November 23, 2013
Tree City Run 5K
Wasn't planning to do a run so close to the 10K that I did last week, but with cold weather arriving, this seemed like the only race available for the next few weeks - and I wanted to get in one more 5K so I could try to break a 13:00 pace in a race before continuing to use my Saturdays for long runs.
It was freezing this morning - around 20 degrees F with a wind. There was ice on part of the course! I ran in long sweats, a t-shirt a jacket, and gloves.
It has become my habit to run a quarter mile before the race at race cadence - 90 steps per minute (spm). As I warmed up, I noticed there was ice on part of the course. Must be careful.
The race started and as usual, I was quickly in last place.
My goal for this race was to run at a 90 cadence for the entire race. Once the race started, I was feeling really good and decided to incorporate intervals into the race -- one minute fast followed by five minutes at my regular pace. That lasted for about 1 1/2 miles, then I started to get tired and figured I had better stop that fast running! The last half mile was on a "gravel" path but the gravel was more like sand. That part of the race was grueling.
Just like last week, I started catching people who couldn't keep up with the fast pace that they started. I actually passed four people! The last person I passed looked like she was a pretty decent runner and did no walking. Slowly, slowly I kept catching her. I just tried to keep my steady pace and see what happened. At two miles, she stopped at a drink station. I skipped the drink station and passed her. Then, I was so afraid that she'd catch me now that she could see me, that I made sure I did not slow down!
I set a new personal best pace (12:48) and finished in under 40 minutes for the first time (39:51). I also finished first in my age group and received a first place medal!
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