New PR!!!!! Before last week I hadn't even gone under 20, so this was a really big race for me! I think my new goal is to go under 19 by the end of the year, which will be really tough. I can't believe it's even a possibility.
It was a pretty nice day; overcast, light wind and 56 degrees. I thought there was a chance the wind could be a problem. For a warm up I did part of the course and realized it was rolling hills. I didn't think I'd even go under 20 because of the hills and light wind. The hills ended up being pretty awesome, the uphill was a little tough (especially the last one) but they were always followed by a downhill. I kept glancing at my watch, and during the uphill I was abloe to keep 6:30 pace for the most part. I really loved the course and for the most part felt really strong. I think I prefer rolling hills to a flat course.
So when we started I planned to run around 6:10-6:15 for the first mile, and then hold it as long as I could. I also wanted to keep first place in sight. Two girls started off faster than me, but I was able to pass them within about the first mile. They were young, and will be very talented in a few years (not that they aren't already).
Mile splits: 6:13, 6:07, 6:14
My "bests" were 5:17 during the first and second miles, 5:24 during the third mile, and 4:52 during my downhill sprint to the finish. That's kind of neat to see because it shows I used the downhill. I liked the downhill finish, it made me feel strong, and it was great seeing Jason's smiling face at the finish line because he knew I ran way faster than I expected. I gave him a high five as I crossed the line.
When they announced my time during the awards ceremony the director said "Kelsey from Tallahassee, Florida... you know she's not from around here if she's running a time like that." That made me feel fast :)
My friends Matt, Jeff, and Scott ran as well, and all did awesome! It was fun running with different people, and we got to see each other a couple times on the course due to the little loops and turn arounds.
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