Had a blast running this speedy 5K course. Those East High folks know how to put on a 5K with not just tons of downhill but also tailwind as well! So yes I need to make the disclaimer that despite this tying my lifetime 5K PR time, it was a VERY aided course, but it sure was fun! Yes I do love that downhill running and luckily my aging body seemed to handle it OK and I don't think I sustained any injuries. I would say this is probably worth a 19:45 time on an honest 5K course. Mile-by-mile breakdown: Mile 1 - 6:10 Felt very good this mile, it's been so long since I've run a 5K I couldn't remember how mile 1 is supposed to feel so I maybe held back a little. The only uphill of the course comes toward the end of this mile and the beginning of mile 2. Mile 2 - 6:06 Still feeling good, having fun passing all the foolish teenagers who didn't train and are now dying after running mile 1 too fast. I can see that I have a pretty good shot at sub-19. Mile 3 - 5:52 This is the ideal mile 3 for a 5K - straight, downhill, with a tailwind. Just having fun passing more teenagers (and even a few more seasoned runners) and hoping I don't hurt myself since I haven't run a sub-6 mile in a race for a long time. .1 - :37 (5:24) Race finishes on the East High track and I get in a battle with another Master runner (turns out he was 50), I pass him, he passes me, I sneak up and pass him again around the final turn but I kick too soon and he catches me again just before the finish. Dang. Oh well it made for a fun finish and kept me focused. Overall I'm happy with the race and look forward to a 10K next month.
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