Run Like Health 5k
This is a small race on the U of U campus. I mentioned in an earlier blog this week that it's full of twists and turns, and also includes about 150 feet of climbing and an equal amount of descending. So, not really fast. The course marking was great, though, and the RD rode out in front on a bike to lead the way.
I started out way too fast. Looking back, it feels like I took off the way that you see kids take off when they run their first road races. You know, full sprint for 100m and then suffer for the rest of the race. Well, I went out fast enough that I was out in front right away. There were a couple of other strong runners in the field that are friends of mine, and a few former high school runners that are students at the U. Anyway, I got out in front and just tried to hold it. The first mile has a gradual descent and then a bit of climbing. I hit the first mile over at Rice Eccles Stadium in 5:16. Way too fast given the technicalities of this course. I feel like I spent the rest of the race paying for that first mile. The second mile retraces the second half of the first mile and then continues north through campus. Second mile split was 5:47. I was about 200m in front at that point. Just wanted to hold on for the last mile, which is basically flat for the first .75 and then descends for about the last quarter. Third mile in 5:45, and then whatever the change is for the last .1 After the race it took a few minutes to get my breathing back. I had that nasty 5k feeling in my lungs, if you know what I mean.
So, I finished first in 17:22, average pace 5:38. Kevin Tuck was second in 18:02. He's a strong runner and a solid guy. Hope I can hook up with him for a few runs in the coming months.
I got a gift certificate to the Runners Advantage store for my effort, which is great because I dropped a pair of gloves in the toilet after the race.
Before the race I ran an easy 2 and after the race an easy 5.5.
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