I completed my first race of the year and my first international running race.  Yes, I convinced Coach to get up early on vacation and head to Georgetown (the capital of Grand Cayman) for a local 5k.  Here is the newspaper write up:

Notice the comment above on the visitors from Indiana.  The race director (his email moniker is fatcalves and he lives up to the billing...they were EACH the size of a large human head) was obsessed with the ladies from Indiana!  The race was small and local.  We registered and were soon off on the out and back course with a police escort.  This was probably the most in shape small race I have attended.  Lots of fast healthy people and other Ironman participants (I can't believe how many other Ironman athletes were on the island...lots of hats, tattoos and logos).  It was close to 80 degrees with a mild wind.  The course was a fairly flat out and back.

I started the race towards the front.  The first few minutes I found myself flying at a 7 minute mile pace and decided that might be a recipe for disaster.  I backed off slightly and held 7:20's for a total time of 22:51 (only 14 seconds slower than my PR last fall).  I worked hard but did not blow out the engines.  I ended up finishing 26th overall, top 10 in the women and 1st in the women's 40-49 age group.  Coach finished her first 5k and looked great!  I was very proud of her and it was fun to cheer her on for a change!

After the race they handed out the awards.  Since the race was sponsored by Cayman Camera and Fuji, they handed out disposable cameras as the prize.  The age group winners got underwater disposable cameras.  It was too funny, not only did he announce Sue from Indiana but also her "lady friend."  As I went up to receive my camera, I had to shake the woman's hand and pose for a picture for the local paper.  Embarrassing and entertaining. 

So, I raced and won my first international age group award.  I decided to put the camera box on my wall of shame to remember fatcalves and another fun event. 

I have again spent December and January on my run focus.  The last five weeks I have run 164 miles (averaging slightly over 30 miles a week).  I start adding some hill repeats and interval training this week.  My long runs have been approximately 9-10 miles.  I will start building them over the next few weeks to two hours maximum.  Unfortunately, the Caymans did not have calm seas and I missed my swimming plans.  Cycling was out as well.  Time to get back in the pool and on the bike.  Triple T is looking damn close!

  

 

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