When I got up this morning I was happy to see it overcast since Sat & Sun were so humid. Got to the race and met my friends there (one of the ones from Kenya heading back tomorrow AM) and there were a few other friends (from Jordan and heading back August) that I did not know were going to be there that we got to chat with. The race is pretty well organized (I ran it last year) with a larger crowd- 1299 racers. I felt good this morning, and although it was 90% humidity the sun was covered by the clouds so it was 71ish at race time and it just felt better. Oh, you know what, I do love the singing of the anthem before the run - just fitting any time, but more so on the 4th. When the race started I wanted to keep a controlled pace since I am bad about running to hard to soon, so I set my alarm to warn me if I was going to fast or slow for that first mile. I also tried that Gatorade Prime or whatever is it called. Tasted good, that was all that mattered for me :) Mile 1 – 6:26 Pace. Amazed that ended up there. One thing I
about 5K’s is the number of people who start near the line that everyone has to
weave around. The kids and the adults both, I wouldn’t call it annoying, but it
does make it difficult when your trying to pace. Anyway, I finally get past the
weaving and I hear my watch- yes I know I am going to slow, weaving does that.
After the 3rd beep I look down and I am too fast, not too slow.
Oops. Of course I over compensate and then I am running to slow…
Mile 2- 6:20 Pace. I was happy with this mile since the
first half was down hill and the second half was up hill and I was able to
maintain a pretty steady pace.
Mile 3- 6:16 Pace. Mainly up hill, it was getting a little
hard, but when you can see the finish line, even though it was a good half mile
out it gives you confidence.
Mile .11? – 5:12 Pace. I had some kick left, not a lot, but
some which made me happy because usually I am dogging that last bit of a 5K. So a good race with friends, a PR of 19:36 and felt good at the end. I am eating good today! | 