Enjoying the post-race party
Catherine ran the Fairfield Half Marathon this morning, so to keep myself busy I decided to run the accompanying 5k. I have been in Ireland for a conference the past two weeks, and my running has suffered accordingly. I felt very unprepared for this 5k and not at all confident about my fitness.
Despite this, I wanted to run right around 21 minutes, or a 6:45/mi average pace. If I could run under 21 minutes, that would mean a new PR, improving over my 20:59 at the Samaritans 5k last October.
The course was totally flat, and the conditions were perfect. 70 degrees, overcast, and no wind. Plus the crowd for the 5k wasn’t that large, and I didn’t have to dodge slower runners at the beginning.
My first mile went by in 6:45, the second in 6:38, and the last 1.1 in 7:00 (6:22/mi). I have no idea what got into me for that last mile. I had felt tired at the end of mile 2, but I remember looking down at my Garmin in the middle of mile 3 and seeing 6:25 for my lap pace. What a pleasant surprise!
I am very happy with my performance in this race. I think my consistent 40-mile weeks and interval workouts the past two months are starting to pay off. Sub 20 is within reach!
Note that this was a certified 5k, so I really did run that fast!
