Second 5k Run!
Sat May 24th, 2008 - I ran the Weston Memorial Day 5K, in Weston CT (about 30 minutes northeast of Norwalk.)
Results are posted online - but you’d have to search for me. I placed 265th out of 456 overall (pretty average;) 34 out of 41 in my age group (ouch!) Time of 28:30 , which is a pace of 9:11 per mile.
So I finished 15 seconds faster than my time from the last race - which surprised me, I thought I might do worse. This was a very hilly course, and I was not well rested. I got a killer stomach cramp on the last 400 meters, on my way up a hill (did I mention the hills?) right before the finish line. I managed to haul myself over the finish line, but my stomach was burning and I had to sit down immediately to catch my breath.
Also, some nice folks who lived along the route were offering water in paper cups, like you typically see in marathons. It was a nice gesture, and I took one, but when I tried to drink it I choked and died. I should have waited for the finish line to rehydrate.
Timing on this race was done with “chips” that you tied to the front of your shoelaces. Each chip has a number corresponding to your bib number, and when you run over a sensor plate at the finish line your time is automagically recorded. Results of the race were available almost immediately after the last finisher crossed the line. Nice system, but expensive I’m sure. At the end of the day, they were looking for some runners that had not returned their chips, and
Drama: Apparently 5 runners were disqualified for wearing performance-enhancing headphones during the race. There were signs at registration stating that headphones could not be worn during the race, put apparently plenty of people ignore the rule, and some were spotted. I do wear headphones during my morning runs, but I don’t mind being “alone with my thoughts” during a race. It’s only about 30 minutes, you know?
My reward: Large T-shirt, a swag bag contaning some coupons, goldfish crackers, teabags, and a shampoo travel kit. Also,going out for falafel afterwards.