I planned on taking this race way easier, but it was just too easy to get swept into the excitement. The top 300 runners (of 12,000?) got VIP treatment at the starting line, and I was one of them! It made me feel so important, and I just couldn't go out there and run 7 minute miles or more like my original plan. So I went out and actually ran a pretty tough race. Mile 1 felt okay, then miles 2-4.5 or so my calves started burning really bad. I even thought a couple times "what if I can't finish." I really wish I could figure out what was wrong with them. Maybe I need to get a massage and get them worked on? I actually think I had this problem once in college, I'll explain at a later date. Once my calves started feeling better I was able to pick it up a little bit and get comfortable with the pace. The only major hill was when we ran across the bridge around mile 8-8.5. It slowed me up a little but I passed people, and then I flew down the other side of the bridge and in to the finish. I passed four or five girls at this point. I was shocked at my endurance; my major concern going into the race was the distance. But if my calves felt better I may have been able to PR, even though it was a tougher course. For my next race (a 10k) I think I am going to warm up a lot and hope I get all of the pain out during my warm up. It was really fun running through Jacksonville. When we ran through some of the neighborhoods everyone was in their front yard tailgating with mimosas and tons of food, cheering all of us on (our names were on our numbers). There were a lot of bands and entertainment along the course. The course would have been cooler if we could see anything... it was realllly foggy the whole time. I highly recommend this event. It was very organized, and if you can get into the top 300 seeds it is really exciting at the start! I received a hat that says "top 10% finisher." 5k splits: 21:15 21:32 20:56 An extra special thanks to Becky (and Dallas of course) for letting me stay in their beauuuutiful beach front condo :)
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