Lake Takanassee Races 2015

       Once a summer, I must return to Lake Takanassee in Long Branch, where many of my running memories and friendships were formed in the late 1970's and 1980's. I was able to make it down there for the second week of the Monday evening summer series, on July 6th.
        Yes, some of the old faithful were around, but mostly as officials, photographers, and spectators, as more and more of my generation succumb to a litany of injuries. I've had my share this year, too - more than ever before in my running life. I guess that's expected at 56 - I'm happy to still be out there!
       Arthritis in my right knee has been the latest complaint, and I had to take a week off proceeding this race. It's that crunchy sound in the knee when you move, and the tenderness and instability every stride that you land!
       Buoyed by cross-training and Aleve, my knees felt okay as I did two loops around the .8-mile loop to warm-up. The wind was coming off the ocean, but that is always the case at "The Lake," any day of the year.
     When I'm "on my game," there is always a point in a 5-k, usually after the first mile, where I mentally proclaim: "Okay, no one will pass me!"
    In this race, I found myself in third place in the field of 100 or so after the first lap, with the first two well ahead of me. I felt I was running "just right" (not too slow), but realized, if everything held to form, I would be third, or worse. I was not catching the two "youngin's" in front!
    Sure enough, two guys pulled next to me at the mile mark, which we all hit in 6:28. I tucked in with them for about a half-mile before they pulled away, and the second mile split was a sobering 13:20.
    I felt with the limited training I had the last week, and the knee still tenuous, just holding on to a respectable time would be a victory on this night. Two more people (including the top woman finisher) edged past me in the last 1.1, and I sprinted off the Ocean Avenue bridge to the finish, hoping to slip in just under 21 minutes.
    The final .1 (always a mystery as far as what to expect) took me exactly 43 seconds, and the clock read 21:02 as I passed. I always hate just missing a mark (20:59 would have been fine!), but considering everything, I was not disappointed in this effort. My heart rate read 175 a few seconds after finishing, so at least I know I gave it my all.
    Some pictures and socializing commenced after, with promises to see friends at other races down the line. Really, that's what Takanassee is all about!