This was a much smaller race than I was hoping for but it was well organized. I chose the 5k even though a 10k was also offered. The heat and humidity was awful a couple hours BEFORE the start so I knew it would be tough.
I started near the front for the start as we ran maybe twenty yards before turning south through town. Why do some races begin with these immediate turns? It makes it really difficult at the start of a race. I felt good from the beginning but wasn't sure what I would have in me. The sun was just beating down on us. We began weaving around town in a counter-clockwise loop about a half mile into the race. I was in second place, though I wasn't sure if the leader was in the 5k (he was). The first mile came in a blistering 6:14. I knew this was too fast and there was no way to keep up that pace. The second mile was more my speed as we continued back to Main Street. We did get to run around Seltzer Park which offered a tiny bit of shade. Another runner passed me near the end of the second mile and he looked like he had plenty in the tank. The 10k runners broke off here and I could see the two in front of me were both in my race. A quick look behind me showed nobody close so I pulled off the gas slightly. I was already beat! The second mile came in at 6:44 so I was still running a respectable pace.
There's not much to say about the final leg of the race. The second runner was well ahead of me and I kept well ahead of the next group. I kept a slightly slower pace as there was no point in killing myself. We headed back to downtown and made a quick turn for the finish. The last mile was 7:00 with an overall time of 20:28. That was good enough for 3/57 overall. Not a bad showing and I'm now in a lull between races.
Next race: Ontario Liberty 5k- Ontario, OH
