Today Benjamin raced in the 3000. He got 3rd place in 17-18 division with 8:53.73. This was a significant moment in our family history. I have wanted to break 9:00 in 3000 on the track, but never could. As a teenager I thought of 9:00 as a standard of excellence. While I could not achieve that, Benjamin did today.
The video of the race is available here.
I recorded his splits by the quarter with the Fast Running Friend - they are below. His official splits by the quarter starting at the 200 mark:
33.409 (33.409) 1:42.667 (1:09.258) 2:53.676 (1:11.009)
4:07.395 (1:13.719) 5:18.178 (1:10.783) 6:31.922 (1:13.744)
7:44.940 (1:13.019) 8:53.730 (1:08.790)
By 1 K - 2:53, 3:01, 2:59, so quite solid.
From the start Benjamin let Hunter Lucas go, which perhaps was correct, as I do not think he would have lived through a 4:31 opening 1600, and battled back and forth with Alexander Hirsch with Patrick Sicurello on their tail a couple of seconds back for most of the race.
Alexander passed Benjamin shortly before 400 to go and gapped him a bit. Patrick passed him with 200 to go, but Benjamin shifted gears in the last 100 and regained his position as third. He did not catch Alexander, though.
Additionally, in order to be third, he had to beat Nic Caruso's time from the second heat. Nic had a slow mark of 9:31 due to bronchitis and was thus put in a slower second heat, but he is an 8:46 guy. He was still not 100% at the race, but he managed to run 8:54 solo. Benjamin did beat that thanks to the final push and ended up third after Hunter Lucas (8:45), and Alexander Hirsch (8:52).
Running wise, we did what we could - Benjamin and I got in 10 miles, other kids expect Joseph ran their usual distances. Joseph did only 2 as he was racing the next day.
With Joseph, Jacob, and William at the Hornet Stadium.
With Jacob at the Hornet Stadium.
Benjamin's 3000 - quarter splits
With Julia, Jacob, Benjamin, and Stephen.
With Benjamin, Julia, and Jacob.
With Julia and Benjamin.
With Benjamin.
With Matthew.
Black Crocs 2 Miles: 10.45