MHM -40/NoHo 5K -- Tue. Aug. 31

Finishing a long month with a race; seems like ages since a 5K, so again with some trepidation: left work a bit after 5 (having had a decent lunch this time!) and drove to usual spot. Very hot (92 at start time, evidently) and getting muggier. Parked, clutched $5 tight and headed up trails to start, doing the 3 mile version. Arrive in good time, and sign up; decide to run shirtless, it's just too hot for else; good crowd (50+ people) and a fast start, dust clouds and gravel flying! Go for a fast first lap, sub-6:00, but not sure how long it'll hold. No one very close in front to chase after a mile, and I'm thirsty; also guy behind is nipping at my heels. Keep ahead with his push until mile 2, then get confused by sign and turn early; he says, "No.." (laconic, matter of fact) and I turn round and leap back onto correct trail just ahead of him (he kindly paused to let me in at that point), then to make it up I go bursting up the steep climb in the trees. That hits hard as I start the stretch around the field, but he's not close; in fact falling behind. Still I keep pushing, making mile 3 a 6:38. Thought I might even get a PB after miles 1 and 2, but this course is tough, even on days like this when one's feeling very fluid... Final push on the downhill gets me 6th place and this:

RaceTime: 19:36 ( (19:37)
RaceDistance: 3.1 miles (3.14)
RacePace: 6:19s

TotalTime: 1:15:57
TotalDistance: 10.38 miles
TotalPace: 7:19s

Comment: That's my best on this course by 10 seconds or so. After a banana, cookie and a drink, and chatting with April, headed back to the car, running fairly slowly -- still very muggy, and getting a bit dusky. As I set off, feel I'm missing something, but no, have drink bottle and GPS and am wearing shirt. get almost back to the car...and THEN realise I've left my car keys behind. Arg! Under the picnic table. Turn round and head back, picking up pace a bit now, hoping someone will still be there, or that noone will have found them. Go directly back, not longer route, and find April and co. packing up still ~ phew!! Sure enough, Sue had picked up the keys -- saved! Not relishing the prospect of another few miles back, accept a lift with those guys in the big Ford van, and get a chance to chat a bit. The total mileage and pace for the day was still a bit higher than I'd planned, but it's all training. . .