Notes
It has been four years since I have raced my favorite track distance on the track. I've missed it. This was such a good race! We all got out slow, which is a blessing, and then I just hung on the back of the pack through two miles feeling great, but when I can through 3200 in 10 I was thinking, 'I'm on track for a 5k PR.' I'm not opposed to setting PRs within a race, but it can be difficult to do that and still finish the race. So I backed off a bit. Thus I ended up running alone until about 8k when a few people from behind caught up and the leaders lapped me. So I ran with them to the finish and closed well. It was strange when I was getting lapped by the top three. They were all breathing harder than I. That is extremely rare. I am a breathing machine. I always breathe the hardest, so I felt in that moment that I was not trying as hard as I should be. You can see I ran better from 8-10k than 6-8k. It is amazing how in a moment of utter celebration I can find imperfections. I PR'd by 46 seconds! It was also my second fastest 5k, by a mere 5 seconds. The race was just fantastic! Perfect conditions, 45 and no wind. We ran under the lights. I was also getting a few cheers from some of the Loras people.
The goal is complete. I went back to the track to PR in the 5k and 10k this season, and I did. 19 seconds in the 5k and 46 in the 10k. In fact according to V02max and purdy, that is my best race ever! I feel there is still a lot more development that I can accomplish. None of my 2012 PRs feel career culminating. It has been a great season! Just a steeplechase left to go then it's back to the roads!
I also tried out the pantyhose socks for the first time, they work perfect! I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out! They cost $0.59 at Walgreens and are worth every penny to protect my feet from chaffing. Good race, good run. I talked to some of the college kids before and after the race and I cooled down with a couple of the post-collegiate guys. I like how the world of distance running is so small. Everyone knows everyone. I am in absolutely the right sport!