This was supposed to be a 5k, but I drove the course afterwards and got just a smidgen under 3 miles. My goal was to do a 5k in under 30 minutes for the first time. Sue and I started our usual strategy of starting at the back. Worked again this time as no one passed me the entire race. I am definitely not used to running in temps above 50-60 degrees yet so I was worried about the heat. Forecast high for the day was near 90. The sun was out and blazing at the 9am start.

I felt really good the first mile. Mile two I started getting warm. I tried to pick up the pace a little bit, but was worried about going too fast in the heat. I started to pass other runners during that second mile. By mile 3 I was getting so hot, but I picked up the pace as much as I could. I really don't think my body knows the word sprint, but I tried to increase my leg turnover when I saw the finish line. I was excited at my time, but it took me a few minutes of cooling down to make me happy again.

Nothing.

Walked around. Drank water and ate a banana. Then stood in the shade with Sue and her husband waiting for the awards. Sue and I were in the same age group because of how they had it set up. She is 44 and I am 45 so we are in different groups for most races. I got second and she got third.

Afterwards I drove the course and then went grocery shopping. Hopefully I wasn't too smelly.


Beginner runner, hot weather, middle age.


This was just a small local race. Maybe about 50-60 participants. We did get t-shirts though which was cool. No water stations during the race which is ok for such a short race. Afterwards, they did have water and fruit. The age group awards were insulated coffee mugs which were nice, but I don't drink coffee.

It was really nice though only driving 20 minutes to get to a race.