Race Report for Enfield Twilight 5K Road Race

Today was our Twilight 5K down in Enfield, CT. I like Twilight races because they bring out all the spectators. I guess people just have a harder time getting out of bed for a 9am race than an early evening race. It also helps when you pair the race up with a much bigger event like a free concert on the Town Common. It also REALLY REALLY helps when you pair the race up with a beer tent.

I was supposed to run the race with 5 friends from work, but one bowed out at the last minute, and the other had such a severe flu bug that her voice began to sound like Harvey Fierstein (click here for a sample of Vicky’s flu voice). So, for this race, Team Mercy ER ended up being myself (and my girls), Val, Kathy, and Jillian. We were also joined by Jillian’s mother-in-law, Deb.

The race started shortly after 6pm. The course ran through the neighborhood between Town Hall and the Connecticut River. There were many, many short side roads with frequent turns. For about the first mile and a third though I was running mostly into the wind. The girls chilled out in the stroller and McKenna waved and said hello as we passed the spectators. There were lots of comments from spectators about my running the race with the double stroller. Most were complimentary, but my favorite by far was from the two guys sitting on their front porch. One obviously intoxicated guy yelled, “Good job man!” His inebriated friend sitting next to him, took a final drag off his cigarette before flinging the butt and said to his friend, “What are you talking about? Don’t you know it’s easier to run with a stroller because you have something to lean on!”

I ended up finishing in 23:55 for a 7:43 min/mile pace. I was pretty happy with that. I love racing with the girls in the stroller. Aubrey is content and McKenna genuinely has a good time. Before the race I attached the speakers to the stroller so that they could listen to some music while we were running. I get a kick out of it when McKenna tries to sing along to songs that are clearly not Nick Jr. type songs. Today she was signing Kings of Leon and the Raconteurs during the race.

But racing is still racing and it’s not all about seeing the kids have fun. I still have a competitive side. I didn’t push it too hard for this race, until the end that is. I had a guy on my heels from about the 1 mile marker on. No matter what speed I was running, he was always a step and a half behind me. At one point I almost stopped just so he would get off my ass. I don’t mind when people run beside me, but I hate it when people run so close behind you that it’s like they’re trying to draft off you or something. In the final 500 yards he suddenly decided that he didn’t want to run behind me anymore and tried to pass me - tried being the operative word though. I gave the stroller a big push and sprinted all the way to the finish. Sorry Mr. Tailgater, but you weren’t passing me in the final stretch just so your wife’s finish photos of you would look better. (OK, that was a little mean, but like I said, it’s a race and I’m a little competitive).

Jillian did very well. She finished in 26 something and turned in a new PR. Her mother-in-law took second in her AG and brought home a new medal. Val met her goal for the day and finished under 30 minutes. She turned in a faster pace than last week’s July 4th race. Nice to see so much improvement in such a short period. Kathy did very well too. I think Kathy is starting to get into this whole running thing. She had some new running attire on and before they even announced the awards she was already talking about signing up for the next race. She literally just started running a few months ago and already she’s running with better form. I think she’s going to amaze herself over the next year.

I mentioned the Mud Hog Race to Jillian and Deb and they seem totally on board. They will be up in New Hampshire that weekend anyway and they’re only staying 45 minutes away.

Anyway, here are some photos from tonight’s race and also a short video clip of Val showing off her killer stride: