Chapter 2 page 305- TR 106 Race Recap

Today's 5K was actually 3.35 miles . . . and when "C" mentioned it to the event coordinator after we crossed the finish line, the coordinator said she knew it was a .25 miles too long.  "C" and I are familiar with the route since it's also part of the Fort 4 Fitness half marathon route - it's a shady scenic path along the river.

 the "official" map of the course

This race wasn't chip timed but our 3.35 mile time was 43:40 - based on "C's" garmin (our unofficial 5K time was 41:49-my 6th fastest 5K and faster than 7 other 5K's).  I'm not sure I believe the Garmin, but at times it said we were doing 11:30 m/m and often we were doing between 12:15-13:30 m/m . . . that was REALLY fast for me.  I sucked air like there wasn't enough on the planet.  It felt extremely challenging.  I just couldn't go any faster.  I swear I thought we were flying at different parts of the race.  I truly wanted to slow down (which we did the second half) and even encouraged "C" to go ahead of me (but she refused).  I was breathing so hard there wasn't a lot of talking coming from me - thanks "C" for handling the conversation.

After the race

It was a good race - some of the people were very friendly, the weather held out and was perfect, the course is flat and on a paved path surrounded by BEAUTIFUL flowers and trees, there were 2 water stations during the race and one at the end, post race amenities were nice - milk (choc & regular), massages (for fee), and usual snacks - fruit, granola bars, cookie, bottled water.  The cotton race shirts were nice - certainly not ugly (though, I'm not a black t-shirt fan) and we got a sports bottle at the end of the race. 

Heading to the starting line

A rainbow of "May Flower" colors - beautiful!

"C" got low to take this photo - the beautifully bold colors against the gray sky was stunning

 

I guess all the "April Showers" did indeed bring the "May Flowers"

Stunning, don't you think?

Entrance to the park - doesn't it just beg you to go for a run there?