2007 Buffalo Corporate Challenge
Last night I ran the 2007 Buffalo Coporate Challenge. I participated as a member of the University of Buffalo team and was accompanied by three co-workers from my department – nice job Jim, Stew & Andy! I finished with a time of 27:07 (for 3.5 miles). I’ve created maps of both the pace and elevation from my Forerunner 201.
My co-worker Stew and I lined up at the 6 minute pace mark, but you can tell from the color on the speed map just how slow the start was until things opened up a bit on Delaware Ave. I was a bit confused to see the slower pace on the way back just shy of the end of Forrest Ave cemetary, until I remembered I slowed down for a drink there.
Although this was my first ~5K, I was really hoping to do it in under 25 minutes. But with the amount runners (~11,000), a slow start & temperatures in the mid-80s, I’m pretty happy. My average paces for the race were:
- Mile 1: 8:03
- Mile 2: 7:34
- Mile 3: 7:20
- Mile 4: 7:27
I’m used to running 5-10 miles, so it was a little weird to run such a “short” race. I really didn’t feel like I hit my stride until almost 3 miles into it. Before the race, I also ended up losing an earbud from the only side of my headphones that worked, so I ran without music – which was also out of the norm for me, but probably wise with the amount of people.
If any of the race committee stumble upon this page, job well done. The only areas I saw improvement for were a need for more garbage cans and cold water – the warm water at the finish was disappointing.
All in all, it was a great time. A special thanks goes to Beth & Kevin for supplying us lowly Technical Service UB-ers with some extra beer at the end and Jim for a ride home afterwards. I can’t wait until next year’s race!