Viktor Kimmel has graciously agreed to provide a guest post on the 2014 Crazy 8s 8K in Kingsport, TN. Viktor is a triathlete and runner based in Johnson City, TN. His race resume includes the Lake James triathlon, Bristol Half & Half marathon, Surgoinsville 10 miler and the BMW Frankfurt marathon.
Viktor’s Report
This was my first Crazy 8s 8K, and it was a blast! The race started at 9:58 pm. I somehow like those kind of evening races. No rush in the morning and more than enough time to get in your nutrition. The downside of an evening race in the summer is the high humidity. But the race organizer did a good job with providing enough water stations. I actually didn’t drink anything during the race but used the water to cool my body, which felt really good every time.
A total of 2,778 participants ran the 8K which made the first few yards a bit crowded. After about half a mile everything was sorted, and I had plenty of space. After the first mile, which I ran in about 5:50 minutes, I was somewhere in the top 100. As the first two or three miles went by I was overtaking quite a few runners who apparently started a bit too fast. Well, I did too. From mile three everyone around me was moving at about my pace. Between mile three and five only one runner overtook me, and I passed one or two. The whole time I was aware of the runners behind me and that pushed me to keep a swift pace. The last 100 meters I had to sprint to defend my place against the guy behind me. Crossing the finish line I realized it was my buddy Adam who was behind me the whole second half of the race. Adam even managed to get 3rd in his age group. Good job.
Man, that was a tough race. The course was rather flat for this area with only two noticeable inclines. I ran the first half in a 6:05 minute per mile pace, which was a bit too fast. The second half I ran a pace of 6:23minute per mile, which gave me an average pace of 6:14 minute per mile and a finish time of 30:58, which placed me 56th overall.
Since I am training for my first half Ironman I am quite happy with the pace. I didn’t do much running faster than my projected 70.3 pace (7:00 minute per mile). Therefore I am not used to an 8K pace. Overall, I had a lot fun racing Crazy 8s 8K in Kingsport, and I am looking forward to the next year’s race.
Links:
Viktor’s Blog
Crazy 8s Race Website
2014 Crazy 8s Results Page
Times News Article about 2014 Crazy 8s