I started at the back of the pack tonight, and ran based on both feeling and the Garmin. I really didn't start out feeling super, legs felt a little heavy and I just felt sluggish. I was forcing myself to go slower than I thought I could. I had programed the workout buddy to run a 5K in 30 minutes. In the first 2-3 minutes it was saying I was behind just a little. By the time I hit the base of the hill, I had pulled ahead. I was starting to focus on people I could pick off in the run. I would find someone then run to pass them, then pick the next person. That worked great for the first 2 miles or so. Then there was a dead zone, where there really was not anyone quite close enough to pick off easy.

Once I hit mile one and saw the time, I knew I was running the race I wanted to run. I felt like I was starting to warm up and feel pretty good. I had hoped to negative split mile 2, but I was pretty happy with running it at just a few seconds off the first mile time. Passed it about 18:07 or so. Mile 3 I was starting to feel a little winded, but still felt pretty strong. I knew I had the bonus of going downhill. I passed the water station for the third time, first 2 I took a cup and drank most of it. Passed it the last time, I was feeling rather sloshy and did not want to toss my cookies at that point.

I saw one gal I had been chasing for most of the ran, and that I was gaining on her some. I really wanted to get her prior to the finish, but I was also worried about going too hard down that hill. So I was picking up the pace, but only a little. Finally passed her before the mile 3 marker. By then I was starting to really feel the strain. I was worried about not having enough to cross the line.

I just kept right on running and finished strong even though I was really spent. I was SHOCKED!!! to see that I was finishing sub 27:00. I could not believe that I had run that hard. I knew I was ahead, I just didn't think I was THAT far ahead.

Not a blasted thing.

Walked around, got some water, some gatoraid stretched and cheered some more finishers.


Not training for the past 25 years since high school.


They were giving away 2 bikes after the race. I didn't win one, they seemed like not super nice bikes, but still.