Bazan Bay 5k - Race Report

I must admit to having mixed emotions about this race.

It was good in the sense that I set myself a new 5k PB (23:27 by my clock, 23:37 ‘official’ race time – it took me 10secs to cross the start line I guess). It was good that I survived after a week of feeling rather crappy. Also, I was happy to have placed 13/39 in my age group and to finish within the top half of the field overall.

And yet, deep down, I feel like it should have been better. I know that with this being a flat, fast course, PB’s are often broken at this race, and I think (even if it’s unrealistic), in the back of my mind, I was hoping to really smash my previous best. Or, maybe it was just the fact that I feel like I could have run a stronger race mentally.

Anyway, the race started out decent enough. As with any race, the start required some bobbing and weaving through the crowd, but I felt like I found a good pace and was happy with my split as I passed the 1k marker. Up to the turn around, I found myself getting a bit distracted at times as I watched the front runners racing back toward the end (I think I forgot for a few moments that I was racing too, and not just spectating... they make it looks so easy!). That said, I maintained a steady pace through the turn around and even had moments where I felt really great and relaxed and like my form and pace were impeccable.

Then unfortunately between the 3-4k stretch things got a bit difficult. The wind was coming off the water and creating a bit of a headwind, but I don’t know that that was really the reason for my struggles. I think I had just checked out a bit and let a few negative thoughts creep into my brain. I got passed by a handful of people in this stretch before I snapped myself out of my daze and realized this race was going to be over before I knew it. So, from 4k through to the end I tried to focus on my form - and even got a very good reminder from Kelly (“use your arms, lean forward” or something of the sort) with about 500-600m to go. I was happy to cross the finish line, and while I don’t think I looked very good, I actually didn’t feel too too bad.

All that said, there is definitely something exciting about a race that is over so quickly. It was really fun to race a 5k that was not at the end of a triathlon, and to take part in an event with such a deep field of incredible athletes. Victoria really does have an amazing running and triathlon community, and even if I’ll never be one of the “elites” it’s fun to be a part of this great community all the same.