Runners Take Your Mark!!!

First race of the new year was today. And it was my first race in a long while without my beloved Joe there with me to run. He was home sick and I was so disappointed not have him waiting for me at the finish line. Funny how a little thing like that makes a difference. Certainly I'm fine to run a 5K by myself. But it is so much more fun when someone you love is there waiting for you at the end!

And especially today...I wanted a PR in this race. I knew the course was to be flat and straight. The only unknown was the dreaded wind. At Heckscher it can be devilish indeed. Today it was not windy at all. And the temperature was a nice 44 degrees. I got there in time to warm up, I was set to do my best. And then....

The bathroom line! New runners beware...you must leave a lot of time to hit the potty before the race begins. And this morning, I had to go. Drats. (What was I thinking having cream cheese on my bagel??)

Soooooo, I wasn't warmed up as planned. I jogged to the start, and just kept going through the dense pack of runners at the start. It took maybe a half mile before I got some breathing room. Not too bad, but still. Not what I had planned.

Lola was set to keep me between a 9:00 and 9:15 pace. (Lola is the announcer in my iPhone app.) My previous best time for a 5K was 29:00. So happy to report that I came in at 28:41 by my watch. (I've yet to log in to see the official results since it has been a busy day.)

What a way to start the year, with a new PR! Now the pressure is on for sure. It is time to get back on track. Less eating. Less wine. More strength training. More discipline all around.  I was so good leading up to the marathon. I kind of fell apart for two months after it was done. No fooling around. Woe to you those 7 pounds that have reappeared.

Reward for a 5K personal record? I think a pedicure is in order....let's see how long it takes me to get around to it though....anyone want to come with me? If I make a date, it will happen!