I almost didn't go to this race. I didn't know anyone else going and I was so tired from the week before. I went into the race hoping to beat my last 5K time of 30:33. I was hoping to come in around 30 minutes, but secretly wanted to be just under!

Since I have been doing strength training for a few weeks and have done a few longer distance runs I decided to use this race to see if any of that had made a difference. I started out faster than normal to see how I felt, I slowed down a little and tried to get into a good, but a little faster than normal pace. It was really hard to tell how I was doing because there were no mile markers. I figured I'd just go as fast as I could and if I had to slow down at the end that was OK. At one point (around mile 2?) I had to slow down because I felt sick from drinking too much, but then the finish area was coming into sight so I sped up again.

I was so excited when I saw the finish clock still in the 20's. I decided not to look unitl the results were up in case I read it wrong. I tried to srpint into the end but some guy came flying up behind me and got right in my way. (ruined my finishing pictures!)

When the results went up I almost died when I saw my name in 2nd place in my age group!! I know I wouldn't have gotten a medal in most other races (this was a small race and I think the fast people decided to do the 1/2), but I wasn't telling anyone that. And I got as nice long sleeve t-shirt to go with my medal - so I am so glad I woke up for this race!

Not much - maybe not drink so much before hand so I could have really sprinted at the end.

Walked for a bit then watched the rest of the 5K'ers and the 1/2 marathoners come in with some ladies I had met. I got to watch my local running store manager win the 1/2 mary - he looked like he had barely run the 5K. Got my medal!! :)


Drinking too much - but I don't know if it would have made much of a difference since this was so fast for me anyway.