HAPPY NEW YEAR! Not sure if this is my official time yet--still waiting for the results on the internet--I saw the clock coming through so this is within a few seconds anyways. I forgot to stop my Garmin until I was at the end of the finish chute and by then the time was 21:00. Update: official time 20:22. Anyways, this race was no PR but considering that it was 12 degrees and I think the course was a little long(my Garmin measured 3.16),I am okay with that. Update: the course is certified I just checked so Garmin is wrong, it is an accurate 5k. I also know that this is the best I have ever felt in a 5k--I never really felt that super aerobic distress so I'm sure I could have ran it harder--but I didn't, and that's okay because it was worth feeling this good and strong in a 5k. I decided to just run, have fun, and get a speed workout before the half in a few weeks. I would've liked sub-20, but there will be some of those this year--I will get to them! I got there, jogged 3 miles to warm up, then stripped down to tights and under armour shirt and did a few strides. We were all sort of milling around trying to figure out exactly where the starting line was because it wasn't marked when someone started telling the front row where to stand. I got a few rows behind the front and had actually turned around and was looking to see if anyone I knew was there when BANG the gun went off a minute early and with no warning, so everybody sort of jumps and turns and starts running. I think we were all startled. I just went out at what felt fast but smooth. 1. 6:20--cruising, feeling good 2. 6:34--settling into a pace that feels very smooth. I feel strong and breathing is fairly easy; this puts my two-mile time at 12:54 which is an unofficial PR--I never broke 13:00 in high school.
3. 6:34--wow my body must really like the pace--still feeling good, shouldn't feel this good in a 5k but it feels good to feel good at this speed. I never visited the puke zone in this race. 3 mile time is 19:29.
last bit--looking around for the finish, it is around the corner which is not how I understood it on the map. Oh well--sped up and finished but no eyeball-bulging sprint I'm afraid. Alright, will fix the time when I know it for sure. Race analysis: Bad: 1. I don't seem to be pushing it in races lately. I'm sure my competitive desire that pushes me into the super pain zone will return eventually. 2. I need to lose 5-10 pounds. No excuses. It will shave my times, I am sure of it. I'm the shortest and thickest girl out there as far as the local front-of-the-pack crowd. My arms are twice as big around as the rest of the gals and we won't talk about my tummy. I think it is time to give up starches and sweets for a while and really concentrate on fruit, veggies, and some protein. I know I am not built like a Barbie or a stick, but I can pinch and inch and it's not muscle--so it can go! Good: 1. 6:34 pace rocks and feels good, very manageable. Aerobically I have improved a lot 2. I just felt good today so there!
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