Our local running store is sponsoring an ultra in one of the local parks this weekend - a 6/12/24 hour race.  To kick it off, they held a 5k on the same course.  I haven't done a 5k since I started running again, post stress fx, and I was curious to know whether my speed/fitness is back, so I decided to run the race this morning to find out.  I didn't expect there to be many people, since this is an inaugural race and there are at least two other races not far away today, but it turned out that a large group, also sponsored and mentored by the running store, had just finished the couch to 5k program so they were all running the 5k as a graduation of sorts.  That made me happy on two fronts:  I wasn't going to be running alone, and chances were I wasn't going to be last.  There were still only about 40 people running the 5k, but that was enough.  The group was mixed, with a few really fast runners from the local running club, several middle of the pack regulars I've seen at previous races, the group of new runners, and several kids running with their parents.  Some of them were really fast!

Last week was quite warm (88 and humid) but a cold front went through yesterday, dropping temperatures and creating a brisk wind.  It was 45 degrees with 15 mile winds when the race started.  I had done a one mile slow warmup, so I was happy to take off my jacket, but a few of the runners kept on their warm clothes -- only to drop them later along the course.  We had ankle chips, a first for me.  All the races I've done before just had tear off bibs, so I had to ask what to do with the strap.  I wasn't the only one.  The course is a paved loop trail through the park, past picnic pavilions, a dog park and several soccer fields -- all out in the open.  (I'm sure the ultra runners were happy for the cooler temps as there is no shade anywhere along the course.)  It's a park where we walk the dog fairly often, though I've only run there once.  We climbed one hill that was about 62' over half a mile - not steep but noticeable.  The wind was in my face the whole way up the hill, of course.  The upside to that was I had the wind at my back on the long downhill back to the starting line.  I felt like I was flying.  Then we looped around and got to do it again.  I was passed by the frontrunners coming the other way as I turned to go up the hill the second time, then I got to wave at some of the slower runners when I reached the junction on my way down.  I ran most of the race by myself.  I had passed several people in the beginning and on the first hill and was passed by a few, but after the first 1/2 mile we spread out and I had the path mostly to myself.  A mother and son were just ahead and the boy and I played leapfrog.  He'd race ahead, then stop to breathe, then race ahead whenever I caught up.  I think he didn't want to get passed by the old lady ;-)

My strategy was my usual:  head out as hard as I thought I could hold, so that I was breathing hard the whole way, but not breathless.  When I caught myself feeling too comfortable, I'd speed up.  It worked.  My previous 5ks were 30:12 and 28:08.  Today, after almost 7 months of running post injury, I ran 27:06.  I might have beaten 27:00 if I hadn't had to tie a shoe half way.

Splits were 8:39, 8:43 and 8:40, with 8:37 for the last .12, (average of 8:41) so remarkably even.  I didn't look at my watch at all while I was running, because I wanted to run by feel, not by computer, and that seems to have worked.

After the race they had water, coffee, fruit and donuts.  The fruit tasted really good, as we stood around cheering in the other runners.  I spent a few minutes talking to a woman doing the 24 hour race about her strategy, food, etc.  then headed out to the woods for a short hike with my husband and the dog, who had both been waiting patiently for me to finish.  It was a good morning.

All in all, it was a good event.  The course is fun to run, as long as it isn't too hot and the group was enthusiastic.

Running by feel was a real help to me too - sometimes in a 5k, you can psyche yourself out!   So it sounds like that was  PR for you?   Great job!

Well done, Ginny. It has been cool watching you improve! Next time, leave your shoe alone!

Congrats on the huge PR, especially after your injury!

Congratulations!

Congrats Ginny on the PR! Your splits are really good.

Enjoyed the RR, sounds like a great race and congrats on the PR.

Honey child you need to learn how to tie the reef knot pronto!

Congrats on your first race back!  Seems it's been forever since you first posted your issue on the BF, but now here you are back and better than ever!