First 5K recap - Bar has been set high for myself!

So I ran my first 5K race today with my friend Jen from RedheadRunning. It was the Run for the trees 5K in Winterpark. It was a winding course through rich neighborhoods, transitioning to a dirt road going through the trees next to a lake. It was a very nice course, but I didn't really have time to admire it because I had a goal of 22:00 to meet and a certain Redhead to beat!

Before the start of the race, Jen and I were talking a little bit of trash about who was going to beat who. She ran the Boston 5K last weekend and got an awesome 22:19 finish, so I wasn't sure if I could back up my trash talk, but it's still fun to do! We dubbed the race the "Duel to the DEATH" a few times before starting :)  


Pre race shot.....

While we were waiting for the start, I met some of Jen's blogger friends. Robin from Running Circles Around the Turtles and Lauren from Bananas and Toast. I'm still a rather new running blogger, so it was cool to meet some fellow bloggers! After chatting for a bit, I downed my 2x caffeine Gu and we headed to the start.

Mile 1

7:30 rolls around and it was time to COMMENCE RUNNAGE!!! I quickly went around the slower group and established a fast pace for the first mile. My strategy was to run a sub 6:45 pace the first mile and then run 7:00 paces for the last two. Jen blew by me and was 30-40 yards ahead the whole time. I just got chicked! I finished the first mile feeling pretty good with a 6:33 pace. I believe Jen had a sub 6:30 pace.

Mile 2

Starting to feel the effects of the first mile, I slowed down to a pace between 6:45-7:00 and caught up with Jen. Unfortunately, her ankle started hurting so she had to slow it down :/ I gave her a thumbs up and concentrated on keeping my pace. Finished this mile with a 6:58 pace.

Mile 3

Most of this mile went through a dirt path through a nature preserve. It was really nice and I really wish I could have appreciated it more, but I was in the zone and my legs and body were starting to yell at me. The dirt slowed me down a bit too and I finished this mile with a 7:09 pace.

Finish

Seeing the finish line, I gave what little I had left and ran as hard as I could through the finish. Raised my hands up and let off a loud "WOOOOO" as I crossed. Did a 6:43 pace the last .1 miles. 

I was glad it was over, because I couldn't have gone much longer; heart rate hit 191, which is 99% of my max during the last .1 miles.
Final chip time: 21:41 / 6:58 pace. 

Race place: 5th/39 in age group. 47th/979 overall. Very pleased!

I waited a couple minutes for Jen and she finished with a 24:06 chip time, and also got 5th in her age group....go Jen! We waited for the other bloggers to finish and then did a 1.5 mile jog back to the starting line with Lauren. 

Before parting ways, we took a quick picture of us.... 

All in all, it was a great race. The only bad part is now I have set a high bar for myself to try to beat in the next race! Oh and Jen has already said she's coming for my time. But for now, I am the winner of the Duel to the DEATH....muhahaha!