TC 1 Mile

Last night I ran my 8^th TC 1 Mile. This has gone from a small race to kick off training for Twin Cities Marathon to a huge race which has hosted the USA Road Mile Championship a few times.  Typically I run the first wave which is the non-competitive Friends and Family wave for two reasons. One, because I in fact have friends and family, and two, as it’s the first wave and therefore I can get to Brit’s sooner to have a beer. For a quick reminder, the last two years went like this.

Me running in 2011

Me Running in 2012

This year I ran with the Twin Cities Track Club so I ran in the Team Circuit wave which meant I’d have a lot of people in front of me. No breaking the tape this year. Got downtown, ran my warm up to pick up my packet, drop off my bag and then back to the start line. Did some strides, a little stretching and it was time to go.  My main goal was not to kill myself. 10 days out from Fargo Marathon I didn’t want to do anything stupid, blow up a muscle and be out for next week, but I did want to test myself so I was going to try to run as comfortably as I could while pushing myself. The course goes straight through downtown on Nicollet Ave which provides random people to watching and think, "what the hell are these people doing?"  Last year was a bit more fun as there was a country concert going on and the wannabe cowboys/cowgirls were really confused. Overhead one asking their friend if I had just run a marathon. Shortest marathon ever! No pacers. No water stops. Hell, I didn't even get a medal! Anyways, first quarter is right up a hill but probably the most aided stretch by the wind. Was hoping to hit about 5:00 minute pace and went through in 71 seconds, just ahead of goal.  At that point everyone had spread out and I just focused on not being passed and trying to pass as many as I could. Crossed the ½ mile mark in 2:25 so still ahead of pace and was actually feeling good. For the first time in these race my legs felt fresh, quick turnover and I didn’t feel like I was going to cough a lung up.  Missed the time for the ¾ mile marker but was focused on just pushing down the last hill, making the turn and pushing to the finish. Had one runner from Run N’ Fun right ahead of me who was not sounding great, so obviously I made it my goal to pass him, which I managed in the last 100m or so. Ignore the 10 other Run N' Fun guys that beat me, TCTC for the win! Kept looking at the clock thinking, "that can't be right, no way I'm going to finish that fast." Could read the time at about 4:30 but was completely unable to gauge how far I still had to go so I didn’t know what I’d come across in. Last mad dash and I crossed t he line feeling good. Watch time was 4:53 but official chip time was 4:51:3. Placed me 51st overall. 6^th in my age group and was somewhere between a 3-5 second PR from my best high school mile.  It’s finally official, 30 year old Mike is faster than 17 year old Mike, and an added bonus is 30 year old Mike then was able to go to Brit’s to have a Furious and watch the elites run by, which is impressive to say the least. Sadly, my “horse” for the TC 1 Mile Derby Garrett Heath finished 2^nd behind Nick Willis. Had Heath won I would have won a pair of socks. Guess I'll have to just buy my own socks. Gambling fail.