I ran my second 5k race ever today. It wasn’t a PR or even close. Actually I wasn’t planning on racing it until about 4.3 minutes before the race was to begin.
Rewind a little, my unlce Leo recently got diagnosed with a pretty intense cancer. I used to rent his basement and we are pretty good friends. This race was a fundraiser for his family. I was helping to set up cones before the race began and my famliy was asking me why I wasn’t racing. Even though my legs were already really sore, I was in jeans, and best of all I was wearing my 1990′s addias high tops which weight probably 1.8 pounds each.
I went to the start line and actually started getting really pumped. I don’t know why but if there is any kind of competition, in any circimstance, I need to prove something. I know I was wearing jeans and high tops and about 500 other people were racing but I had to do my best.
As the race got underway I immediately noticed how tight my calfs were. There were some good hills I pushed through. I got outsprinted at the finish line by some guy who refused to lose to someone in jeans. A decent time, 21:15, four minutes off my personal best. I took 16thish.
I really noticed how big of a difference shoe weight makes. Those old school high tops are sweet but really heavy (they did have good ankle support though). I definatly see the value in racing flats.
