Notes
Tune up workout! Haven't done that in ages. My plan was to get on the nearby middle school concrete track. And by nearby I mean closer than the high school but still 3.5miles. And since I didn't feel like driving and parking or carrying my flats that long, I was just going to do this in my lightweight trainers.
That is, until I got to the track and no gates were open (though, kindly, a porta-potty outside the fence). On a weekend I would have jumped the short fence, but not today with school in session (and what appeared to be a gym class potentially coming my way).
Now that I wasn't using the track, my warm-up left me where it wasn't flat and with the wind in my face. Anyway, today's workout was fast -> slow. 2 strides to start, then 1/2mile @ 5min pace with a good amount into the wind.
Next was a mile at 8k race pace. It was still mostly into the wind but the downhill more than made up for it and I finished in an inconsistent 5:14 (due to a lot of downhill 5min pace and some flat-and-into-the-wind near 6min pace).
Lastly was just a mile at tempo, all into the wind and slightly uphill, still a surprised 6:03.
I believe the strength and speed are in my legs, just not sure about some muscle stiffness loosening up (plus a slight side-ache randomly coming on). I'm now wishing I had done some time trial before this race.