Race Recap: Fast Five 5k & The Columbus 10k



From last year's Fast Five 5k race

 It's been awhile since I've have done one of these race recaps. So instead of one I'll give you guys 2 of them. Both of them involving this racing series that I signed up for this year. It's called the Coughlin Chevrolet Championship Racing Series. It is organized by Coughlin Automotive in Pataskala with 2 other dealerships in Central Ohio. Here's the weblink.

http://chevrolet5k.com/

Columbus Running Company was helping with the timing and race preparation. Also it's cool that every race your entered and every race you finish increases your chances of winning a new 2014 Chevy Sonic.

 The series benefits the Flashes of Hope, United Way, the Sam Bish Foundation among others.

http://chevrolet5k.com/Donate.html

The first race was the Stringray 5k up in Westerville at Westerville Central High School in early March. It was a cold one indeed. But I got 6th place.

The next race was the Fast Five 5k in Pataskala on June 1st at Coughlin Chevrolet. It was a little overcast when I got there. Found Brent Martin, Jason Oswalt, Eric Hamner, and Matt Blake and we warmed up on the Course. Cory was late to get there. After a little bit of stretching and putting on my flats the Elites were up first. There were only 12 guys and 6 ladies in Elite race. Very low. But anyway we were off running inbetween a row of Sweet Corvettes the dealership had.

After going around the dealership most the first mile was downhill and then we turned left on Blacks Road toward a neighborhood development. Black Road was a little rolling. Mile 1 I hit in 4:52. Felt good. Turned on Foor Blvd and did a loop on some roads around the neighborhood until we went back to Blacks Road and ran back toward the dealership.

Around the 2nd mile Jason and Cory were right behind me. They caught up with me but I was able to go with them and we hit Mile 2 in around 10:03. Back to the dealership on Blacks Road, Cory was able to make a move and I went with him thinking Jason would follow. We turned onto Corylus Road back up the hill to the dealership and the finish line. My left hammie/gluteal was a little stiff especially before the race and Cory had a little more speed and was able to distance me going uphill. Yet, I held on and was able to finish 6th right behind him in 15:35 for the 5k. CRC was able to sweep place 4-11 overall. Pretty good effort.

 

The following week in the series came the Columbus 10k in Downtown Columbus at COSI. Got there around 740 and saw a lot of CRC's and C Bus Pacers there. Warmed up for 2 miles with Matt Blake and David Mealy(our ex CRC from Cleveland). Nice to catch up with Mealy. Stretched, put on some Tiger Balm to my left hamstring and Glut and went to the start. After the National Anthem the race was off at 9:05. Suppose to start at 9:00 but this was early compared to years past where it started around 915.

 

Anyway we went down Broad Street and looped around the lots of COSI and the Spaqhetti Warehouse and went back on to the left side of Broad Street across the bridge to turn on Front Street. It started out quick. Mike Aldrink, Cory and I wanted to go around 5:00-5:10 for first mile and see where we are but I was up there with Dave Mealy and Galen Dills and we went through around 4:53. Jason Ordway(the guy who won) ran with the other leaders around 4:30's. Dills and I were behind David for all of the 2nd mile and a little bit of the 3rd mile.

 

 

Hit the 2 mile in 10:06. Pretty quick but flat around Victorian Village. We passed Dave and I was able to make a surge during the 3rd mile and overtook Dills as well. Hit Mile 3 at 15:23 when Ben Engelheart caught up to me. I tried to go with him as we hit the 5k water stop in 15:55. Catherine McMongile was there volunteering at that water stop and told me to relax which I did. In fact I felt very relaxed most of that race even though it went out fast. We turned on 3rd Ave as I was behind Engelheart as he was moving toward Jason Oswalt. We turned onto the Olentangy Bike Path. There were still bikers on there but the slower ones moved out of the way. One of them went vooming back. I hated it but was still focused.

 

The 4th mile was a little rolling as I got to Mile 4 in 20:50. One of my slower miles but it became rolling on the path and it got a little warmer like it usually does during this race. The course then hit Rickenbacker Drive where the Boat House Restaurant was and I ran up the road toward Mile 5 in 26:04 of some sorts. Stomach was feeling it but wanted to finish strong. Kept getting closer to Oswalt as we went on Souder Ave and back on the path towards the finish area another mile away. This back part was that hilly I was able to pass Oswalt with 1000 meters to go with a good eye on Engelheart but I knew I probably couldn't catch him as he finished 12 seconds ahead but wanted to finish with a good time. I hit the finish in 32:27. Probably my FASTEST ROAD PR, I beat my 10 Cross Country PR by 2 seconds and I was short of my track PR by 30 seconds (it's 31:57)

It's still a good indicator of my fitness. Especially during the last few races where I felt good. Cooled down with the CRC guys and got my award. 2nd in my age group(30-34) behind Josh Ordway. He finished 6th or 7th and got the free pair of Mizuno's since age group winner. But I got another glass mug and a little gift certificate. Tough field but this is always a good race. We took a team pic after the awards.

 

Great weekend especially after watching the State HS Meet the day before. 2 good races as part of a great series. You can still do the last 2 if your in the Columbus Area. One is in September and the last one is in November. They are both 5k's and there is fun for everyone. I'm taking a few days off to rest up and figure out a few things but I hope to be back at it next month until the fall. Safe running & training everyone!!