Race Recap: 2021 US 15k Champs/GRR

I was really happy with my performance at the US 15k Champs/Gate River Run in Jax, FL. I ran almost 2 minutes faster than last year, finishing in 53:07 and 25^th place. I went out conservative compared to the rest of the field, right on my goal pace which was a feel of 5:40 due to the wind which was 20mph with up to 40-45mph gusts. Luckily the wind wasn’t a head wind the entire way, and mainly the huge gusts that threatened to overtake me, being unable to finish as fast as I wanted due to the massive hill plus a headwind was a mere annoyance not a race breaker. 

I ran with a fellow 1st Place Sports Elite Race Team Member for 10k which was loads of fun, having run virtually alone last year. Overall, I managed to run a very even race, probably due to running so many threshold miles at approximately the same pace, hitting 5k splits in 17:37, 17:48, 17:43 for a 5:41 mile average. I felt prepared for a fast race. Five weeks prior I had bettered my 5k time, with an untapered 16:39, at the Superhero 8k/5k road race which was also in Jax.

These two races were not the original plan, as I was going to peak for Snickers Half Marathon in Albany GA which was originally in March then changed to April before being moved to an exclusively virtual event. Still really wanting to get a half time I debated over numerous options, narrowing it down to Tomoka, Wilmington, Lincoln, and Omaha.

It was less of a narrowing down than a frantic find of Tomoka, deciding this was missing a couple key elements I was looking for such as competition and concern of warm/hot weather, although the weather actually turned out to be amazing! Next I found Wilmington, which was sold out but had a waiting list. I had messaged the elite contact for the race, and he assured me I was on the waiting list. However, I had no idea if I would get in as people who signed up the same time as me were around 350 persons from the top.

Next I found Lincoln and Omaha. I messaged these elite race directors around the same time, receiving comp entry into Lincoln within two days. Omaha messaged back about five days later to which I responded I had signed up for Lincoln. Then I get a very lengthy heartfelt email from the race director urging me to reconsider as the course is ideal (very flat!) and the competition robust. Finally, I decided Omaha was indeed a better choice so signed up for Omaha. Between these two emails I had heard I got into the elite division at Wilmington. So now here I am signed up for three half marathons. My rush to be decisive is probably more impatience (my self-proclaimed worse quality along with being overly judgemental). Ahhh at least now I can stop frantically refreshing my email. My parents happen to live in Lincoln, which is an hour away from Omaha, and are super excited about me coming for the April 24^th race. Results pending.

 

-Ann