Rollin' In The Deep

This was the third time Shane and I decided to race the Runnin' Outta Our Mine 5k in Wampum, PA. There were some changes this year such as the course and scheduling. Usually the race is held in February because the mine is a constant 55* F and makes for a great winter run sans long sleeves and tights. It also used to begin inside the mine with only about 100 feet outside to the finish line. It also had somewhere around 45 sharp turns. This year it was held in August, started and ended outside the mine, and the number of switchbacks inside the mine were reduced. Also shirts were $10 extra on top of the $25 entry fee so we opted out.

Our niece, Gabby, is visiting from North Carolina so we dragged her along with us. We arrived at packet pickup around 8:30 and stood around chatting with our friends for quite some time. I got some congratulations on my Burning River finish which was both embarrassing and amusing. Mostly because most of the people around me either appeared in much better shape or completely befuddled as to what Burning River might actually be and why it mattered.

Before the race with LAPS members Darlene and Donna

 

The race began a little late around 9:05. It started with a fairly steep uphill that lasted a good bit. I didn't bother with GPS since we would be underground for the majority of the run.We ran into an open mine entrance and I was suddenly blind from leaving the bright August light. I am sure I slowed a bit until my eyes adjusted somewhat but I never felt like I could really see. I had no GPS to guide my pace and no idea what to expect one week post-100 miler so I went purely by effort. I'm guessing my endocrine system isn't fully recovered because I felt aerobically taxed long before my legs even said a peep.

 

I hit the first clock marking the end of the first mile around 8:10. A little slower than normal but not bad for an uphill start and running over gravel.

 

map of the course

 

The second mile I just tried to hold the same effort with a slight increase to adjust for fatigue. My breathing became a little more labored but I was still okay and passing people intermittantly. Every few hundred feet we would make another sharp bend and I would see the people either ahead of or behind me on the other side of a row of rock columns. Sometimes I would see Shane and sometimes I thought I saw Gabby but mostly I was focused on not tripping over a rock or pothole in the dark.

 

I passed the clock for the second mile around 16:20. Still holding strong!

 

The last mile I began purposely trying to push with whatever I had left. I passed more runners and a few passed me. As we approached the end I could feel the warmer air and the gravel floor turned to concrete and pavement. I tried to fend off the women that were overtaking me but I couldn't hold on. Most likely I'm not as recovered as I would like to be and I pushed too soon because I really wanted a chance at an age group award this year.

 

I cleared the entrance to the mine and crossed the timing mat at 25:11. Nowhere near a PR but I will take it!

 

After the race with more LAPS members

 

Shane finished in 21:54 for 33rd overall and 9th in his age group. Gabby finished in 35:32 and 10th in her age group. I finished in 25:11 for 87/294 and 5/25 in my age group so none of us were able to take home our chunk of mine rock this year. Overall it was still a good day and any chance to get Gabby through another 5k is a good one. Now we just have to try to find another one for Gabby before she leaves for home!

Gabby finishing the race