was also nice to have a race at sea level and not have to gasp for breath. My legs were tired all week and I would have eaten breakfast with more time before the start next time, Since I did have a bit of cramping at mile 3. I look forward to my next race the Platte River 1/2Marathon, and the Cherry Creek Sneak at the same distance as this race with the support of my RR teammates.