I've never tried to just run a mile as fast as I can so I had no idea how to run this. So as soon as the race started I took off like a bat out of hell. I was pretty surprised that I was out in front as we neared the first 1/4 mile. That first quarter I did at a 4:45 pace and wow.... never before have I wanted to call it quits after the first quarter mile of a race but I was already wanting it to be over.

I slowed down a bit for the second quarter, but once I hit the halfway point my brain sorta said, what the hell it's only another half mile. I passed one person in front of me and no one passed me. Once I passed the one guy I was sorta out by myself with a big gap between me and the next person (the first overall woman who dropped a 5:13 and left the race pushing her baby in a stroller.... incredible). I just pushed as hard as I could that last quarter.

I would practice this more so I didn't spend the next 3 hours coughing. I have no idea what it was (running so fast ... breathing in so much cold air so fast... I did notice I was breathing very heavily which is odd for me) but my throat is sore a day later from all the coughing...

I stumbled around wondering why I couldn't stop coughing and waited for the results.


Nothing. I was trying to break 6:00 so I'm friggin estatic with a 5:30!


A fun race. I wish they would have let us know about the timing problems earlier so we could have all gone home instead of waiting around for an hour, but I'm sure they'll have it all sorted out next time. Another quality race put on by the ORRRC.