looked like there were several strong local runners and then some high school runners. I lined up on the 4th row back. No start chip mat so time is from gun.

Started and weaved for about 30s-45s to get into the top 10-15. pace felt good and actually a little easy but figured I was in a good spot. At about half mile was in the top 10 and running next to a woman who was in her 50's. But I felt good and easy, 8th place. passed mile 1 clock: 6:51 - fastest mile I have ever run, but felt really good.

I then slowed it slightly on a climb at about 1.5 I was passed by a woman later found out she was in my age group. Hit the 2mile clock at 14:05. I came to a .25 hill which slowed me even more, humidity and too fast of pacing early on hit me at this point and the slow down caused me to be passed by the next person, leaving me in 10th. During the last .25 I pulled it back together and ended up only being 5 sec between me and 6th, and 1 sec. off winning my age group.

10 overall/2nd age group
then 5k race = 22.26 clock/22.24 watch (new pr)
mile 1: 6.51
mile 2: 7.13
mile 3: 7.35 the second hill of this mile hit me.
mile 3.1: .43 (7.10 pace)

line up front row and not underestimate myself. not go out as fast. get better at pacing and maybe with the help of a new pacing watch (Polar??, Garmin??)

Come to find out the 50ish woman was the girls track and cross country coach when I was in high school and is a former olympian. (Between 1976 and 1981, Merrill-Morin held the world record in the indoor 3,000 meters and two-mile run, as well as the outdoor record for the 5,000 meters. She also owned the U.S. 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 records. ...she ran the 5,000 in 15:30.) - I finished 35s behind her. I could not have imaged/dreamed of running with her in high school.

nate brought kellie and maddux so we walked around park. met some other dogs and waited for awards.


pacing!!! humidy.


This is a great race, back in 2002 I ran it when it had a 10k and a 5k. Now it only offers the 5k. It is very well organized and offers one of the only all women races in CT. They have a great woman's fair before and after the event. The location is beautiful in the rose garden. The Whole Foods Strawberry Shortcake afterwards is a nice touch, although I did not get any this year. Award was a heartshaped red crystal necklace. They had a kids race and 2 water stops on the course (I used it to dump on my head)

cons: don't tend to run right on time and awards take for ever.