I got up around 5:30 for this 7:00 race. I woke up a dozen or so times overnight in anticipation. I don't know why I get so amped up for a local 5k. I had some toast and milk, and ran a couple miles for warmup. Then I got my boys up, and we headed over. Conditions were unbelievable for the 4th; light breeze and 60 degrees. I lined up at the front of the crowded start. Bang. Mile 1 has most of the hill stuff. I was in about 40th place rounding the corner to head up. By the end of it I had settled into 22nd. Mile 1 split was 6:30. Over the last 2 miles I passed another couple people, and got passed in the last .4 miles. I never looked at my watch for times, just pace. I knew I hadn't slowed down, and I felt okay, but wasn't going to check my time and slow down. When I rounded the final corner with a few hundred yards to go, I saw 18:50, so I knew I had a big PR in the bag, but not a chance at getting my goal for a finish in the 18's. I pushed through the finish, feeling very spent and a bit dizzy. Sure enough, I puked twice in the chute. Mile 1: 6:32, Mile 2: 6:13, Mile 3: 6:09, .1: :24 sec (4 min pace? can that be right?) My boys came in strong, Max under 24:00 and Jens under 26:00. I guess I need to find a smaller race so I can at least get an age division award. Or I guess I could put in more hard work and effort. After the race we had our street-wide breakfast and watched a snoozer of a parade. The girls got lots of gross taffy. This is a great way to start the 4th weekend.
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