Well, tomorrow morning is the annual Bank of Fincastle 5k/10k, and as usual, I will be toeing the line just before 9:00AM and waiting for the shotgun (yes, the race is started with a 12 gauge) to fire so I can begin the climb up the almost 3/4 of a mile hill that’s starts the race. I can’t believe I’m actually going to be “racing” in less than 24 hours. I’m so NOT ready, especially considering the fact that this is probably the toughest course I have ever run. When I was consistently running low-32's for 10k, I ran 33:22 on this course, and I ran HARD that day. I've always said it's at least a minute slow, and probably more than that if you're not really fit. If it wasn’t the only race in my hometown each year, I wouldn’t do it, but as a previous winner I get to run for free, plus this was my first ever road race and the one I’ve run the most times in my running career, so it holds a special place in my heart.
The last two years I’ve also run the race shortly after coming off a period of downtime due to injury, which is not surprising considering how much I’ve been hurt. I’m probably in better shape than I was last year when I ran a pathetic 38:06, but maybe not in quite as good of shape as I was in 2007 when I ran 36:08. Either time is sad for a guy who has run in the 33’s on the course five times. This year I’m basically gonna treat it as a steady state run and see what happens. I’ll be pretty happy with anything in the 37’s, but I’m not counting on going even that fast because I’m gonna make sure I keep the effort under control. My main goal is simply to get in a good workout and come out of it able to continue the good progress I’ve made over the past 4 weeks. In any event, I’m kind of looking forward to it and know it’ll be fun, although I might have a different opinion during the race and just afterward – ha, ha. I’m gonna wear my Garmin too, simply because I’ve always wanted to see what the net elevation change is on this thing. That should be interesting! I’m anxious to see what Andrew thinks of his first Fincastle experience as well. He’ll be running for the win in the 5k and has trained enough out there with me that he knows what he’s getting into. Still, you have to race that course to fully appreciate it. Anyway, wish me luck. I’m definitely gonna need it!
1 comment:
Fincastle brings back fond (old) memories. September 10th 1983 I ran a 33:54 there, was 3rd overall and 2nd in my age group. I think Steve Heatherington won it and they did not break out the overall from the ages. Don Race was second. He’s my eye doc now and getting ready to retire....I took some excellent Kodachrome pics that day. I need to scan them in and post them.
Post a Comment