Pottstown YMCA Spring Forward 5k - Run5k

I didn't feel to great the last couple days and I think I might be coming down with what ever she has had this week. The wind was blowing hard 25-30 mph gusts. Good news it was at our backs at the start, the bad news it was in our face for the longest strech of the race. I started a couple rows back from the front and took it easy of the bat and marvelled on the folk just blasting out of the gate and then fading away by the 1/2 mile mark. I eased into a good pace and started working my way forward slowly. At the first turn, I finally felt like I was moving. I worked my way up a few spot and then we turned into the windward leg. I worked into it pretty well and had someone come up aside me and we passed a few people working together, but then boom a gust catches my hat and i have to stop and go back and get it. That got the guy about 10 yards ahead and i never was able to catch it up. Towards the end, I was finally gainng on some of the folks in front but a guy came up and passed my and pulled away. I'm pretty sure that was the pass that bumped me out of the awards as the 3rd place in my age was 2 spots ahead of me. I worked home but no monster effort or a sprint as I was sort of by myself coming to the finish. Just missed going under 22 min and the hat stop and back track certainly cost me that but I was awfully windy and that certainly had an effect on my time. Not a bad effort, but I believe I was the fastest person to not get an award. But it sure was nice to do a race again, first one since IMAZ in November.

I should have done a focused warm up and been ready to go from the start and thus take advantage of the tail wind and lossing my hat cost 5-10 seconds at least, but since I don't do any speed work I really can't complain too much. Might do a few more 5ks this year, if nothing else to work on foot speed.

Walked a bit and headed in side the Y for the post race food and door prise drawing. Missed a prize by 2 number up and down. The gym was pretty full by the time I was ready to go and they said they had their largest turnout ever. It was after 11:30 and I had to get home so I missed the awards ceremony but I saw where I was on the boards. Same race 2 years ago i was 20th OA and got 2nd place in my AG.


No speedwork, coming down with something(cough, felt a bit drained beforehand), but given the wind it wasn't too bad.


Good local, low frills race.Pretzel City SPorts did the timeing and the Y was good host.