Once again I kicked off my race season with the St. Paddy’s Day Dash & Bash 5K in Greenville, SC. I’ve been running this race since 2013, and it is always a good time. It’s also been a good yardstick of my progress as a runner. In 2013, I finished in 39:29, last year I finally fulfilled my 10-year-long goal of finishing a 5K under 30 minutes with a time of 28:42.
The race starts beside Fluor Field on S. Markley Street then an immediate right turn onto S Main Street, right on to E. Broad Street, right onto Ridgeland drive, slight left onto Falls Street, left back onto E. Broad, left back onto S. Main Street, left back onto S. Markley Street, left onto Field Street, then into the stadium and around the warning track to the finish near home plate.
I arrived an hour early and actually managed to get in a mile warmup before the start. Then I lined up with about 1,100 green clad maniacs, my kind of race. Favorite t-shirts: You Pinch, I Punch. Luck has nothing to do with my goals. The best way to finish is to start. Let the shenanigans begin. We line up. The clock ticks down, and we are off. It starts like every 5K, shuffling forward looking for a hole big enough to run in. As we turn onto Main, I find one and get moving in earnest. My race plan is to push hard and see what happens. I don’t think I can match last year’s PR but who knows. The temperature is about 50 degrees F and a brief drizzle ends just before the race starts.
Kudos to the women with the shamrock cat hoodies, best group costume hands down. To the man in the Riddler costume, well played sir. I want to congratulate the man with a fake red beard over his own red beard, overkill looks good on you. Finally to the man wearing the weight vest and 82nd Airborne Division patch, two words: beyond badass.
The first mile goes by fast as I push my pace and take in the splendor of the Spring day and the costumed runners. My Garmin buzzes at the mile mark I’m elated to discover that I ran the first mile in 9:27. Yes I know many runners consider a seven minute mile slow but anything under 10 minutes is fast for this large, 56-year-old athlete. As I complete the first mile, I remember what Vance taught me. That 180 strides per minute or faster is optimum for most runners. I try to loosen up my legs and concentrate on turning over my feet. I remind myself that even under race conditions I’m a combination of brains and brawn. Fun fact, so are you.
The second mile is hillier, and I manage a 9:56 mile proving that my ability to defy gravity is still somewhat limited. Hey I’m working on it. Somewhere during this second mile a man pushing a stroller passes me on a hill. There was a time, say 2010, when this would have crushed my spirit. I’m a bit more mentally tough these days. I briefly check my spirit. He is simultaneously eating an apple and sharpening a knife. Why is my spirit so much more coordinated than I am?
I find myself back on Main pushing past the Starbucks starting up the long hill back to the stadium. As I make the turn back onto Markley I pass a woman running for all she is worth breathing like a locomotive. I push harder inspired by her example. Then I get passed on the final hill by white haired man but push past him on Field. My Garmin buzzes again 10:11. Next I’m through the stadium gate and accelerating along the warning track, determined to put everything I have into the remaining 100 yards or so.
About 50 yards from the finish line, something magical happens. I’m running as hard as I can and a runner slides past me. I say “go brother go.” He says “come with.” And I do. Somehow I speed up, running faster than I think can, matching him stride for stride. About 10 yards from the line, my competitive nature gets the better of me. I have to know. So I sprint with everything I have and slip by him just as I reach the finish. Looking at my Garmin data post race, I averaged 184 strides per minute for the race, surging to 214 strides per minute at the finish. Official time: 30:44 my second fastest 5K since I came off the couch back in 2009, a great start to the season. Stumble onward!
St. Paddy’s Day Dash & Bash Info
Difficulty: Hey it’s a neighborhood 5K, c’mon down.
Race Vibe: We are happy, wearing every shade of green and glad to help out local charities.
Food: The usual post race snacks plus Subway plus beer, bring ID.
Terrain: On pavement, moderate hills.
Race Preparation: If you’re a regular runner you are good to go. Running: start training in December. You’ll be surprised at how well you do. Walking: wear comfortable shoes & something green.
Newbie Friendly: Yes.
St. Paddy’s Day Dash & Bash Website
St. Paddy’s Day Dash & Bash 5K Course
2018 St. Paddy’s Day Dash & Bash Race Results
