Today was the annual Lake Havasu High School cross country fund raiser which they do right before one of their races. It's at one of the local golf courses. It's fun to run on the grass, but makes the race more challanging than a normal 5k on the roads. There are lots of ups and downs and turns and a few places you have to run through some sand. I'd bet most people are about a minute slower on this course than they would be on a typical road course.
After warming up for a little less than 2 miles, the race started after getting off the line and settling in I was in 10th place. I slowly moved up and by the end of the first mile was in 6th place. It was a two lap course. At the end of the first lap there was a sharp up and down and on the down, I few into 5th. I kept pushing and very slowly caught up to the guy in 4th right about at two miles. I stayed behind him for a few paces to gather myself and then went past him with a burst of speed so he wouldn't go with me. It worked and he dropped off me quickly. I never got close to the third place guy, but just pushed myself as hard as my body would let. I finished comfortably in 4th place with no one close behind. Even though I got 4th overall, I was 3rd in the 40-45 age group. What's up with that?
Splits: 6:05, 6:28, 6:30, not sure about the last 0.1
Overall: 20:21
Considering I've done no speed or tempo work since last winter, I'm satisfied with my race.
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