Story
I was in Lancaster County, PA over the weekend visiting in-laws and I found out there was a 5K on the nearby Enola Low Grade Rail Trail. There was a cash prize for overall winners so I thought I might be able to take home something for my effort.
After everyone finished sprinting off the start line a lead pack of three emerged: myself and two teenagers. We hit mile 1 in 5:42 and I felt pretty good, but the other guys looked really comfortable as well.
As soon as we hit the turnaround at halfway one of the other guys threw down a sustained surge. I should have been able to match his move, but for some reason I was really struggling to keep up.
A gap was forming ahead of me. I watched it grow slowly and steadily as I tried to will my legs to go faster. The 3rd man in our group was losing even more ground so I was alone in 2nd. Mile 2 went by in 5:41, and by that time the race was practically over. The leader was too far ahead to catch. I tried my best to stay within kicking range but all I could muster for mile 3 was a 5:46. I finished in 17:46 behind the winner who ran 17:30.
Only two months ago I ran 16:30 at Twilight, so it was very frustrating to lose a 17:30 race. Oh well, on to the next one. Props to the other guy for running a great race!