4th Of July Race

Today I, along with many from our running club, ran the Leonide J. Lemire 4.9 Road Race. The nations 2nd oldest road race (Boston being #1). It's the 3rd year I have run this race. Its the first time that it wasn't in the 90's hot and humid. It was probably in the upper 70's at race start, a bit humid but manageable.

I haven't "raced" a race in since before Boston. It was actually the 15k Boston Tuneup race early April the last time I did. I came into this race today with the mindset to have fun with my friends and have a good time. As any runner would, I quickly got into race mode right before the race. My right calf was feeling tight all morning, but that wasn't stopping me. I was sizing up the competition and planning my move.

Race started at 9am on the dot and I was off!!! I ran well the first 2 miles, all under 7min miles, but come mile 3, I was done. I had to walk at the infamous West St hill. Everyone that has done this race knows the West St hill. And if you do not know, you quickly get schooled on it. Its a tough 1/2 mile hill that does just about everyone in. I started questioning my training the past couple weeks on this hill. I really need to get healthy and really start training well before my next road race. I was really upset with myself at this point. I honestly believe this is the first time I really struggled at a race to the point where I was like "WTF is wrong with me?!" My body was not up to this race today. I knew it coming into it, but yet, I still went for it.

I honestly could not wait for this race to get done. I started out way to fast and died out towards the end. At the end I was so happy I was done.

I was hurting!!!

I came in 20th over all and 4th in my age group. Not bad honestly. But I still feel I could have done soo much better. I honestly saw 2nd in my age group doable. It just slipped away at West St.


After all was said and done, and I look back at it now... it wasn't a bad race. Yes, I could have done better. Yes, training could have been better. But I did not do bad at all. I'm my worst critic. I think most of us as runners are. Thats how we get better or faster. We challenge ourselves. That is the lesson I took home with me today. I need to get healthier so I can get better. Healthier being the key word. I need to get healthier first.

The best thing about this race is the raffle they have afterwards. The big joke is that you can walk away with toilet paper or laundry detergent at the end of the race. They raffle off just about anything you can think of that was donated to the race.

Many from our group won prizes from the raffle. 

I got a Webber Seasoning kit. Aw yeah!!

Overall, I was not happy with my time or performance of this race, but I'll take it for what it is. I know I'm not at 100%. My body is just not with it right now. But I gave it my all. Nothing more that I could do. I had a great time with my friends and that was originally my goal.

So it was a win, win...

Until next time... hopefully a better race.

- Jose