We started on a slight downhill down Lincolnway headed towards Campbell. It was a little challenging to get around the crowd in the first 1/4-1/2 mile, but I managed to get to the side of the road where it was a little more clear. Then we turned north onto Campbell Street, and we hit a pretty strong wind. There were several guys around me running a similar pace. I decided to use a little extra energy to speed up and tuck myself behind one of them. I switched from one to the next as they passed one another and stayed a little more clear of the wind. We turned off of Campbell and went through some neighbhorhoods on flat ground. I was feeling pretty good and knew I was keeping a good pace but just wasn't sure how long I could keep it up. When we crossed Campbell again, we started hitting more hills. I saw a neighbor of mine who I have never beat before and thought I was probably running too fast and should slow down. I ended up passing him anyway and kept going. A pretty steep uphill at around 3.5 miles took quite a bit out of me. We went over the bridge at Ogden Gardens at 4 miles, I got a sip of water, and I saw Keira cheering for me. That along with knowing I only had a mile left gave me a good push to the end. The downhill on Campbell felt so great, but heading back uphill down Lincolnway to the finish was tough after pushing so hard all race. I gave it all I had to the finish. What a race!

Nothing! I beat my time from when I was 12 years old, and I got a new 5 mile PR!

No cool-down. Ryan had to get home immediately to get to the Notre Dame game.


I've had a sinus infection for the past 2 weeks. It's not completely gone yet.


I am always disappointed that this race doesn't have any food or drinks afterwards (except one bottle of water). I guess you are supposed to buy food from the boothes at the festival. It also bothers me that even though I pre-registered and signed up for a t-shirt that my size t-shirt was given away so that I ended up with one that is too big.