How does one recap a mile race? It took me longer to write the recap versus run the race…
The race itself was in the evening. I wasn’t expecting to run, in fact, I ran 11 miles that morning. My coworker asked if I wanted to run and I thought…why not?
The answer should have been because nothing that day set me up for success for the race.
- I don’t run well at night.
- I haven’t been on the track in months and the last time I raced a mile was two years ago.
- I ran 11 miles that morning and worked all day on my feet.
None of it matters because I didn’t plan to lose any sleep over my time. I let go of a time goal. I arrived at the race at 7, quickly warmed up and got to the track. My coworker was ready to run hard. However, I was ready for bed.
We toed the line of the track. I was in the open heat, which had both men and women. Since I don’t run the mile (ever), I couldn’t justify buying a pair of spikes and used my regular racing flats.
At the start of the gun, we were off. Being in the middle of the pack for the heat, I was positioned towards the middle of the track. I found myself boxed in during the first lap and as the third woman behind my coworker and another lady. There were five men in front of me.
I passed the first lap in 82 seconds, and I thought it was the longest 82 seconds of my life. The second lap seemed to go by faster, and I moved into the second woman overall. I felt indifferent. I didn’t feel terrible, but I also didn’t feel like I had the actual speed to move my legs any faster.
I crossed the halfway point in 2:47. I was happy with that but to be honest, I have no real clue whether that’s good or bad.
During the third lap, several young children were cheering. I was all by myself on the track. There were plenty of people in front and behind but no one in the 10-second bubble around me.
I crossed the 3rd lap in 4:15 and hoped I would be able to be under 6 minutes. Looking back that was pretty doable, but sometimes your brain forgets how to think during a race.
I pushed the last lap and by the time I knew it, the race was over. I crossed the mile in 5:40. It wasn’t a PR, but I was pleased with the time. My coworker won and finished in 5:19.
Once school is out, my plan is to get back to the track more. I think doing speed on the track versus road will be beneficial for getting leg turnover.
Questions for you:
Have you ever raced a mile?
What’s your favorite track workout?