Running Lesson #12,459: Limits

Sometimes, our will plays no part in going faster, doing better, or trying harder.

I was hoping to set a PR in a 5k (3.1 miles) race this morning. I went out from the starting line at a blistering pace (too fast, really) in an attempt to test my limits and try to run under 17.45, which would require a 5.38-per-mile pace.

I hit Mile 1 in 5.31. This was my fastest race mile ever, but I could feel a hint of lactic acid building in my legs. I was in the lead pack running about 7th place, although I knew some of the greyhounds in front of me would drop the hammer at some point. These were racers that I know well, but have never had the pleasure of seeing up close during a race, so that was a nice experience.

As we hit a slight downhill in Mile 2, they began to separate from me a bit. It soon became clear that I was not going to stay with this front group. I hit mile two at 11.24 (5.53 for Mile 2--too slow for my PR goal). In an effort to go out hard and test my limits, I had pretty much cooked my legs--so, there would be no strong finishing kick to bail me out. It was going to be a grind in Mile 3.

Mile 3 includes the only real hill on the course, and it brought burning waves into my legs. A PR was out of the question, but I knew I would be very close to 18 mins, so I summoned everything I had to pour on the coal and keep my time under 18:00. I hit Mile 3 at 17.27, with the finish line in sight just 0.1 miles away--and 33 seconds to get there.

I churned toward the line with ferocity, arms flailing, lungs full of razors, quadriceps and hamstrings teeming with acid, face contorted in severe pain and grim determination.

And I hit the line in 18.01.

The sweet relief of the finish was somewhat embittered by one second--or the amount of time it takes to stand from a chair or lift a spoonful of cereal. Eighteen minutes of strategy and pain was spoiled by a solo tick-tock of the clock. Or, so it would seem.

But, there is a life lesson here. My WILL to keep it under 18 minutes played no role in the reality of actually DOING it in that final furious blitz to the finish line. Maybe that second could have been made up somewhere else on the course--a faster downhill stretch, a harder push up that hill...or maybe harder training two weeks ago, easier training two weeks ago, more sleep, less sleep, the "What-if" list goes on forever. We all play this game with our circumstances in life that fail to meet our expectations. Find fault, assess blame, rationalize. Later, rinse, repeat.

The hard reality is that in the moment of truth, my physical best today was not enough to reach my goal. It seems that is often the case in life. Racing simply puts that truth right in our face, lungs, and legs for all to see and for us to feel on a physical and emotional level. There is no rationalizing the stopwatch or the clock. It's truth can be glorious or cruel and that line is drawn with the smallest of pens. It is a line that is one second wide.

Thank God for limits and the reminder that finding our limits, physical or otherwise, is often where we most clearly see Christ. Thank God for grace, especially in those times when my best is short of the goal. Thank God for the privilege of racing and the hope of running the race and keeping the faith even when we fall short.

Brownsville 5k Experience

It was good to race a 5k again. As I wrote last week, I was not sure how the months of long runs, big mileage, and limited speedwork required by my marathong training would affect my 5k times. The question was answered positively. My last 5k on Labor Day 2006 yielded a time of 18.20 (a personal best at that time), but I got around the course in Brownsville in 17.45. Not only did a shatter my previous best, but I ran a good race. Many times, runners go out too fast or too slow, but I think I ran about as well as I could run on Saturday.

I think I run best if I can maintain even mile splits. I slowed down a bit each mile (5.37, 5.44. 5.48), but my perceived effort was fairly even. Plus, I was able to push a little but at the end of the race in the last tenth of a mile. Also, the temperature was in the low 70s and it was cloudy, which is great for a race in June. All in all, I was pleased. This gives me a goal of breaking 17.30 by Labor Day. I will have other 5k races before then, but those are mostly at historically slower courses during the peak of summer temperatures. Shaving off 15 seconds at one of those races is unlikely, but I have not done a lot of speedwork yet. I am very encouraged by this result.

Another great aspect of the Brownsville trip had nothing to do with the race at all. The Edmonson County High School property borders on Mammoth Cave National Park. So, the "cool down" run after the race included a run over a steep ridge to Houchins Ferry. This was not much of a cool down at all, since it required running straight up a ridge, then straight down to the river, and then running back over the hill and down again. Still, the scenery, shade, and smells made it worthwhile, especially after a race well-run.

Look at this map of Mammoth Cave National Park. Scroll down to the last map (the BIG one) and find Brownsville on the left side. It shows how close Brownsville is to the park. For a great summer day trip, pack a picnic lunch and take a drive to Brownsville. Turn right at the ECHS sign. Follow the road up a steep hill and then over the ridge. This leads to the Green River and Houchins Ferry. Take the ferry over and enjoy a picnic. Drive around the park, but find your way back to Brownsville and hit Bertie's Ice Cream before heading home. Good fun.

It was a good trip and a great race. Thanks for your prayers as I do not have any injuries to report--just some lingering soreness. I think my next race will be the 2k on June 23 (next 5k is probably July 14) . This race is FREE and it is the public opening of the new greenway near Weldon Peete Park on Old Lousville Road here in Bowling Green. There is over a mile of paved walking/biking trail on the flatland near the Barren River on the north end of town. Come on out and enjoy the day.