Seafair Torchlight Run 5k Race Recap (Another PR + First Sub-18!)

The Seafair Torchlight Run is very popular local racing event as it is one of the main events of the Seattle Seafair Torchlight weekend and takes place right before the Torchlight Parade. The race starts/finishes in downtown Seattle at the Seattle Center and offers both a 5k and 8k race option. The turnout is always impressive, with 1,423 5k runners and 1,374 8k runners this year. The first mile of the race course actually runs along the same stretch of 4th Ave that the Torchlight Parade follows, so thousands of spectators line both sides of the street and cheer on runners as they wait for the Parade. All year, I have had my sights set on this race, knowing it would be a great target race to truly test how far a consistent season of training would allow me to push myself.

Seven of my Green Lake Track Club teammates were running in the event as well, and we decided to meet before the race and go through our warm-up routine together. Both the 5k and 8k were scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start, and we arrived at 5:30 p.m. to pick up any last minute race packets and begin our warm-up. I also quickly realized that everyone was wearing matching green GLTC racing singlets. I on the other hand was sporting my blue Seattle Running Club singlet and sticking out like a sore thumb (queue up some Eiffel 65 music anyone?). We began an easy warm-up run around the Seattle Center and our group was big enough that when we turned a corner, we elicited a ridiculously enthusiastic but cut-short cheer from some spectators who thought the race had started. It was actually quite synonymous with that cliché scenario where everyone is hiding in wait at a surprise party and go absolutely bats#!% crazy as someone walks in, only to find out it's not the right person. Anyways, we finished our pre-race warm-up run and headed over to the start line with 10 minutes to spare where I ran a couple of last minute strides on my own. One minute to go and the announcer began the final countdown. As per my usual race routine, I blocked out the noise around me, set my watch, and calmly recited my favorite Jasyoga "reset" mantra (Breathe in: "I am", Breathe out: "Here now").

Start of the 2014 Seafair Torchlight Run!

The race was under way and the time to test myself had arrived. I fell in stride with Zak as we set out at a solid 5:45 pace. With all the energy surrounding us, it felt like the pace was painfully slow. All those previous races of starting out too fast must have finally got through, because I managed to shut down my anxiety and let runner after runner pass me. As we traveled down 4th Ave, we were greeted by cheers from spectators lining the streets which added an almost (half) marathon type feel to the event. My watch signaled that I had cleared the first mile in a split of 5:37. Not only had I kept a consistent yet slightly faster pace than I set out at, but I felt strong. For the first time, instead of slowing down as I am so used to doing after the first mile, I felt confident enough to maintain the pace and see if I could keep up with a pack of Club Northwest runners right ahead of me.

As we turned onto Seneca Street I took advantage of the downhill as we flew toward the Viaduct. When we reached the bottom of the hill, 8k runners were directed left onto the Viaduct while the 5k runners were directed right. After running straight downhill, my legs did not want to make the sharp right turn onto the Viaduct. Then I remembered that a friend recently ran a race with two 180 degree turns and I stopped complaining and salvaged my remaining dignity. #FirstWorldRunnerProblems.

Turning onto the Viaduct.

As I transitioned onto the Viaduct, I realized that the majority of the pack I had been running with were running the 8k and had broken off at the turn. I suddenly found myself in a weird position where I was a ways behind the front pack but significantly ahead of the second wave. I was not completely alone however, as I had fallen in between the first and second place female runners Lana Lacey and Erica Pitman as well as a St. Olaf College cross country runner, who were in the same situation. We formed a small temporary pack and kept each others' paces honest. At that moment, in the middle of the race, it hit me how much fun I was having. This was so cool. I was racing next to some amazing runners and I had found that elusive feeling that running on the right day can bring. The feeling of flying. Of weightlessness. Of speed. My watch signaled I had cleared the second mile split in 5:40 placing me in a perfect striking position to hit a PR.

Feeling strong, I began to break away. Taking a chance and making a move!

The third mile of a 5k hurts. There is no escaping this fact. With the splits I was pushing in the first two miles, I knew it was going to be especially brutal this time. All you can do is accept this truth and try to hold on. As we moved off of the Viaduct onto Western Ave, I let all hesitation go. It was no longer about strategy. It was about trusting that the hard work and the miles I put in this season and the confidence gained little by little from previous races would carry me through to the finish. It was about taking a chance and putting everything I had into one last mile. I accepted the hurt and embraced the final uphill section of the course up Broad Street. With about 200 meters left to go, I turned the final corner and the finish line came into view. My eyes immediately zeroed in on the official race clock with anticipation and excitement.

[17:31] Wait, what?! Not only could I run a PR, but I had a shot at breaking 18:00 as well!

[17:35] I switched gears into 200 meter repeat mode and thought of the path that brought me to this point. 

[17:37] Learning from other runners, running blogs, friends, coaches.

[17:38] Learning from past races. Discovering race by race what works for me and what doesn't.

[17:40] The long runs. 

[17:42] The track workouts.

[17:45] The pre-race warm-up. 

[17:47] The 5:37 first mile. 

[17:48] The 5:40 second mile.

[17:50] The pain I felt from running a hard race, loudly reminding me just how alive I was and in the moment.

[17:51] And most importantly: knowing I was exactly where I should be, doing what I love to do. Run.

[17:53] I made it.

'I look up to the sky, and now the world is mine, I've known it all my life. I made it. I made it.'

I flew through the finish line coming in 15th overall with a new PR and first sub-18 5k in an official time of 17:53! There were no trumpets or bells or fanclub groupies cheering my name. There was just an overwhelming sense of accomplishment of breaking a significant barrier and gratitude that I was healthy and able to give it my all that day on that 5k stretch of road. As Oiselle runner Lauren Fleshman stated in my favorite article from the June 2014 issue of Runner's World: "The 5-k is freaking awesome!". I couldn't agree more.

Post Race Comments/Fanboy news:

1. I ran into a number of TMNR friends who appeared to have had great races as well. Congrats to everyone!

2. Neil - Yes, I ran a glorious "Old Man PR B-Standard"!

3. So Brooks Beast Jamie Cheever totally complimented me on my running shirt during the last TMNR (probably made my week). Sadly, I admitted I totally stole the look of her teammate Riley Masters from an Instagram photo of him during a track workout. Maybe the Brooks Beasts should try to add a modeling clause into their contracts.

4. It was awesome having so many from the GLTC show up. It has been forever since I have been in a team setting and definitely drew strength from knowing my team was there with me.

Green Lake Track Club at our home track field.
Photo credit thanks to Janelle.

Things that have helped me achieve my racing goals this year: 

1. Jasyoga. I kid you not, this has become a staple in my recovery and injury prevention routine. I will be the first to admit that I am definitely not the model yogi. Downward dog? No no, but I can do this awesome rigid tree pose. Reclining hero? No no, rigid tree pose. Standing forward fold? No no, awkward bendy rigid tree pose. Like running, yoga has taken a lot of consistent work and patience but it has overcome all odds and turned this runner from a rigid tree into a respectably pliable tree.

There I am in the back (where nobody can see me) managing a pitiful 3 inch lift on the single leg balance (the bane of my yoga existence). #KillingItOutdoorStudioStyle
Photo credit thanks to Jasyoga.

2. This past year I have tried to connect and surround myself with other runners who inspire me. There is  so much running talent in Seattle that it has felt overwhelming at times. I have also tried to do everything in my power to stay motivated and not burn myself out. During any down points throughout the season, I always tried to step back and look at the bigger picture. Key races I was working toward. Goals I was hoping to achieve. Team members and friends there supporting me.

To summarize this in a very sage and philosophical way:

Surround yourself with inspiration, compliment it with motivation, and support it with determination.