Carlisle 5k today, been waiting for this one, I would say this was my goal race for this session. I won this race in 2008 and 2009 but was 2nd in my next 2 attempts 2010 and 2011. Been a while since I ran it, but I was finally in shape to put a good performance in, so I wanted to run it. It is also my hometown race and the course I know better than any other I run, so I wanted to win this one bad. Warmup went well, lots of mosquitos though, that was annoying. Otherwise, perfect weather for this time of year--65 degrees and very light winds--
In the first mile, I was running with another kid who looked either in high school or just out of it. First mile was around 5:34, I was right on his tail waiting to make my move, at mile 1, he turned over and said "go ahead"--which was kind of surprising as I was expecting a battle. He then said "are you a Flaws?" I said "yep." with that I took off and threw the hammer down, this is how you win in carlisle, first mile is uphill, so you survive, then you break it open on the downhill + flat 2nd mile. I knew the race was over after my surge here and I executed this move perfectly to secure the lead for good. my 2nd mile was around 5:26 as I was in through 2 miles in around 11:00. Then just hung on for the last 1.1 and crossed the line in 17:14--1st place! Felt great to win this race, time was decent, but my splits (had it set to km splits) were all over the place, 3:26, 3:33, 3:25, 3:45, 3:XX.
Like I said, just very nice to win my hometown 5k--more for pride than anything, got a little trophy but this race is always about much more than that for me.
My 14-year old brother also ran and hit 20:10, a new PR for him--he is headed to 9th grade and I think that time had to impress the varsity xc coach who puts on the 5k. Very proud of him.
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