Race Report: Publix 5K

Previous PR: 22:36 (11/4/18)
Goals: um, I didn't really have any. Thought breaking 23:00 would be a great day, and anything under 24 would be a good one
Result: 23:40


Training:
This was technically a 12-week 5K plan that I made up myself, though, after I PRed at my time trial on week 8, I haven't exactly been true to the plan. I don't think I've had a tempo run since the time trial (I had them weekly going into it, which made a HUGE difference). I've done some pickups and some hills, but, really, I can't say I've been in-training for the last four weeks. I got my PR, and then just went through the motions to finish out the cycle.

Pre-Race:
Thoughts from the Night Before the Race


Race:
I kind of half-assed a warm-up (which literally served as a warm-up, because I needed to not freeze after I took my extra clothes off), and found my way to the start corral a few minutes before the gun went off. I didn't really think about pacing. Just ran however fast I felt like, dodging all the people who really shouldn't have been in Wave 1 (or, at least not as far up in that wave). 

Mile 1 was hillier than expected, but I knocked it out in 7:10. 

I definitely couldn't sustain the pace thought, and I knew it. I wasn't here to PR today, and I let myself just enjoy the course, making sure to put a solid effort in, but more of a tempo run pace than an actual race.

Mile 2- 7:52 Yeah, definitely just running to run now. There were SO MANY hills on this course that I was glad not to be going for a PR. While the net elevation gain was only about 26', that's a deceptive stat. 

Mile 3- 7:53. At least I'm consistent?

Last 0.1-- 6:04/mi pace. Still had a kick.

Reflections:

• I had exactly the sort of race I wanted to have today. After several days celebrating the running community by volunteering at the Olympic Trials and kids race, I got to participate in the sport I love so much. Today, I was grateful to be healthy and happy just to be out there. 
• I'm totally not in the right mindset to jump into mile training right now, and am also glad to have a couple months "off" before that starts up.
• Yay, Atlanta Track Club