The Operation One Voice Florida Fallen Heroes 5K was pretty cool, with Marine color guard at the start, National Guard and local ROTC groups running, and cops on bikes throughout the course. Better still, it was on my favorite course in town at Maclay Gardens right across from the house. The race is in its 3rd year, and proceeds go toward the families of killed and injured Special Operations members. They had a pretty good turnout, although not many of the local elites showed up... thus my 7th place overall and 2nd place age group finish :) The course starts with a rolling mostly downhill first mile on asphalt, and I went through as planned right at 6:20 (6:18). The second mile plus a bit is flat and on trails that I run pretty much every day. Came through 2 miles a few seconds over my 12:40 goal (12:43, 2nd mile in 6:25), but felt fairly strong. The third mile starts on trails and heads back to asphalt and uphill to the finish. Ran the third mile in 6:35 and worked through the finish to sneak under my goal of 20 minutes with a 19:53. Good confidence boost for the mile race next week and the 8K trail race the following weekend. |