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2014 Eugene Beer Mile

May 31, 2014 (Night)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: mid-60s, a little breezy

Comments:
Picked up Matt at his place, and we drove together to South Track. It was a little cool and pretty breezy when we arrived, and there were tons of people (non Beer milers) milling around.

Matt and I jogged around a bit, then ran a bark loop and back to the track. By that time, a lot more folks had assembled.

The others on the track turned out to be college kids - a bunch of girls watching a few guys run what looked to be either a two mile or 3K time trial (as I heard them finish and say, "9:04"). They looked fast, and I wondered if they were going to race me!

Did a pretty good dynamic warm-up. Felt TIRED from the morning 20, but otherwise felt fine.

Bosworth showed up, spoke about the rules, and we toed the line. Then it was go time.

The beer: Hop Valley (Eugene, OR) "541 Lager": 5.0%, 16 IBU. Definitely light, but not as easy drinking as Little Yella Pils.

At the "GO", the first can went down pretty quick. I was 3rd out the gate, behind two slow guys. There was only one legit fast guy - Luke Vaughn - who I've battled in my two previous beer miles - but he was nowhere to be found on that first lap. However, there was another guy (not sure who) that I could feel behind me.

Got into the 2nd beer around 1:2x, but did NOT drink it very well! I tried to breathe through my nose, but it wasn't happening, and I coughed and blew some foam. UGH. So I just took big single-breath gulps and got it down. Left at 1:40.

2nd lap felt strong and, just like that, I was completely alone. I pushed hard, then eased into beer 3. Same thing: hard to breathe, and pretty slow drinking.

Third lap felt stronger, though...and I pushed hard around the field, which I was now lapping! I did a little math in my head and realized that, even with the mediocre drinking, I could still run a sub-six.

Got to the finish for Beer #4: an average pound, perhaps slightly better. Mr Roberts, who wasn't racing, was counting down the clock and I took off for my final lap at ~4:45 or so.

I struggled to find my stride in that first 75m or so, then really dug down and hammered, knowing a sub-70 could get me a PR. I hauled ass, but wound up hitting the finish at 5:55.

Fun, but painful! Not quite as fun as last year, when I beat the relay team, but still pretty awesome.

I'm pretty shocked I ran that fast. I'm in WAY worse track shape than a year ago, AND I drank very poorly. If I TRAINED for this, I could for sure run 5:30.