Jimmy D Memorial 5-K

It was an "iffy" Labor Day weekend, weather-wise, in New Jersey this year. Clouds and humidity abounded, interspersed with storms, making outdoor plans shaky, at best. I decided if it wasn't raining Sunday morning, I would try the Jimmy D Memorial 5-k Run in New Brunswick. It's for a good cause, a foundation for Firefighter James D'Heron, who died saving a family in a burning house in the city a few years back. The race starts adjacent to the New Brunswick Middle School, and finishes on the stadium track, unusual for most road races. It's also in a quasi-urban setting, which also was a nice change, scenery-wise, for me. Jogging down Joyce Kilmer Ave., I noticed I was running mostly downhill from the start, which meant I would be finishing my warm-up (and more importantly, my race) uphill. The race attracted about 800 people, and was a women's New Jersey TAC Championship event. The crowd, both male and female, were more serious and fit than most races. Most of the state's major clubs were represented: The Garden State Track Club, Raritan Valley Road Runners, Shore Athletic Club, and others. I liked the fact there were many good runners: it would be easier to hold pace with more people around. As detailed earlier, I have chronic tendonitis in my right Achilles,and a new groin injury that I'm diagnosing as Osteitis pubis. Web MD describes this as a condition that causes chronic groin pain because of stress on the pubis symphysis, most common in distance runners and soccer players. Yep! I stood a few rows back, in respect to the crowd assembled, and the start (led by New Brunswick police and fire volunteers on motorcycles) was a shuffle for about 50 yards. I found some space after that, and with the groin reminding me every step but not killing me, I passed the (mostly downhill) first mile in 6:22. Not bad, now I had to just keep it together for the second. I gave myself the old credo, "No one passes you!" I was able to hold true to that through mile two, passed probably two dozen runners, but still hit a disappointing 12:55 split. The third mile was mostly on an upward grade, but not nearly like the hills I'm used to running in Somerset County. I held mostly steady, with maybe only two people passing me, while I was able to struggle past another dozen or so. I paid particular attention to anyone with bald spots or graying hair, like myself! I thought the turn-off for the track was on the first entrance to the stadium, but I was wrong. You had to go another 200 yards or so before entering, but then the final sprint was only about halfway around. Psychologically, once you hit a track, you have to go all-out. I did, and made it across the line in 20:29, the exact time of my last race, at Lake Takanassee. My heart rate was 155, and I felt I ran as hard as I could on this particular day. The various injuries held up, and the race was not a disaster. I finished 60th overall out 765, but didn't get an age-group award in this one. Although I didn't indulge this time due to scheduling issues, there was plenty of beer and food afterward, and next year, I hope to take advantage!