I only run on days that end in a "y."

Great morning - 40's to start, but dark.   It was hard getting into the right pace at the beginning, really the first 2 miles.  Not sure if it was the dark or what.  I kinda of ran out of time before the race and got to the start with like 2 minutes to go. I started my warmup too late. :-)  I got back to the annex with 7 minutes to change shoes, put on my timing chip, and find my music.  I was rushed to say the least.  I was able to squeeze in the front but was 6 rows behind the very front – not good.  1 minute to go at this point.  Normally I like to be standing here already and thinking about the race and my strategy.  No time for that today.

I had to dodge quite a few people in the first 50 m but then got out on my own.  I passed a few runners all the way until the turn around, and then picked off a few more as I picked up the pace, especially on that last mile. It was a big boost to be able to zero in on runners in front of me and reel them in.  I could not hit the right pace on the first mile and had to keep speeding up.  I would look at my watch and it was a 6:00 pace so I would pick it up to get to 5:40's.  I was running very relaxed though and wasn't struggling.  It's unfortunate that I wasn't able to take advantage of the nice decline going down 1st street.  To think I hit a 5:37 coming back up that street with a steady incline tells me I have enough to run those first miles faster.  I was trying to make up as much time as possible but there is only so much I could do.  

I think it I would have been able to hit 5:45 on the first mile I would have had a much better chance at breaking 18:00.  However, I feel confident it is coming with some more races and experience under my belt.  It is only a matter of time at this point.

For the record I think the race cheated me 3 seconds – my chip time and start time are the same – I don't think this could be true since I started back a bit and my watch reads 18:05! Oh well, I can't complain.

I won the masters division – got a nice Soleus running watch, certificate and medal, so that is pretty cool.  I was told the guy I beat out was the runner I passed on the last quarter mile.

Splits:  5:53, 5:52, 5:37, .14 @ 4:57.  Would like to work on my kick – I tried to sprint the last bit and didn't have it in my legs.

Per watch – 18:05 for 3.14 miles.   Odd - race results below show 5:47 average, my Garmin says 5:45 average.

00:18:08

00:18:08

3492

David

Schwalm

Austin

TX

Gazelle 5K Masters

1

10

44

78759

10

5:47/M

1079

468

34

I think I have a good baseline to work from now.  On to the next race!  (I kind of like this compared to marathons where the chance only comes every 4 - 6 months.)