The 5k and 10k events both started at the same time and ran on the same course. The 5k runners did one loop, while the 10k runners did two loops. The race started right around 9:15am with roughly 500 runners - most of them (around 375) in the 5k event.
I knew it was a fast course. It's the same course where I set my 44:01 PR in 2007.
When the gun went off, I started out a little fast to stay ahead of the masses. I counted 13 runners in front of me, and then tried to settle in at a 7min mile pace.
Mile 1: 6:56
Mile 2: 6:55
Mile 3: 6:47
Mile 4: 7:08
Mile 5: 7:21 (this one was a struggle)
Mile 6: 7:01
Final .3 miles: 1:59
(per my
GPS reading, the course was a little longer than 6.2 miles)
I took 2nd place in my age group with a finishing time of 44:07 - just 6 seconds slower than my fastest 10k. I also placed 8th overall.
It's still early, so there's plenty of time for new running PRs before this year is over. And of course, I'm guaranteed a new PR at
Ironman Arizona this year as long as I can finish the race.
