Lined up near the front as there only appeared to be a handful of fast runners. Downhill for the first 1/2 mile and hit mile 1 @ 6:21 but felt pretty good. Mile 2 was more up and down and my pace slowed a bit. Took a little water at the aid station mainly because my mouth was dry and it was getting hot. Ran with Tom through mile 2 and a few times I thought he was going to run away from me. Mile 2 started the long gravel uphill and the beginning was pretty steep. The gravel was pretty loose in long stretches and it was like running through sand. I decided to slow a bit here and conserve until I reached the top. Took a peek over my shoulder at the top and saw the #1 woman coming up. Picked it up on the downhill and fortunately she faded on the last tough uphill going into the finish. Finished strong and steady but was definitely tired and my quads were getting a little twingy.

Not much. First road race in about ten months and first 5k/run fast since June. Pretty happy with the result on this tough course. Pretty much did this to prep for (hopefully) my tri next weekend.

20 minute cooldown.


Running volume, speed work.


HRCA does a great job with their races; I just wish the courses were flatter as PRs are pretty much impossible.
CB Potts on site with their Oktoberfest brew. Awesome!