Training run & Hatfield delicious 5K -- Sat. October 13

Ivan found this run, and since I went another whole week without getting out, it's a good thing. I made sure to get in a warm-up run, using teh internets to plot a course measuring about 3 miles. So, about 8:30 I left and headed to the edge of Hatfield, parking the car by a cemetery. It was a bit chilly (though I was in longs and my orange fleece) and sunny with misty patches still all around. The dirt road (Littel Neponset) was perfect, and I took it easy; eventually it came out on to the main street, and I arrived at the starting point (Elementary School) in good time. Here's the training run

Time: 21:59
Distance: 2.95 miles
Speed: 8 mph

Then at 10:00, having met up with Ivan, we were off for the 5K. A good crowd (106) and a few fast starters; the only people I recognised were a couple of older men (50 y.o. or 60 y.o. categories) and Kelli Lusk (30-39), but I was trailing a good bunch and aiming to stay at least in sight of Kelli. It was a flat course, very nicely scenic with some trail and some road.

The first mile was fast (5:50 for me) but it felt amazingly good. I was resisting the temptation to get ahead of both Kelli and the younger woman who eventually placed top female, and at 1.5 miles I was still at a high pace -- but then I started to feel it a bit. The top woman and I tussled a bit behind Kelli; in the end I think I did her some good, keeping her at a high pace and in striking distance, though she had a tendency to crowd in and obscure my lane. まあ、若いから許してあげるに決まってるけど。

One older guy passed us three and then she took off after him; in mile three Kelli and I were both steady as she pulled ahead. I was running out of steam a bit, but kept place until the final section and was closing on Kelli when a guy came through faster and passed us both. I ended up coming in 9th, with a new PB!

Time: 19:19
Distance: 3.1 miles
Speed: 9.7 mph

Comment: now I have a new target for the 5K -- 18:38, or a 6:00 pace. I really think that with time and some training I can do it. I just need to build up so I can run double my current distance at top pace. This Hatfield race is a perfect course for it. I should add that the after-run eats were the best I've ever enjoyed (home-baked pumpkin bread!). Plus, Ivan and I both took home pumpkin pies as prizes for 3rd in our age groups. And a pumpkin gift to all who entered. Just cool, really.