I did something different this time and actually warmed up for 3 miles beforehand. When I went out for the first mile, I felt pretty good and had high hopes. Time was about 7:50. Between miles 1 and 2, my hopes were dashed - 2nd mile was 8:33! I don't remember when I had such a slow mile for a 5K. Finished the last mile in 7:37 but it was too late by then to recoup the time I lost. I ran as fast as I could to the finish line just to get below 25 min. and made it with a 24:55. Awful. Race in the Park: 24:24; Newington: 24:41; Solstice: 24:55. By the end of the year, I may hit a reverse PR of 30 min.!
However, I think Sri ran it over a min. slower than his usual 5K time. Brent, correct me if I'm wrong. And I believe Bob Dacey was sucking some wind as well. All of these things make me feel better, along with Brent reminding me that I just ran 35 miles a few days ago and was up the entire night. Oh yeah - forgot about that.
Lani rocked out, in my opinion. She got a 22:55, which is what I hope to get for any 5K at some point in my life! I think she won her age division. I did not place in my age division but while I was partaking in the post-race food, Lani said they called my name. I went over to ask Kelly if and why they called my name. She said I won an award and I told her that they already announced my age division awards. She said they had me classified as an Athena. So I took my giant strawberry cookie award and pondered wolfing down another cupcake (to live up to my new title). :P
