Allen James of Niagara County competed in his first 50-kilometer walk since the 1996 Olympic Games when he took part in the USATF national championship last weekend. He finished a very respectable third in the event. Allen sent along this description of the competition.
Trust me, as a veteran of a few races this one was one of the best. My goal was to finish in the top four and walk a time around 4 hours, 27 minutes (about 5:20/k pace). Having averaged a whopping 47k per week, I wasn't sure about being able to finish 50k in one shot.
The cast included 5 of the top 10 all-time US 20k walkers: John Nunn, 2004 US Olympian; Ray Sharp, one of the top walkers in the "80's; Steve Quirke; Jonathan Matthews, one of the top walkers in the "90's; and Dave McGovern, who has a record for most international teams by a race walker if there's one to have.
The Race Plan: Having developed a comfort zone for 5:20, I decided I would go for 5:20 having no idea what would happen after 35k. I hoped to be in the top 4 with a time around 4:27, but I mostly just wanted to finish the race.
The Race: Prior to the race, Ray, Steve and John had pretty much discussed going out at 5:20. Ray mentioned something about speeding up midway through the race and fading. John, struggling with an injury, did his best to keep it easy and go with the plan. However, a long rest stop may have taken its toll and tightened things up for John. With Jonathan rocketing to the front and adding to his lead every kilometer and Ray busting loose to chase Jonathan around 25k, Steve and I were the only remnants of the Peloton.
Steve and I had obviously began to step up the pace while we enjoyed each other's company. While with the Peloton we were constantly talking about the growing gap with the leader. Now, as a simple chase group of two, we simply tried to manage our race plan and containment.
Fully knowing I was way under my projected pace at this point, I knew I had to monitor our progressions. By 35K it was clear that Ray was fading quickly and the gap was no longer expanding.
I've always known that the race starts at 40K. A recent experience in crashing the last 5K of a 20K reminded me of the caution of pushing too soon. The pace had changed to 5:14 to 15 per K. I was concerned about that but I know the two of us were very comfortable and relaxed. Ray was the perfect chum for two hungry sharks and there was an ever-building confidence and knowledge that Steve could reel in the next bait.
The plan was now fully incubated, it was nearing time to go at 40K. I knew I could not hang at the pace Steve needed to go, but the nearly 3:30 gap that Jonathan had was still at 3 minutes and at 9K he needed to go. The plan was, hopefully, to "Rope a Dope."
Steve took off. The gap for both of us was quickly dissolving. My 2K splits down the stretch … 10:12 and I'm still thinking it's too early; 10:14 and, oh no, the wheels can still fall off; 10:07, Steve is hot on Jonathan's tail and my gap is under 1 minute.
With only 4K to go, my body refused to continue the scorching pace. Much to Jonathan's credit, he was able to dig deep and not crash as hard as we anticipated. With 2K left he succumbed to Steve's onslaught, but made an incredible effort to close Steve's gap at the finish. I was quite content just being able to muster splits of 10:39 and 10:41, my goal pace to finish.
My 50k time was 4:24:01, a 5:16.8/K total average.
Congrats to Steve and his first 50K Championship. Major kudos to Jonathan for a herculean effort for his 53 year old body and the records he broke. I still can't believe I finished with such little mileage and 14 years since my last 50.
--- Budd Bailey
