There was a run (5k/10k) in the town about 45 minutes from here (Jacksonville) but due to a number of reasons, I didn't race it. I figured I could get nearly the same workout by just heading to the HS track and running some quick laps after a warm up. 10 miles around GP, mostly west of town along Redwood Rd before returning through downtown and ending up at the track at exactly 10 miles. The morning was perfect; cold enough for gloves but warm enough for short sleeves. No rain but the fog was so thick that I could feel the mist on my face and had low visibility (<20 ft) during a few sections. After arriving at the track I stretched a bit and then got started with my solo 5k. First mile in 5:17 (78, 81, 80, 77). My goal when I began was for no slower than 80 seconds on each lap. Not sure why I faltered on the second lap but no biggie. My average was under goal pace so that was good. Second mile in 5:15 (78, 78, 78, 79); 10:32 total. Feeling good, no complaints. Third mile in 5:12 (77, 78, 79, 75); 15:44 total. I always seem to slow down on the next-to-last lap/repeat/mile/etc. It's mental. I take my foot on the gas and save some for the end. Lame. It's something I need to work on correcting. Final 200m in 35 seconds for a final time of 16:19. I'm pretty pleased with my 'race.' I'm pretty sure I couldn't have gone another 3.1 miles. I didn't want to anyway... The time was my PR territory just about 18 months ago so to be able to run these splits by myself on a cool October morning, I feel pretty good. I doubt it means anything significant but the morning wasn't a total waste either. ;-) 4 mile cool down.
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