Magnus suggested that we run a time trial at the conclusion of the CSU indoor track workout sessions to gauge our progress. Neither he nor I felt fantastic going into the weekend - he had been sick the previous week, but we decided to run the race for kicks. The 9th
Malden Rotary Road Race has a 10k and a 5k; the 10k attracted most of the fast people, and there were maybe 150-200 runners in the 5k.
I didn't have much time to warmup - they started us somewhat before the planned noon time. I started fast, and attached to the front pack of three other guys. After the first kilometer, the front two guys had gained some distance, and the fourth guy had backed off behind me. I ran alone for most of the race apart from two or three forays by guy #4 and another chap who made moves on me. Guy #4 had a strange approach of sprinting just past me and faltering as I gradually edged past him; it was very unsuccessful. I kept the guy in second in sight for the entire race, but I failed to close the distance and finished 15s behind him. The winning time was 17:45, and I finished in third. I'm quite disappointed; my only previous 5k was a
track time trial in June 2010 with some orienteers. I had hoped to flirt with 18 flat, and I hope to run faster than that. This is a useful benchmark, and it will encourage me to train more. Magnus finished well in 20th place. I fell off the pace for the middle three kilometers; with a rabbit, perhaps I could hold 3:35/km. I did enjoy the road race, and we all got a substantial swag bag for our $20 entry - hat, shirt, gloves, water bottle and two loaves of bread (?).
Magnus and I joked about bringing a healthy Stephen to the race to shut down the pre-race discussion. The 10k winning time was around 33:30.