Indoor Track Meet Mile

A few days ago, I dug up my old track spikes from high school. I figured I’d give them a whirl at this indoor track meet. They still had LONG spikes in them from cross-country in 1997:

Yesterday, I swapped out the long CC spikes for “track legal” spikes. I was going to wear them for my first ever 1600 meter run. I didn’t know how fast I could run it.

When I got up this morning, I was SO GLAD we were going to be running inside. It was 10 below with a wind chill of 33 below:

I loaded up my stuff and got out the door. I got to the track and helped Gary and Jeanne bring in some equipment. Here’s what the 200 meter track looked like:

I got registered. The woman asked my expected finishing time. “Oh jeez... I dunno...” I said. “I’d LIKE to get under 5:10...” I told her. I really had no idea, but I thought I could go sub-5:10, and MAYBE go sub-5. I actually figured out what my 400 splits would probably be if I were to run a 5 minute mile:

1:13
1:15
1:17
1:13
Equals 5:00 mile. Doable? I dunno.

That would be about what I would run each 1/4 (or so I figured) if I were to pull out at 5 minute mile. Anyway, the track started filling up as more people started showing up. People began warming up:

I got to talk to Tom and Danielle (who I see at a lot of Charities Challenge events) as well as local blogger Sunshine. I chatted with plenty of new friends too.

Because my spikes were a little tight, I wore my smallest, thinnest socks. It was the first time in a while that I didn’t run in my Drymax Socks.

First was the 800 meter run (someone ran that in 2:04!!). Next was the 1600 race-walk. The third event was the 1600, and I was ready to go:

(my feet aren't really that tiny)

They did the 1600 in 2 heats, and I was in the “fast heat” that went second. Here are some of the guys running in the first heat:

Finally, I was ready to go. I think there were 7 or 8 in my heat. Off we went. I didn’t know how to run this race. Years ago, I considered a 1 mile race “long distance.” Now, it feels like a sprint. I had 8 laps to do around this short track.

First 400: 1:15. “Good split. Probably not gonna hit 5:00, but still shooting for 5:10.” I was running in 4th place.

Second 400: 1:15. “Sweet! I’m holding that pace! Maybe I can hit 5:00!” About half way though, any spit in my mouth turned into a thick paste because of the dry indoor air. I was working hard but still feeling OK. Still in 4th.

Third 400: 1:18. “Lost some ground, but the third quarter of any race is my toughest part. Let’s go nuts and shoot for 5!” With 400 left, I started my kick and passed someone to move into 3rd place.

Last 400: 1:11. I was working HARD and flying. In fact, I was flying when I hit the line. I had more in me! I should have kicked sooner!!

Total: 5:00.70. SO CLOSE TO SUB-5!! Eight-tenths of a second faster could have put me UNDER 5! But I was still really happy with that outcome! I ended up 3rd overall (out of 15 counting the earlier heat), but I didn’t care what place I got - this race was JUST for time.

Because of that dry air, I was coughing a little and my eyes were watering. This is what I looked like shortly after finishing (still catching my breath):

And then, they had what EVERY track meet needs! A big bag of doughnut holes, lots of doughnuts, and a platter of cookies!

I had 5 or 6 doughnut holes. So good.

When the rest of the events were done, they gave away loaves of bread to the winners. They had one left over, and Gary said something like, “Steve! You’re a great cheerer and you always make these events more fun! Come get the last loaf of bread!”

Thanks Gary!! So I took off for home and got to work clearing the fresh 5 inches of snow from our yard. I fired up the snowblower to take care of the driveway. If you’re MALE and a HOMEOWNER, the sight of these next 2 “before and after” images should do something to you:

Am I right, guys? There’s something very satisfying about making a nice path in the snow, or having a freshly mowed yard, or having no weeds in your veggie garden. Come on, who’s with me?!?

Then I helped out 2 different neighbors too. I blew out my neighbors to the south, and I also cleared the driveway of my neighbors to the north (notice the 3 foot high piles on the left and the right from the snowplows that connected to make a nasty, icy fence to their driveway):

I was out there for over an hour, and I was covered in snow. And my new Zeal sunglasses held up well in that nasty cold:

Charities Challenge is hosting 3 more indoor meets in the next 6 or 7 weeks, and I’m thinking about shooting for sub-5 at their New Years Day event (doesn’t start until 11 am). Anyone interested in coming with?!?

And Gary will have some more images up on their site in the next few days, and I’ll post them when they’re up. AND I’ll have the “results” of my 20 x 100 (ugh!) swim workout tomorrow afternoon! I’ll see you in the pool tomorrow morning, Julia!

Happy Sunday everyone!