This was my 3rd year doing this race. The first year I placed 2nd Masters with a time of 22:57. Last year I placed 3rd Masters with a time of 21:38. I was hoping to go back this year and place again with a goal time of 21:00. Unfortunately, I didn't get my goal time.

I started off fine. My first mile was a bit slow, but not too far off at 6:50 (I wanted to average 6:45 pace). But I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep that pace. The bike ride in had tired me more than I expected it to. I kept an easy pace, but I had a headwind most of the way that made the effort harder than I wanted. So, when I started running my legs were already feeling tired. This was the first 5k where my legs bothered me (and eventually slowed me down) more than my lungs. I also had an upset stomach through the race. I think that was a result of the Infinit I drank on the bike on the way. It just wasn't settling well for this effort on the run.

I kept wanting to stop and walk. But I fought that urge and just tried to keep the pace as fast as I could manage. I was still passing people right until the end and wasn't passed by anyone.

Even though my race was not the pace I wanted, I still managed to finish 2nd Masters (and win $150). According to the race results, it seems the average paces were slower this year than last. I am not sure if that was because it was warmer and windier this year. Or if none of the faster runners that came last year came back.

I don't know. Maybe if I hadn't ridden my bike to the race, I would have run faster. But even if I had run my goal pace, I may not have placed any higher (since the person that beat me finished in exactly 21:00 - it would have been more interesting though because it would have been a race to the finish). But I enjoyed riding to the race and home again after. I was able to get 66 miles in on my bike and place 2nd at a 5k race in one day. So, not a bad day at all.

33 mile bike ride back home.