My first mile was best. I ran about 10:33 for the first mile. They didn't have a second mile marker, but the splits went down. I noticed my mouth getting dry in the first mile. By the first water station, I was parched. I think my hydration needs work. I should have had that second bottle of water or my bottle of Gatorade before I started. I didn't know how hot and humid it would be. I did end up with two or three walking stints, but they weren't long. And I finished running. I was not DFL, in either the race or my AG.

Drink, drink, drink beforehand. I think that was the biggest problem for me. If I had been hydrated well, I think maintaining that 10:33 would have been possible, and I am fairly certain I could have done 11:00. This race was good experience for me to see how my body reacts.

I walked around, drank several bottles of water, ate a granola bar, a banana, and some other snacks there.


hydration.


The race was organized well. Everything flowed smoothly. I asked a question, and they answered without making me feel stupid.

It is somewhat hard to gauge where I finished with regard to other runners, because they lumped the 5k runners and walkers together. So 597 people finished the 5K, but they didn't break it down as to how. Looking at the times, I would guess that there were 400 runners, and almost 200 walkers. Dividing those two groups up would be nice, but other than that it was fine.

I enjoyed my first race.