Notes
http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=SC16006DW <--- SUCK IT, JRT!!!
Race the Landing 5k on a whim! Didn't even have running clothes with me at work today since I thought I had to get back to Basil, but then Jacquie texted late in the afternoon saying she didn't have work and would keep him for the night. Even then I totally forgot about this until I was driving home... Got back a little past 5, checked traffic to see if I'd have a chance of making it by 6 when park gates close, threw some stuff in a bag and booked it out of there. Got there with about 10min to spare but had plenty of time to register, warm up, etc.
What a course, and what an awesome area! Really beautiful and interesting stuff. Course was a mix of closed road and paved path through the park. I've wanted to do one of these for a while but DIHH5k was always way more convenient... wish I had made the switch sooner! Registration came with a meal afterwards too. Race was really well put-together and even with a decent gap to 2nd I felt way more comfortable being there compared to some of the other races I've done lately... tonight was definitely racing for racing's sake.
So yeah watch read short but I'm inclined to believe it was a 5k if for no other reason than I seriously doubt I ran slower than the Moms' Run, but the USATF cert is reassuring nonetheless. According to their mile splits I ran 5:17, 5:20, 5:33, 37... definitely felt faster than what my watch was telling me on mile 1 so was relieved to get to the marker under 5:20, but either way I definitely slowed down and I knew it then too. ~75 or so didn't seem too threatening beforehand but it got warm out there! Definitely let up a bit on the 3rd mile but really doubt I could have mustered more than a couple seconds if I had someone there pushing, but who knows. Ended up 1.5min up on 2nd (woman but she's def legit)... whether that's good (ez win) or bad (no help) I don't have a strong opinion on tonight since I'm satisfied enough with the time. Thought sub 17 would be a good mark so I can't complain.
Relaxed WU and CD. Warm-up felt pretty ishy but that's not unusual even for good races so shook it off.