Looping the Hen

Not Quite Prefontaine...

But then again, nobody is or ever will be. Still, I finally made two of my goals yesterday at the Predator's 5k.

It was below freezing when the race started, but that was mainly because of the wind funnelling around the Gaylord Entertainment Center. By the time we hit mile 1, it was beautiful and felt almost like 40, which was perfect for the way I was dressed.

I was a little disconcerted when the timer said I crossed the one mile at 10:20, but I found out at the end my chip time was around 1:40. (the chip keeps track of when you cross the starting line, and starts your 'personal' clock then) My main goal was to run a 26:30, and I felt like I was way off pace because I thought my chip time was only around a minute or so. I ended up at 25:38, and the course may have been the hardest one yet, or just barely 2nd to the Frostbite race in 5 degree weather. There were two significant uphills at the start of the race, and another at the end. A good downhill following the last up helped me make up some time though, and I had a good kick left for the finish. (even though I felt like I was being tortured by some hideous running deity!)

My 2nd goal was to have my last mile be faster than my first, and it was by about 10 seconds. This one was important because all my other races showed how bad my wind was, because my last mile has always been a minute or so slower than my first.

All in all, a beautiful race, and the t-shirts were pretty nice: 100% soft cotton and an attractive design.

Go me!