After a successful summer and fall on the roads, I decided it was time to return my attention back to my second love (cross-country is my first) this Spring: the Track. I ran a 1500m last Saturday at the University of North Florida's top notch track and field facility. This is Spring Break meet is perfect for an aging never-was like myself, because there are a lot of college kids from around the southeast who come to race and a lot of them are running for programs that carry talent about on par with mine. This isn't a dig--this is the truth, and I am happy for it all. I love getting the chance to race, and it was especially nice to do it in my hometown in front of parents and one of my best friends. I didn't have a team out there, I was wearing an old singlet from the BK Alum TC, and I was just out there for me.
It is nice to cling to my youth for one more spring. I just got word that I have been entered into the 1500m at the FSU Relays as well, so that will probably be one of my last "real" track meets ever. I have done my time I am afraid, and hung on as long as I can. Alas, the marathon is calling my name from Boston and I can't run hard speed intervals forever. I can certainly try, but I also just know in my heart that my body has reached its limits for the shorter and quicker stuff. I do still think I have another PR or two in the 5000m and certainly more than a few in the ten, but the Metric Mile? I have about reached my limits.
I don't feel this is anything to be upset about, like Quenton Cassidy's realization in the final pages of "Again to Carthage," I have finally accepted my fate.
The most fascinating thing I learned from my 4:19 (which converts to a 4:39. mile) is how quickly that time goes by on the track. It isn't something I forgot, it was something I learned from being on the roads for so long. You see in 10Ks & half marathons and even XC to an extent you have a lot of time to think and you have a lot more control over your race. On the track, especially in the shorter races, the margin for error is a lot smaller. As I was cooling down and then hanging out the rest of the day I was surprised how much energy I had left. The race itself had hurt like hell, but it wasn't exhausting like longer races where I usually require a nap afterward. Definitely a catch-22; I wanted to go out and race another one.
Hopefully, I get that shot at FSU if they accept my entry--if not, I will be able to get into the 5000m, and that will be alright, too.
