On a whim, I tried a new pre-race nutrition strategy. At 5am, I toasted a bagel from panera. While it was toasting, I scrambled two eggs. I buttered the bagel and put the egg on it with a little ketchup. Also, I had my standard two cups of coffee (Starbucks Sumatra). The ketchup gave me a little heartburn during my 7am warmup. I had a Gu Roctane thirty minutes before the race.
Temps were cool. Low 50's at the start. I started fast (for me) but it felt good. Both 1st and 2nd miles were 5:45. The 3rd mile is hillier and I slowed a bit. I stayed strong and did a good surge on the final hill and also a couple on the 1/2 mile decent to the finish.
This was my best 5K in 30 months and was within 9 seconds of my PR. I was hoping to break 19 minutes so this way exceeded my expectations. I'm doing something right in my training,pre-race, pacing, etc... .
It was a very competitive race with 8 runners under 17 minutes. They had over 500 men and 1700 women compete. | 