So.... Not too sure how I feel about this race. I am rather torn. The last time I ran a 5k was during the summer and I was rather out of shape running around a 19. This was also my very first 5k on a track. So on the one hand it was a 5k PR for me! But on the other hand I felt that I could have done much better. I was planning to get into the low 16's as my goal for the season is to break 16. I wanted to do 78 second lap splits. When we went out I got boxed in behind a group. It only took about 10 meters for me to feel like that was too slow but I stayed with them regardless. When we came across lap one, my coach called out 80... Crap... So I went wide to pass the group and tried to pick it up. Came across again... 80... Dang it! So I still tried to pick it up. I caught up to a runner and as I was passing him he said, "Let's switch off." Ok... So I was out in front and then after about 200 meters he passed me back. Then I passed him back again and he was gone :( Goodbye friend. Then another kid did the same thing. He passed, I passed, and he was gone. I found out later that I was pretty much leading a pack and didn't realize it. Pretty much my splits were around 80 the whole time. I was able to squeeze out a couple that were sub 80 to help me get closer to the 16:30 mark but it wasn't enough to get below that. I felt good for the first 2 miles and was starting to get pretty tired toward the end. I am not sure how much faster I could have gone but I think getting boxed in really threw me for a loop. It was a good race and I had fun. I also got a good PR out of it so I am happy. I just know that I am capable of going much faster than that. What's good is that leaves lots of room for improvement. | 