Lull after Sunday 5K (Sept 17)

Not willed, but unavoidable. Now Wednesday, and I'm so keen to go out I'll run home tonight after the late class. It'll be dark, but I have the rail trial (no cars) and a flashlight for after that. It's just over 11 miles, according to googleearth; hopefully it won't be a bridge too far for mid week -- I'll see. But two long nights in the office have been enough; gotta get out there!

Had a great run on Sunday, even if short: Mt Holyoke Summit Run, 5K and 800 ft upwards. Off to Mitch's Marina by 8:45 or so (feeling bit better prepared that morning), and when I'd parked in the designated field and got my number, Mark turned up. We went off for a mile or so warmup, about 10 minutes gently. The race started at 9:30: we were led by a police car down the road, past the regular entrance turnoff, all the way to the trail that doubles back and then joins the road up the hill. So the first mile and a half were almost flat. I started under pretty tight control, not rushing but not going too easy. Somewhere between 9 and almost 10 mph kept me in the thinner ranks up front. I figured I'd overtake while I could, gently still, and wait to get burned on the hill.

The hill was tough, for sure. But most everyone else felt it too. I managed a couple more places, had a tussle with one guy who caught me then started walking (we weren't going very fast, but I think he's burnt out catching up), and in the last stages I did similar to the guy who was ahead of me: caught him, passed him for a few dozen yards, then faded, and he went past to keep his 6th place a bit ahead of me. Came in 7th (out of 90 or so), in slow 5K time but good enough for the hill. And something to aim to beat next year.

The times haven't been posted on Cool Running, so I can only put an estimate: it was 23:30 or 23:40 something. There was a comprehensive breakfast afterwards, as we stood around on the hilltop, and then amazingly I picked up a prize for being the first among local runners (defined as hailing from one of the 5 towns contiguous with the state park). A $50 bond from a local bank! Couldn't believe it. Definitely a fun run, and Mark placed well too -- we'll do it again for sure :-)