Race for the ROC 5K

I never do race reports, but, well, here we go...I go on and on and on...<br><br>
I'm currently following HH's Novice Half-Marathon schedule. This weekend called for a 10k. Since I couldn't find one locally, I decided to go for a 5k in my hometown instead...that's called flexing the schedule, I believe.<br><br>
Saratoga Springs is known for horse racing, so it was cool that they had arranged a 5k through the race track and grounds...not to mention super cool that it would be all flat! I figured that would give me a better chance at a new PR, though I don't race very often (I think my last race was sometime last March) and I rather hate the internal pressure that comes with it.<br><br>
However, I <b>should</b> consider racing more often as it's like getting a colonic! I had my coffee and water and nerves, the perfect combination for a cleansing...I got to the track early to register and check out the competition (as it were), it was a nice 50-something degrees, blue sky, etc, etc. Not a hugely competitive event by any means.<br><br>
So, anyhow, my 5K PR from earlier this year is 27:52. The first mile, I am thinking, "I should stop. Why run? I should just walk home and write this off." Seriously. I'm my biggest motivator...I'm also <b>wheezing</b>, which is never a good sign first mile in.<br><br>
But...first mile...<b>8:34?!?!?!</b> I'm some kind of speed demon! I'm pleased with my time, and immediately feel myself slow down. Methinks I need to practice some sustained speed...I hit the second mile at <b>17:42</b>, (8:48 pace) so I've already lost some ground.<br><br>
The final mile, I can feel how heavy my body is and focus on keeping good posture and maintaining consistent turnover pace...but I'm getting passed by a lot of people. Boo hiss! Too bad I didn't take the opportunity to check out the stables and backstretch view of the racetrack while I was at it. Might as well have.<br><br>
I definitely think the strides I end all my runs with definitely are working out, as I see the finish line, kick it in with grunts and all, passing two people right at the finish line for a <b>27:54</b>. Hmph. Two seconds from my PR! If I had only started that kick a few seconds sooner.<br><br>
Definitely useful race for lessons learned:<br><b>First</b>, I <b>am</b> capable of running an 8:34 mile. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/hello2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hello1"> It's not entirely impossible that I could do it again sometime...So that's something.<br><br><b>Second</b>, maybe someday soon I'll be ready to up my training to include some speedwork, so that I might do that pace two miles in a row!<br><br><b>Third</b>, well, I don't really have a third. Just bits and pieces of things to think about, like my self-defeating mental attitude which certainly contributes to my slowdown, the fact that my head was tingling during the third mile, which means I hadn't given up entirely (that's the precursor to nausea for me), that I need someone I know to compete with to keep up that <i>je ne sais quoi</i> during a race that helps me care that the multitudes are passing me.<br><br>
A lot out of a tiny little <b>5k</b>. But I enjoyed the lessons...and now I'm off to enjoy the day or take a nap or something.<br><br>
Thanks for listening!