Race Report: Run for the Trees 5K

I completed my 3rd 5k today. It started at 7:30 a.m. and it was a very warm and humid morning (probably due to the rain last night/early this morning). It was even warm when I left the house around 6:30 a.m. (usually I have to wear long pants/jacket until I get to race because its chilly when I leave the house, but not today). Needless to say, I did not meet my goal of finishing in under 40 minutes and it actually took me an extra minute than the previous race. In all fairness, I think this was a harder course than Disney. The last half mile or so was on a hard-packed sand road with a brick road for the last .2 miles or so.

I ran the entire first mile, then took a walking break for about 1.5 minutes. I ran another 1/2 mile or so to the water stop, walked for another minute or so to drink some water and throw some in my face, then started running again until the 2-mile marker. The last mile was rough and I kept having to stop. I think I started off too fast and didn't have much left at the end. (I finished the first mile in 13 minutes (well, the 1st mile by my watch--about 14 minutes to the first mile marker--my watch calculated a total of 3.17 miles). I also think that since I had already given myself permission to walk I didn't feel pressured to push myself (that and it was just me this time so I didn't feel that competitive). Even though I finished strong, I didn't sprint nearly as much as I did last time, but the heat was really getting to me (and since it was already past 40 minutes I didn't feel like killing myself for a few minutes). At least I didn't feel sick when I stopped. I just kept drinking water.

Yes, I am a tad disappointed but it was a good race and is only a frakin' minute so I'm over it. The important thing is that I am out there doing this and I completed another 5k! Oh and I supposed to get a tree, but they were out by the time I got done eating (I didn't want to carry it around). Oh well, given my very brown thumb, the tree is probably in better hands.

I've really been thinking about and researching training programs for a 1/2 marathon early next year. I know I am crazy, but this running thing truly is addictive. I have no idea how on earth I am going to manage 13.1 miles, but every time I hear about one of these races I want to experience it. Running for that long might suck and be boring as hell, but I know I'll feel amazing when I cross that finish line -- even if Jason has to carry me to the car afterwards :)

Stats:
Distance - 5K
Chip Time - 42:57 (Clock - 43:30)
Pace - 13:49 minutes/mile
Overall Place - 1144 / 1344
Gender Place - 602 / 761
Division Place - 93 / 108