I was running with a friend for this race, her current P.R. is 35:30 for a 5k and she wasn't really going for another P.R. so I figured this would just be a nice slow run. We started off and she took off a little faster than I thought we should, so I hung back just a tiny bit and she slowed down to match my pace. I usually go out slow and get faster with each mile. I held a steady pace and she stayed with me. We made it to the turn around and I told her we had to kick it up a notch. She hung with me until we had about 3/4 mile to go. There was a clump of people about 75 yards in front of us and I said we need to catch them. I picked up my pace and yelled for her to stay with me. She started falling back and told me to keep going. I started catching the group at the half mile to go mark and picked up my pace more. With just less than a quarter mile left I passed the last person in the group and was on my own. I was breathing hard but my legs felt great. I carried a nice pace across the finish line for another personal best, which really surprised me. My friend finished in 32:35 to set another P.R. for herself. I ran beside her the last 100 feet or so yelling at her to keep it up.

I think I can start off a little faster and still have some left at the end for a final kick. My breathing wasn't labored at all until the final 1/2 mile when I really picked up the pace. It just felt like a nice sunday stroll so the next race I do alone I need to really work on starting faster and holding that pace, then giving a final push the last 1/2 to 1/4 mile. I know I will break the 30 minute barrier in my next race.

I grabbed a powerade then walked back up the trail a hundred feet or so and waited for my friend. I ran beside her to the finish. I ate a banana and we stood around talking and waiting for the awards.


Running with a friend, although I don't think I would have run much faster than I did. It was a comfortable pace and I felt great.


This was a good little race, although it had a small turnout. The shirts were really cute and it was well organized. Winners got a goodie bag, so I wish I had placed, mainly because I was curious what was in the bag. There were some door prizes and they had water, powerade and bananas for post race. Overall I was pleased for such a small race.