It's been about 25 years...

...since I ran my PR in the mile as a senior in high school. 6:13. Amongst track runners, cross country runners or soccer players, running over 6 minutes for a mile ain't much to write home about. I pretty much sucked at distance running back then (comparatively), and I really only ran the mile all out a few times. I remember always wanting to drop that mile time to below 6 minutes, but 6:13 was the best I could do. Over the years I've had breaking that PR on my mind, but have never been able to get there. Last summer I had the fitness, but a sprained ankle a week before the mile caused me to run just 6:37.

Tonight was the last night of the Frederick Steeplechasers Summer Decathlon. Tonight's event? You guessed it, the mile. Goal #1 - break 6:13 and PR. Goal #2 - Sub 6.

I ran in the fast heat and for the first lap I tried to key on a friend of mine who expected to run around 5:50. I was aiming for 1:30 laps to get me to 6 minutes. The first lap was smooth but perhaps a bit fast, I thought. Finishing the lap I hear 1:22, so yup, too fast. I eased up a little and let my friend get further ahead. Then I tried to stay steady. Lap 2 split - 3:00. Right on target, but I was concerned because that meant my 2nd lap was a 1:38. The third lap was tough and I remained steady. Another 1:38, meaning I'd have to rip off another 1:22 to get back to 6. I surged, then kept accelerating from about 300 yards out.

There are times in these races when you feel like you just want to stop. There's a fear that you will. With 300 yards to go I was beyond that, and kicking with everything I had. Although alone most of the way (behind all the fast runners that REALLY belong in the fast heat), I ran hard. I knew this was my shot at getting that PR and maybe sub 6.

Well, I cross the finish in 6:08. PR by 5 seconds! 1:30 for the 4th lap. Now 42 years old, I can run a mile faster now than when running track in high school!!! And so far this year I've PR'd in the mile, 10 mile, and marathon.

But honestly, I really still want to go sub 6.