Last Friday afternoon on my way home from Iowa City, I debated whether or not I should run the 3rd annual 4H 5K that was set to take place at 6:00PM that evening. I had a lot on my to-do list for Saturday's Relay For Life and had all but talked myself out of it.
But then, at approximately 5:27 (still in the car on my way home mind you) I thought to heck with it and decided to run. I ran home, threw on some running gear, grabbed my shoes, hustled out the door and headed to the fairgrounds.
I registered with just enough time to spare to tie my shoes, get in a mediocre stretch, and chat with a guy that is in my Wednesday night spin class.
The course was fun, although I was hesitant about it at first. We weaved through the fairgrounds and actually ran through 4 different barns before heading out on the highway for a quick out and back. Running through the barns was funny - the committee had recordings of different animals and were playing those. Pigs, cows, sheep...you get the picture.
I started out at the back of the pack - about 50 runners maybe? And quickly picked a few off. With 1.5 miles left, I noted two girls ahead of me and set out to catch them. It was fairly easy to catch one, and with a gradual hill looming, I was certain I could pick off the other.
Didn't happen. But I am 90% certain she is a college cross country/track athlete - so I wasn't too bummed. Plus, yeah - pretty sure I just ran a marathon and running this 5K wasn't probably the best idea anyway.
Stats::
Total distance - 3.18 miles
Total time - 23:22.60
Average pace - 7:21
Mile 1 - 7:18
Mile 2 - 7:03
Mile 3 - 7:38 (hips.on.fire!)
spare change - 7:31
Third overall finisher
2nd female finisher
1st in age group
