Tidelands Turtle Trot 5k Recap
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Shirt
Alysia and I hit a big milestone this past week — 10 years of marriage. We got out of town without the kids and spent a nice long weekend on St. Simon’s Island. As the wonderful, supportive wife that she is, Alysia agreed to run the Tidelands Turtle Trot 5k on Jekyll Island the Sunday of our little getaway. It was a small, small, small scale event, but still part of the Run & See Georgia Grand Prix Series. In fact, the two guys who put on the race basically do it just to collect some easy points in the series. Last year, there were 19 participants (yes, 19). This year though, the race exploded onto the scene with 43 runners!
The race is held at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center. It’s mostly asphalt sidewalk, but there is about a half mile of beach/boardwalk running at the end. As we stood around in the parking lot chatting, I kind of took in the other runners. There were a lot of Masters age group participants. For a couple weeks I had been thinking that maybe I could actually win this race outright. Crazy talk, I know, but, at the same time, I had improved a great deal and the competition didn’t look too tough (especially with so few runners). Maybe this was my morning…
At the starting line, we went over the course. It was an out and back on the sidewalk. Pass the dead snake, turn around at the cone, pass the 2-mile mark and turn into the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex, go down the boardwalk, run down the beach, come up the boardwalk at the 4-H center and finish line. Very flat obviously. First come, first serve on the sea shell awards table.
The first mile into the race we broke off into a lead group of 4 runners: Bo (the race director & Grand Prix Series points fiend), 30-something white guy, 50-something black guy, and myself. We had a nice steady pace going. I stayed in 4th, and was perfectly happy following the other guys. I figured it would come down to the end and I would see if I could make my move (or something like that) and maybe win. We passed the dead snake and it was gross.
At the turnaround we were all still in a line. I felt strong even though the air was thick from high humidity. It was a hot morning and the sweat was just collecting on my body. Everybody was breathing hard trying to get that precious oxygen.
At the 2 mile mark is when things started to shake out. Bo had placed a bucket of bottled water there and the 30-something guy, who had been leading our pack the whole race, slowed to grab one and started drinking. Bo also started fading back at about the same time, so, all of a sudden, it’s me and the black guy. I had some momentum going so I decided “what the heck” let’s take the lead and see what happens. I moved ahead and kept the pace going down through the soccer complex and onto the beach. It was really a two person race at this point and I could hear him breathing behind me.
The beach was tough! The packed sand wasn’t too bad, but you could still feel it shift under your foot with each strike. I think it slowed me down a tiny bit. My rival pulled up beside me just as we came to the sign drawn in the sand for our turn to the 4-H boardwalk. Here is where the race finally changed. We had a stretch of deep, loose sand to run through. It was so difficult to maintain any kind of pace, but I plowed through it fast and furious. My heart rate peaked into the 190s as I put just enough distance behind me and 2nd place. Once we got through the deep sand there was a long stretch of boardwalk. I tried to push as hard as my heart would allow. I could hear him breathing still, but he was much farther back. I knew I had it if I could just keep moving! I rounded the corner and turned into the volleyball pit and crossed the line at 22:39. 1st place overall! The crowd (one dude maintaining the clock and handing out finishing cards) went wild (“nice run. Don’t forget your card”). Most likely the only time in my life I’ll outright win an event.
I walked over to the awards table and grabbed a seashell trophy. I left a nice glass case full of seashells and sand for the 2nd place guy. I just didn’t want anything that big. I love my little trophy and it may be my prize possession now, kind of like the sexy leg lamp from A Christmas Story.
My trophy
It was a small but fun event. Even though the race only had 43 runners, it was tougher than usual with the heat, humidity and sand. I’m proud of my 22:39 and absolutely loved the experience of running with the lead pack. It was great following along in 4th waiting to pounce, but it was really stressful leading and not knowing what those guys behind you were plotting. Either strategy though gave me valuable experience for future races when I’m battling a pack of elite runners for 137th place.
Alysia also ran the race and did fantastic! She came within 5 seconds of a new 5k PR. Without the sand she would have had it for sure. I’m seeing a sub-30 5k in her near future…
Maybe I’ll have to make the trip down to Jekyll Island again next year to defend my title (man, it’s cool saying that). I guess we’ll see how it’s going next year, but, for now, I’m thrilled to sit here as the 2010 Tidelands Turtle Trot 5k Champion. hahahahaha. I’ve come a long way from an anonymous finish in 27:35 on New Years Day.
