MDay-124 -- Tue. May 19

Today's marathon prep schedule was a 5 mile run, but I'm going ahead with the NoHo 5K and my 4 miles of warm-up/cooldown. Arrived (after awful traffic) at my regular parking spot a bit after 6, and jogged out slowly, arriving just in time for the start and to find Ivan too. Biggish crowd, and another fast start -- hang back a bit, but even Ivan gets pulled into it for the first 1/4 mile. End up with a 6:40ish first mile, then try tugging instead of pushing. Next mile is 6:30, and then as we approach the hill make a charge on the guy ahead--pass him on the hill, and push to the end staying ahead but not making much ground on Dave C, who turned out to be the guy ahead. Felt pretty good considering, and came in 15th.

Time: 20:11
Distance: 5K (3.08 miles)
Pace/Speed: 6:33s/9.16 mph

Comments: Doing a race after three days training was hard, but I didn't push it until the last mile, and I did my warmup/cooldown miles very gently. I have to start getting used to recovering more quickly anyway--training should leave me feeling sore, more often than I have been recently. So, all good enfin: the right achilles soreness was nagging but not very specific still.

Rich C congratulated me after the race (maybe he thinks I'm older than I am!) and a few of us chatted briefly; two older guys had stellar times, again; also discovered another UMA prof in the younger folks ahead of me. Looks like it'll be an interesting series. Ivan was happy to come in under 21, and I think he's got more of that in him. I'm happy with the progression in this one, but maybe next week I'll try a fast first mile again.

Completed the day with a gentle run back to the car, for a total extra of 4.09 miles @ 32:41