This 54 of 58 rank was among all women, not all participants.
My mental intention was to maintain HR average of 144 for the last 20 minutes. I tried not to be intimidated by that because I did accomplish it in my recent LT test.
My time goal was under 30 minutes; a bit hard to set because I felt it would be slower than flat 5k but I thought it shouldn't be off by much. I really really did not want to be dead last. I was aware that there were a few runners not far behind me and I kept pushing myself because I didn't know how far ahead of them I was.
Result was HR average 143 for the last 20 minutes; time 29:38.
Although I often eat a Hammer bar 1 hour before a workout, this was a miscalculation today. I definitely felt GI distress. Although I ate it 1 1/2 hours before the race, it was less than an hour before the warm-up. Also, the race effort was much more intense than in workouts.

Just stick with a gel before the race. No solid food closer than 2 hours.
Continue to train.

Walked. Had Recoverite & peanut butter half bagel, banana, mini Builder Bar.
Stretched & rolled on the grass. Watched awards & then ate my own lunch.


Just need more training.


We had an incomplete team because one member backed out at the last minute. She wasn't feeling her best; but also, and sadly, she is feeling her outstanding speed decline with age and that is discouraging to her. I am fortunate never to have had the experience of being a terrific athlete so I can just enjoy the process and savor my small achievements .