The KeyportFest 5K on September 24 was the first leg of the #Keyport2Rook adventure.
There were mixed weather forecasts throughout the week and guess what Saturday brought?
Rain. And cold.
As you probably guessed, I was NOT prepared for either when I planned out my race outfit. Oh well. I didn't need to stay warm for too long, right?
I left my house around 7:30 that morning. Right after I stepped off my porch, I felt rain, so I went back in the house and grabbed a poncho. I knew that I didn't need to worry about staying warm so much as staying dry. If I let myself get too wet, then I would never warm up at all.
After a 20ish minute drive, I got into Keyport, and was able to park only a short walk from the race area. I stayed in my car and in my Yankees pullover for as long as I could, because once I left the car, I would be down to the tank and poncho. This was not getting off to a great start at all. Still, I had the PR mentality running through my mind, hoping that the cool weather would work to my advantage.
The upside to this race was that it is a small one. There were only about 250 registered participants, so crowding would not be an issue as much as it would be the next day at the Rook Run. I also heard that the course was flat and the finish was along the water. Uh, we'll get to that in a bit...
Soon enough, it was time to head up to the start area on West Front Street. Since this was one of the main roads in town, it's kind of weird to see it shut down like that. Anyway, there was no start line or timing mat of any kind, so it would be "Clock time is my time" deal. I wasn't sure how this would go, but I was ready.
I was going to attempt to run in the poncho, since it was still raining a little bit when the race started. Worst case, I would take it off if it dried up or I just couldn't tolerate it anymore.
Well, here goes nothing!
After some last minute instructions and the national anthem, the air horn sounded and we were off!
The course is a 3.1 mile loop that started on West Front, and went up a bridge a little bit later. So much for totally flat. Still, I started strong and hit my first mile at 10:33! I knew that I would end up slowing down (of course), but this was the start I needed to boost my confidence and push for the PR!
I wasn't taking too many pictures as this was a PR attempt, so I knew I needed to focus on the running versus the picture taking. Still, I knew I had to snap a pic of the cemetery we went past. Hey, you can't say you run past too many of those, right? I hope?
As for the poncho? I made it just past the first mile with it. It was starting to stick, and I was literally ripping it off me. At that point, the rain was starting to break, and I knew I would be fine for the rest of the race.
The halfway mark is on a section of the Henry Hudson Trail that lasts for about a half mile. The pavement was rough at that. I ended up pulling back because I knew I needed to stay smart too, since I had another race the next morning.
Pulling back on the trail, along with another bridge, resulted in 11:49 for the second mile. Still on PR pace, but I knew I needed to negative split miles two and three, which I've only done once in a race (last year's Rook Run, which was a PR).
Sure enough, I gave it everything I had, and my third mile was 11:35. I knew it would be cutting it close for the PR, so I sprinted all the way to the finish. I saw the clock at 34:15 or so, so I just BOLTED, and crossed the finish knowing I had the PR! I cut it super close (with my last glance of the clock saying 34:26), and had to wait for official results, but I knew I had it! I was feeling all the emotions, and all the cold...lol. My Garmin had me at 34:39 for 3.08, so I would just wait for the official results and see what happened. No matter what, this would be my fastest race of the year, and I gave it all I had, so I was happy with that.
There was an awesome surprise at the finish: medallions! There was no mention of them on the event page, just the shirts, so that made it even more awesome. I love when a 5K gives medals. Just another way to make the racers feel like cool kids...haha. ;-)
At the finish area, I met up with some of the Old Bridge Road Runners (one of the local running clubs I'm part of on Facebook). One of the best things about the running community is that no matter how fast or slow you are, we all celebrate just doing it! This group made me feel that, even if they cleaned house with the awards. =)
After a few minutes, I got to see my official time. I came in at 34:31 (11:07/mile)! It was only by TWO FREAKIN' SECONDS, but I got the PR! I was feeling everything at that point. I went into this race with the goal of the PR, and it was close, but I got it! Leg one of #Keyport2Rook was in the books with the ending I wanted!
I hung out for the awards and raffles, which I got nothing in either, then headed to Dunkin' Donuts with some of the OBRR people for a much needed coffee. I went with hot since I wanted to get warm. I got a pic of my coffee and my medallion, which I shared on Monday for Medal Monday.
Eventually, we all parted, since some of them were running the Bronx Ten-Miler on Sunday while I had the second leg of #Keyport2Rook the next day: The Rook Run!
Before I left, I got a picture by the water with my medallion. It clearly shows that I was feeling all the emotion at that point.
The KeyportFest 5K is definitely a small town, no-frills race. The shirt was basic, the crowd is small, and the post-race is nothing fancy (just some light refreshments on folding tables by the water). Still for $20, with a finisher medallion, it was a nice race! I would love to come back, and just might if I am looking to PR again next fall. Just hope that the weather is a tad bit better!
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