Silks and Satins 5K

Darlene and me before the race

It is easily the most humid day we have had in awhile!  But I got up and raced so hurrah for me!

I was up before 4 and on the road by 5.  I had to drive slightly more than 2 hours but I am okay with a road trip to race and meet a new friend!  I know the way well from the years my kids were on the swim team and we had many many meets at RPI.  However there was a detour and in the thick fog it did throw me for a bit.  I did fine until I got to Saratoga and missed the turn for the race.  Once I realized it and found my way back I turned to the right where many cars were going.  It made sense to me that these cars would be going to the race. Well they were BUT they were going to the HORSE races.  The very nice man directing traffic, held traffic up for me to back up, turn around and cross to the left where I should have gone in the first place. If only all people parking cars were so sweet.

It took me awhile to park my car, get my number and chip and find Darlene.  I barely had time for a port a pottie stop before the race started.  I prefer to enter a race a little more relaxed but oh well.  Darlene and I found a spot somewhat near the front and the race started.

Like I said when I started the post, MAN IT WAS HOT!  I had been told this was a flat course though and I wanted to do well.  It was only 3.1 miles compared to the 8 I ran last weekend.  Trouble is there doesn't seem to be any easy distance.  My first mile was 8:19.  Alright!  That gave me some wiggle room .  I was trying to do the same thing I did last weekend where I consciously picked  up the pace and continued at that pace as I counted breaths slowly to 100.  I really feel like this helps and want to keep trying it. I can settle into a pace pretty easily and be content. This forces me to pick it up for at least awhile.  The second mile seemed really long and I couldn't believe we hadn't come to the mile marker yet. There was still a crowd of people around me, it never thinned out too much.  My second and third miles were 8:42. Again, I was fine with this.  I tried to push it for the final tenth. I could see that the clock was on 26 and I wanted to keep it there so I picked it up.  My pace was 7:31. Oh if I could only see that for farther than a tenth!! I ended up at 26:43 which was better than any other 5K I have done in 2010! My overall pace was 8:36 which I am thrilled with.  I felt beet beet red when I finished!  I looked around for Darlene but missed her coming in.

I'm done and exceedingly hot!!!

We finally met up, via cell phones!   We hung around watching the horses practice on the practice track.  We chatted about racing and wishing we had more friends to run with and race with. Darlene just started running two years ago!!  I loved meeting her and am sure I will be racing with her again!

Watching the horses on the track

Watching the horses on the track

Stats:  I was 6/25 in my age group and 383/881.  I'll take that!