The whole crowd started in a big mass. I passed the start line about 3 seconds after the horn went off. I was next to Jackjack, but she took off like a rocket. I never saw her again.

The crowd was fairly heavy at first. Reminded me some of the Chase Corporate Challenge. But after the first half mile or so, it thinned out some.

I didnt have a real plan for pace. Just go at a decent clip and see where that takes me. When we were approaching the 1 mile mark, I was wondering if they got the distance wrong. I heard 6 something over the bull horn. By the time I got to the sign, it was 7:20! Thats the fastest mile I've run since I think high school!!!! And I was just going along at a comfortable clip!

I was breathing deeply, but doing ok. Very much in control. I did find myself slowing down a touch to stay aerobic. I did not want to go too hard and burn out.

Mile 2 was about 7:50 based on the announced times. Mile 3 and 4 were similarly in the 7:50 to 7:55 range. I recall passing the 3 mile mark at about 23:20. My previous 5K PR was about 25:30, so I was WAY ahead of my PR pace.

My achiles started talking a touch at about the 20 minute mark. This is pretty typical on my regular runs. So I just ignored it.

I tried picking up my pace some in the last mile. My turnover felt good. I was taking quick strides. When we turned onto Jefferson Road for the last half mile, I picked it up again. I was passing people. I was working pretty hard as we turned into the Y. Close hard to the finish. I was shocked to pass the finish line at 38:23. My last mile was about 7:20, same as my first!

I walked it off and settled down pretty quickly. My achiles tendens were definitely talking to me, especially after sitting and chatting a few minutes. I also got blisters on the bottoms of both my big toes. But these will calous over in time.

I've been trying to break 8 minute miles for years. It was amazing to blow that away in my first race wearing Vibrams. I am running soooo much more efficiently now. My stride has energy and bounce. I feel like a runner! And I cant wait for my body to continue to adapt to running this way and I can get in some real miles. Maybe I'll stop giving the tri field so much of an advantage!

After the race, I walked around some and chatted with people. I caught up with Jackjack and learned that she SMOKED her race and won 1st in her age group! She did AWESOME!


Time and miles running barefoot or in Vibrams.