Thankful

Thanksgiving week is always a big week for runners around these parts. When in the midst of marathon training with tired legs and all, it's even bigger. We have the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning then the now 3rd annual Autumn Fest 5K on Saturday evening. Turkey Trot is likely one of the biggest running races around and brings in really good runners. I was defending Masters winner for the 10K and really wanted to have a good race. In the middle of marathon training, one never knows which legs are going to show up. But, I knew I was in pretty good shape and wanted to have a good, hard effort to push the fitness just a little more if nothing else. The morning was warm and sunny but fairly windy as well, not unusual for this time of year. Turkey Trot is always fun because we get to see friends that we may not have seen for a while. Yada, yada, I go out way to fast which seems to be my MO lately (better fix that before Jax Marathon) then settle in to a pace which I feel I can handle. My goal was to try and get into a pack for the return trip North to have some wind blockers, this did not happen. I was sitting in 4th overall through the 5K (ended up it was 3rd because one of the top females failed to finish) but got passed shortly thereafter by a young gal I didn't recognize (out of towner). I tried to push on with her and have her drag me up to the Dane who was running just up the road from me, but I was paying for my early pacing woes! Ended up pushing through the long headwind section all by my lonesome which killed my pace. Still, finished up 4th overall and won Masters again which I was really happy about! Broke 40 minutes as well which was icing and a good indicator of my current fitness level. Ended up not being very sore so had a good vibe about Autumn Fest on Saturday. I got up Saturday morning and ran 4 miles easy just to shake out the old body (and add more mileage). We started warming up for the 5K and boy was I dead-legged! I knew was going to suffer in this race. Darkness descended upon Safety Harbor which meant it was go time! Got out pretty fast (again, a bit too fast) but it's only a 5K and I only had to suffer for a little while. I was second here overall (females) last year so I was really eager to get the win. Got through just shy of 2 miles and was sitting right behind the Dane and a younger gal passed me. Oh crap, now I have to race for it. I tried to relax and not let her get too far in front, just hung on. I knew the course and knew we were going to have a pretty stiff headwind the last 3/4 mile. We got around the last turn around, young gal - me - Dane, in that order. Anders went right to the front and surged. I waited, sat right on young gal, let her break the wind then decided, if I'm going to win this, I'm going to have to take a risk and go. Off I went and, lukily, she didn't go with me. I bridged back up to Anders and tried to stay with him. In the end, he had a better kick! Got just under 19 minutes which I was ecstatic about since I cannot recall the last time I broke 19 for a 5K! On dead legs no less. So, it was a good weekend of racing and we have on more week to push the mileage then start peak phase for Jax. I'm thankful that my body has held up as well as it has and that there's still some fight in this old gal! Cheers!