Federal Cup 5K

Clare Thrilled at First Place Finish

On Saturday, I joined my fellow co-workers at the 26th running of the Federal Cup. At my workplace, the Fed Cup is a very coveted prize. Folks train for it and generally get amped up every spring. I was asked to be part of the co-ed team, and again, I had to say yes!

Mark, Dennis, Clare & Don Tri-Umphants Win the Fed Cup


Last year my training regime consisted of two weekly lunchtime runs. I’d track the time, and slowly increase my pace as the race got closer. My time was 23:39, and I ended up 8th (out of 89) overall in Womens, with a 3rd place in my division (of 16). Of course, our co-ed team ended up winning the co-ed trophy mostly because the men (Greg, Mark, and Tony) were so dang fast.

Since I had such a fabulous time running this event last year, and I had marginal success, I couldn’t wait for this year’s competition. I was wondering what I could do to improve my training…when Don “Coach” asked if I wanted to join him at track practice….

This year, I changed my regime thusly: In the winter months, I ran for an hour of time at a pace that was challenging but not exhausting. Then, in the beginning of March, I started Track Practice with Phidippides Track Club. They have several pace groups to select from and are fairly well organized. The members are enthusiastic and encouraging. Two MUST haves for a runner who gets bored easily!

So, I ran track once a week, and then just stayed active throughout the rest of the week…skating or climbing as I saw fit. The track practices were varied in lengths, and intensities. So from week to week, it keeps me interested.

My time, this year, ended up being 22:23, which is a 7 minute 13 second pace. (At track, I was pretty comfortable running between 7:15 to 7:20). I am very happy with my time, especially since it is 1 minute 16 seconds faster than last year!!!

This time was good enough to get me 4th place overall for women, 1st place in my division, 1st place in co-ed, and the penultimate prize, the Federal Cup itself. We ended up winning the whole event, by a margin of 52 seconds! Just amazing. Coach said a co-ed team has never before won the Cup, we were the first to do so in 26 years of running the race!

Back to race day, I digressed.

Dennis & I wake up to 50 degree weather, a very chill morning dampness set in from an early morning shower. I put on my running uniform, and we set off for the Federal Center. We got out and warmed up for about half a mile. I found my team mates, and we lined up at the start.

Starting Line at Fed Cup 5K

We got the command, “Ready, Set, Go!” by Reggie Rivers (emcee, former Bronco’s player). Immediately, we were off. The pack quickly separated, and I found a few folks who appeared to be going my pace. I wanted my first mile to be steady, but not too fast-I picked a 7:30 mile pace (last year I went out too fast and started with under 7 minutes).

I caught up to this girl named Susan, and we ended up pacing together for about half the race. We had a short chat, and in the middle of it, Mark goes flying by…apparently, he saw me chatting and thought if he went by, that I could catch up with him. But, Mark’s pace was 6:57 (way too fast for me this year).

By the halfway mark, I was pretty much on my own. There was a dude who was about 20 seconds in front of me, and one about the same distance behind (who I later found out was named Rob and is a meteorologist for the FAA).

ClareFinishFedCup

At the finish line, Rob complimented me on my pace. He said he was using me as a pacer the whole race, and as it was his first race, he found it quite helpful that I was so steady. (This, to me, is the ultimate compliment!). Now, I just need to get faster!

The Finish Line at the Fed Cup 5K

At the 3rd mile mark, I ignited the afterburners and sprinted aggressively towards the finish line!

What a thrill.

Massage Tables at Fed Cup

After the race, I got a fabulous massage. I ate lots of oranges, and the other half of the sandwich Dennis made me. He had breakfast, a bannana, and coffee. We hung out for the prize give aways, and awards.

Dennis also beat his time from last year (by about 40 seconds!) and he didn’t train at all. That guy just amazes me.

The sun came out, burning the clouds away. Finally, to top it all off, it turned into a gorgeous day. I planted petunias in my hanging planters and sat outside on the porch, enjoying the late afternoon springtime.

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