5K Race Report--- A New PR!

This morning I ran in the R-3 (it's a local running store) Anniversary 5-K Run. As I said the other day, one year ago, it was the first race I ever ran.

I knew I needed to remain between 8:45 and 9:15/pace per mile to meet my goal of sub-29. Maintaining 8:45 is a big stretch for me, but I always start out too fast, and I planned to NOT let myself go faster than that in the first mile. It was nice to have a range to stay in.

The gun went off, and I took off. My friend was there and we started together (in matching pink shirt/black shorts outfits no less, not planned). She's typically a little faster than me, but I hoped to stay with her most of the race. I looked down..... 8:30 pace. Uh-oh. Too fast. I forced myself to slow down and got down to about 8:35. I knew I'd pay for this later, so I finally made myself slow to about a 9:00 minute pace. End of first mile-- 8:57. I had passed "my twin," but she was hanging in right behind me. I could hear her about 1 or 2 steps back. I'm not an overly competitive person, but I found myself thinking, "What if....?"

In the second mile, I planned to walk through the water stop at 1.6. Knowing I could walk for a few seconds helped me to maintain my pace goal, even to speed up a little to make up in advance for the lost time at the walking stop. My twin and I both stopped to walk and drink. Then she took off. I still needed a bit more time to drink/walk, so I let her go. She got an 6-8 second head start. For the rest of that mile, I tried to catch her! At least it gave me something to do.
(Unbeknownst to both of us, there was another girl in a pink shirt trying to keep up with us!) Mile two with water stop was 9:10.

Mile three was all about hills. It started with a long gradual incline that just wore me down. During the incline, I caught up to and passed my twin! But I may have expended a bit much energy. I slowed down some and finally agreed with my body when it said, "Hey, You, I need another walk break. Then I promise I'll finish strong." I took a 10 or 15 second walk break and she passed me. So, I was again chasing my twin until about the 2.5 mark.

At this point, I was feeling nauseous. This hasn't happened before. I knew I was truly running my hardest (and that perhaps I had eaten too much breakfast!). I just breathed in through my nose and tried not to think of the possibility of throwing up. I now had three goals: to make my finish goal time; to catch up to and pass my twin; and NOT to vomit.

Coming upon another hill, a fairly steep one, I told myself (really LIED to myself), "I'm strong on hills. Maybe I'll be able to pass her then." And. I. Did. Woot, woot! Mile 3 with that very brief walk break was 9:19----outside of my range, but I knew I had extra time from mile 1.

Finally, I could see the finish. I did NOT want to play "cat and mouse" with my twin anymore. I knew I could sprint the rest of the way. Did I mention it was down hill?? I looked at the finish clock---28:18 or something. I realized I could make it under 28:30! The last .11 was an 8:39 pace, but the final kick was 6:38 according to my Garmin. I saw 28:22 on the clock as I passed underneath, but the "official" finish time was 28:24.

I GOT SECOND IN MY AGE GROUP!! (35-39)

It was a good day. And I managed not to throw up. I felt it would be rude. :-)

My twin was in the 30-34 age group and got 3rd among those young 'uns. I think we both probably owe one another thanks for the motivation. It kind of felt like a race of two.