I started out pretty fast - I think I was running under an 8 minute mile for the first mile. For me, that's smoking. It also helped that a lot of the first mile was downhill. About the end of mile two, when it was basically all uphill, I had to make myself keep running. And I felt like my lungs were going to collapse and then explode. It's not a good feeling, but I kept going. At the end, I found just enough energy to somewhat sprint to the finish. Of course, hearing a girl right behind me helped me pick up the pace. I knew I was in third and really, really wanted to finish in that position.

Practice the course beforehand. Do speedwork regularly. Other than that, nothing. This is the fastest I've ever run a 5K.

Jogged a little, walked a little, stretched.


Nothing. My goal, going into this, was to break a 29-minute 5K. My secondary goal was to run as fast as I could for as long as I could, and I accomplished that. It was so awesome to run fast and stick with it and finish hard and actually win something, like really win something, not just be one of three people in an age group. It was an incredible Saturday.


I think this is a one-time race. The pharmacy students will be headed to their externships in a few weeks. But they did such a great job - had volunteers directing the runners at every turn (which they didn't last time and it got really confusing).
I came in third overall in the women's category. And instead of medals, they gave gift certificates and such. I got a basket of goodies from the Rolling Pin, which was awesome. I love small races!