My first race as a Virginian. There are only 2 races a year in the town I live in, so I drove an hour west to Lynchburg, VA. I have three nice sized running communities near me, all about an hour away to the North (Charlottesville), East (Richmond), and West (Lynchburg). So finding races shouldn't be a problem, but I will likely be on my own for training (not my strong suit). Things have been crazy with moving and other things that are going on, so let's just say I was verrrrry tapered for this run. I was nervous about the distance (I can't believe I get nervous about a 5 mile race these days!). I have only run 5 miles in the last two weeks total, so I didn't know how my legs would do. Miles: 6:55, 7:07, 7:02, 7:02, 7:01 I had planned on going out slow and pushing the second half, figuring that would help me enjoy the race better being out of shape. But I went out and my competitiveness didn't let me hold back. I got in a group with two other girls who knew each other and asked if they minded if I paced with them for a while. I felt good going out and the pace felt good. I knew right away that I still have my speed, but it's no secret that I have no endurance right now. One of the girls asked us to slow down the 2nd mile, and we did, but then left her to drop back closer to 7 minute miles. Me and the girl I was still with were in 4th and 5th and could see the next two girls ahead of us. I definitely felt the distance and had nothing left the last mile. I couldn't catch anyone but the girl I was with moved up to third. I am extremely happy with my time and look forward to racing these girls again. I have learned that my favorite part of running is the competition- with myself, others, and the clock. I was hoping this race would remind me how it feels to compete and get me to train so I can run faster times. It did, and I plan on having some rebuttal races against the first place girl (she ran 33:54, I know I can do that if I train some). Cheers to Virginia running!
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