In search of old age PRs

Traditional Murray 5K for the fourth of July.  I've run the race 7 or 8 times now, so it is a great gauge of my fitness.  I'm little bummed on the short course, but not much I can do about it except run a little extra down the chute!  Started the race behind Sasha and Dennis.  After a mile, I went with Sasha and another younger runner.  Sasha put a little distance on my at the end of mile 2, but I was making up ground the last 1/2 mile of the race.  Finished 2nd Master, a few steps behind Sasha--I'm not sure how I was 8-9 seconds back of his time since I was close to him at the finish.  

Highlight of the day was my 7-year old's first 5K in 26 minutes!   

I've run this race four other times, so it was going to be a good gauge of my fitness; unfortunately, the course had to be altered due to construction.  I believe it made the course slightly longer and little more difficult, but I was still able to get a course PR when compared to the original course (old PR 17:40 2012).

I was able to read Sasha’s and Blake’s report before writing my entry.  Sasha was able to win the Master division by edging me out by three seconds.  Blake also out kicked me in the end (Sasha was able to go with him), but both pulled me along to help me get a course PR.

Garmin Mile 1: 5:31.  Ran next to Sasha with two high school runners in front of us (one was Blake).

Garmin Mile 2: 5:20.  We lost one of the high school runners, but Blake was still setting the pace.

Garmin Mile 3: 5:40.  Blake and Sasha turned into driveway before the trail, but recovered quickly just missing one or two steps.  We were three wide at this point, but I settled back to rear. 

Garmin Mile 0.14: :48.  Blake began to fall off the pace a little, but seeing his Coach inspired a kick about 1/8 mile out.  Sasha matched him for a short distance, but I did not go and this cost me the race. 

Total Garmin Distance 3:14 (official time 17:17).  The awards ceremony took forever to start and they did not have any of the prize money (will be mailed out), but it was still a very fun and competitive race.  I’m looking forward to the longer races like the TOU ½ and full.