Penn Relays 5000m - A Race Recap From Frank DeVar
"I want what every man wants, more."
Going into racing season this year, it would be honest to
say that Penn Relays was the main race I was looking forward too. The past two
years I was injured well before I could even give the race a chance, so it
became somewhat of a desperate mission to make it to the starting line. For all
intents and purposes, my body is obsolete. Injuries plague me constantly. Every
week I tell myself and my coach, “if I make it through today, I’ll make it.”
We left for the race at 4pm on a Thursday. Tripp drove, with
Dustin in the backseat. It was our first road trip together. Tripp followed his
instincts, and we made it the stadium around 8:00pm.
On the way up, coach Sweeney wanted to talk strategy and
said if the pace was slow to take over. He went on to say that I might be
passed in the last few laps but I could still kick and win. There was something
about this progression that seemed ill advised, foolish, but he rarely leads me
astray so I politely listened and said it was an option. For music, Tripp put
on 80’s pop and Trinidad James. He knows how to ease the nerves.
"Gold all in my chain
At the starting line, I stood next to my teammate Chris Kwiatkowski, and
Ryan Witters from Georgetown Running Company. The number one seed had flown in
from Flagstaff so I figured he must be in good shape. Some daffy kid led the first few laps and kept asking for
help. I wanted to talk to him afterwards and tell him that it is not a team
sport, and no one will ever help him.
After five laps or so, Dustin starts yelling at me with
true contempt. He says it’s too slow, and I need to do something about it.
Never have I had a coach sound like this, nor have I ever followed directions
from a coach in a race. This time was different, I scooted around the pack and
dropped the pace down a few tics. This
went on for the next 5 or so laps. Leading is not great, the pace soon slowed
down again. With around a K to go, Chris K ran along side me and then passes me.
The flagstaff runner follows suit. With a lap to go, Dustin yells at me that I
would win the race. He was right.
My last lap was in 58 seconds. I’ve never closed that fast.
An official brought me over to present the Penn Relays watch and take pictures.
My father was in the crowd. I talked to him. It was a wonderful experience.
A few days later, this achievement has worn off, and I oddly
feel little satisfaction.
Results:
http://pennrelaysonline.com/Results/results.aspx?en=212
| PL | ID | ATHLETE | SCHOOL/AFFILIATION | MARK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Frank Devar | Pacers New Balance | 14:03.36 | |
| 2 | 1 | Adam Vess | Run Flagstaff | 14:04.85 | |
| 3 | 2 | Chris Kwiatkowski | Pacers New Balance | 14:13.57 | |
| 4 | 14 | Brent Johnson | Trooper's Track Club | 14:34.94 | |
| 5 | 17 | Scotty Albaugh | Michigan | 14:34.94 |
OMG
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