5K Ranger Run National Camporama 2012

Competed in my very first 5K road race at the 2012 Royal Ranger National Camporama to raise money for BGMC.  After driving three days with the district I went to bed late the next two nights before the race.  Then I was not able to sleep well, so I knew that I was going to do well.  From the campsite I took the long way to the starting point to warm up.  I attempted to jog and realized then I was in trouble.  I just didn't have it.   Since this was my very first 5K I knew that what ever I did it would be a Personal Best, so I didn't need to do too well.  The course also went along dirt roads with rocks strewn along the way.  Didn't wear my 5 fingers, though several other people were wearing theirs. 

I did have two goals.  One was to beat Sy (an 11 year old from out outpost).  I also did not want to end up dead last.  We checked in and then proceeded to the starting point.  I then realized I was in trouble.  There was a guy in a tri suit and many other very in shape looking people.  We waited and waited and waited and then I realized I should have brought some water. 

We finally took off and Sy was instantly ahead of me.  I had told him to take it easy and warned him about the dangers of getting caught up in the race and going too fast, especially in the start.  But Sy did not blast ahead, I'm just a slow runner so he was going at a nice steady pace.  A while later I saw him ahead walking and when he saw me he started a slow jog.  This continued for most of the race.

I usually can run a 5K without stopping, but this was not the case.  Not only did I get little sleep the previous two nights, but the humidity was around 85% and it seemed hot for a 7 am start.  So I plodded along as people as those who looked in shape surged ahead and eventually those who looked out of shape began to pass me as well.  I did pass a few walkers, so I knew I wasn't in the very back. 

Towards the end of the race, I caught back up to Sy and walked behind him for a bit and he finally turned around, but this time I was ready for him to run.  He didn't.  So I finally passed him with about a quarter of a mile left to the race.  I had really thought Sy would run super fast to start and burn himself out, but he really did a great job pacing himself.  He also had never run a 5K before, never mind in a race, so hats off to him for the great effort.

I finally finished in a time of 41:39 and ended up being second to last in my age group. I didn't place last in the whole group or my age division, I'll live with that, but this will definitely give me something to work on.  I know I can do better so bring on the next 5K.