Sunday, February 23, 2020

Davis Stampede 5K-Robin-2020

Date/Location:

2/23/2020 Davis, CA

Distance:

5K

Time:

24:48

Place:

2nd (W45-49)

Teammates:

1/2 Marathon: Dana Haldeman, Martin Sengo, Troy Soares
10K: Melissa Penwell
5K: Ariel Soares, Anna Soares

I injured my hip over a week ago and I have a marathon coming up next weekend. I want to play it safe but still want to test it out today so I’ve changed from the 1/2 Marathon to the 5K.  It’s been a tough setback emotionally and it’s been a spiritual struggle as well.  But, God is faithful.  I know this but my attitude needs an adjustment.  He gave me this verse this morning…

1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3)

He wants this injury to be used for His glory.  I have my mission.

Troy suggests that I run 8:30 pace.  Ariel is going sub-8min pace and Anna much faster.  Ariel wants to break her PR of 24:42.

We see Troy off in the half marathon.  I am sad he won’t be running with me but I see our friend Dana Haldeman.  I hope he can run and find some others.

I see our friend Courtney Cardenas annoucning.  I give him a quick hug since I know he’s busy!

Anna lines up up front with Melissa Penwell from track.  She’s doing the Olympic Trials next weekend!  Ariel and I line up together further back. 

Ready, set, go! 

I feel good starting out. I’m not sure if my hip is going to hurt.  I can see Ariel up ahead.  I can see her looking at her “Virtual Partner” on her watch.  I look at my pace and I’m just under 8:30 pace.

I’m catching up to Ariel which means she’s not on her goal pace.  I want to help her.  It’s a risk to pick it up but I decide to try.  I catch up to her and we start to pick it up.

Mile 1 is 8:17.  I’m feeling really good.  If I took the hip out of the equation, I really think I could run even faster.  Ariel and I catch up to a mom and her son.  She says “this is a long time from the stroller days!”.  “That’s for sure”, I say.  I realize we both pushed our kiddos in the stroller races in Davis years ago!

200223_davis_stampede_5k_robinMile 2 is 7:58.  Ariel is running strong but I can tell it’s tough.  I tell her that we need to stay with the mom and son.  I encourage her to swing her arms like she’s trying to elbow someone behind her (but of course not really) to avoid swinging across the body. My hip is doing well and I still feel strong.  As we go down into a tunnel, I can feel something so I back off and tell Ariel that I’ll catch up.  I am able to catch up on the uphill.  A second tunnel is coming so I take the same approach. 

At a 1/4 mile to go I tell her it’s only a lap on the track now!

Mile 3 is 7:59.  It’s going to be close for Ariel!  The mom and son start to take off.  I try to pick it up too but my hip seems to be warning me.  I tell Ariel to run ahead and push it.  I see her pass the mom and son.  I tell her to keep pushing.  As she rounds the last turn I can see the son and another guy going into a full sprint.  “Go Ariel!!”.  She hangs on and stays ahead.  She gets her PR too!  Yay!  Thank you God! 

I feel pretty good finishing but I am concerned how it’s going to feel later.  For now, I just appreciate God letting me be able to help Ariel.  I love you Lord!