5k! Ouch. I have never run a race this close to a marathon but I figure a 5k tune up could only help. I warmed up a couple of miles then lined with with a stacked field of speedy guys, i.e. Teren, Jamal, Ben, Riley, James, Albert, Nate, Ken, Steve, Dennis, etc.
I went out behind the leaders but caught by the end of the first quarter mile. And then stupidly I even surged to take the lead for a split second and the half mile point. So when was the last time I was ahead of Teren?? Uh....that would be never and it obviously turned out to be a bad idea. Teren, Jamal, Ben went through the first mile split in ~4:55. As we turned the first corner Teren and Jamal surged ahead and then I was passed by Ken and Nate. Mile 2 was slightly downhill and the split was 4:59. Right around that point Riley went blazing by me like I was standing still and from there I just tried my best not to lose ground on Ben. He ended up pulling away slightly on the gradual incline and beat me by about 10 seconds. Mile 3 split was an awesome 5:34! Great pacing, huh? Well at least I got in a good workout and was humbled once again by the 5k. The only good thing I can say about a 5k is if you blow up 2/3rds through the race you only have 1 mile to suffer instead of 8.5. Now I am looking forward to the much more enjoyable marathon on Tuesday. After the race I cooled down with the fresh off the ship newlyweds, James and Allie, and then chatted with Albert, Riley and Ben at the post race festivities. All and all a great morning.
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