I had a goal from weeks back to make a new 5K PR at this race. I beat my old PR at this race last year with a 31:02, and felt confident I could land a race in the 30s. I knew what pace I wanted to stay near, so let's see what happens!

They have people marking pace groups for organization purposes (the pace marker holders don't run) so I plunked myself in the 9:00-9:59 group. It felt good to be there, back in the range I used to run in in a previous life!

The race began and of course it was a slow slog to the line, which doesn't matter because of the chip timing and I'm not in contention for the top awards (which go by gun times) anyway. I picked my way through errant walkers and slower folk, and of course got passed some, too. Finally found a decent group and didn't have to jostle as much.

As I passed the first mile, I saw Santa in his convertable VW bug, and the turkey in his classic, vintage convertable (not sure what the make is, and I didn't take the time to look), and shortly after that the first place runner who they were leading in! Speedy fellow!

I stayed on my pace and tried to run the tangents in the neighborhood and managed to pass a few people in doing so. After mile 2, breathing began to be a problem. My dang vocal cord dysfunction was making itself known. I tried very hard to do the tricks and techniques to help fend it off/actually intake air, and it was taking a lot of concentration. I may have backed off just a bit to try to get things under control, but I didn't back off much. I had a goal in mind, and as long as I was getting some air, I was going to keep pushing. I had looked at my watch and saw the 30s was a reality!

I told myself I could back down just a little until I hit 2.6 miles, then I wanted to ramp it back up and finish strong. Rounding the turn toward the finish (maybe the last .2 miles?) I really pushed. I glanced at my watch again and saw it was in the 28s, and thought, "Holy cow, I might finish in the 29s!" and kept pushing. To my own dismay, I did finish in the 29s and was stoked! I'm getting closer to my PR from my mid-20s, which was 27 or 28 something.

Nothing, I'm really pleased with my result!

Gasped for breath, hands on knees, then after I recovered I walked to find LT and gave her a big hug! Got a water, walked back to the car for my jacket and warm-up pants, then went back to see if I won the raffle. (I didn't) Got my picture with Coco, the Hershey Bears' mascot.

I also bought 2 cupcakes (banana nutella and apple something or other) from the food truck. I really wanted to buy a grilled cheese sammich but didn't want to ruin dinner later. I saved the cupcackes for the evening and the next day.


My vocal cord dysfunction. Legs felt great, I just couldn't get enough air.


In previous years, I enjoyed doing this race to support the youth hockey team. This year, the recipient of the fundraising was the sled hockey team, so I was even more amped about helping out by racing and donating.