Short story: 27:15, 8:47/mile, 2/4 in AG, 59/138 OA Details: This starts out about like my last report. I was overdue for a chance to see my local running friends and I needed a race in June to maintain my streak of at least one run in each calendar month that goes back something like four and a half years. Due to the fact that my hamstring is still not quite right ( I do think it's improving and I don't want to backslide) I chose the 5K rather than the 10K and planned to not push the pace. I figured that I'd be tickled with a 9 minute pace but didn't think of it as a goal as I planned to back off if I felt uncomfortable. I've done this race several times, but not for a few years. It's scenic, on a paved trail along the Saginaw River. I was able to visit with about a dozen of my friends before and after the race so that part was great. The temperature was probably in the low to mid 70s, overcast, and humid. One of the plusses of the race is that the starts of 10K, 5K, and 5K walk were staggered to relieve the congestion at the start and avoid having walkers ahead of runners. With the somewhat narrow paved trail, I started towards the back, which is where I belong, but also looked at it as a good thing as I couldn't pass many people at the start even if I could and wanted to. I figured it would force me to a slow start. Since my GPS died the other day, I couldn't monitor my pace like I often do. I just had a regular stopwatch and hoped the miles were marked and marked accurately. I started at a pace that felt comfortable and didn't feel any hamstring discomfort. As the opportunity presented itself, I would pass another runner or two. At the one mile mark, my watch was just at 9 minutes. At the turn around, it appeared that my pace was about the same. At two miles, it looked like I may have gained a few seconds but felt good. After the turn and especially in the third mile, I was passing quite a few people and wasn't being passed myself. At the three mile mark, it looked like I'd gained a few more seconds. In the last tenth, I was passed by a young gal who I'd passed just a few seconds earlier. She saw the finish and had a big kick and flew by me. I talked to her afterwards and complimented her on her fast finish. The weather was pleasant for visiting after the race and the organizers had things set up nicely. One of the plusses was the hospital was giving out free bicycle helmets. Since I ride my bike to town most nice days to get the paper, I thought that would be a good thing to have and wear on my short but frequent rides. After I got home, I checked my mile splits and found 9:00, 8:50, 8:35, and :49 or 8:10 pace for the last tenth. I still don't feel and twinges, I liked the way my mile times dropped, and I saw a lot of my friends so all is good. TomS

Tom, Good job, you ran well within yourself, and showed a strong finish too. Yes, its all good. huskydon

Nice job Tom, The streak is intact and the hammie behaved itself. Hope this is the beginning of a good racing season for you. Larry

Nice race...... good strategy for not going out too fast and you ended with some fast paced miles! Jim

Great Race...Your pacing was excellent...It's also nice to see your friends too Congrats...

Super racing and way to keep up the streak. I am thinking that whenever you show up at a race, you have a huge group of friends right there----your kindness always come through your reports. Nice way to bring each mile down, enjoy a race and the spirit of the group. Sweet deal on the bike helmets too. Thanks for sharing this. Karin/CNYrunner

Your race reports are always a joy to read Tom. Thanks!!!!

As one who runs with a watch, I was thinking that to run without one and to be able to have paced yourself so nicely with negative splits, is a very nice accomplishment. You certainly handled the race well and safely got to run with your friends again. Thanks for a nice race report and congratulations. I hope the injury does not show its' face again. Joey