Why do we get up early, and drive an hour to the small town of Havana just to run a 5K? Is it because of great shirt, the beer drinking that begins at 0900, and the great food? Well yes, but mostly because it provides a flat fast course. The perfect place to set a pr.
The early drive was a foggy one, with cool temps. We got there in plenty of time to get our pacts, and get a good warm up in. I did forget my shades. Anyone that knows me, know I always run in my glasses. I am a creature of habit.
We lined up at the starting line. I was definitely feeling nervous. I have really been focusing on my track work out and speed this summer, and I really wanted to do well. When the race started I really tried to focus on not going out too fast. A bad habit of mine. I did mile 1 @ a 6:38. A little fast, but I felt OK. Mile 2 was just under a 7:00. When I got near the finish i saw the clock. 20:52. “Move it” I thought to my self. I finished with a 21:02. MY PR by 43 seconds! I couldn’t help but kick my self for not breaking a 21:00.
After the race we got a beer and visited with all the other Springfield rabbits that raced. Dan asked me to interview Joe Thiel. I more nervous doing this than the race.
I ended 2nd in my age group, 4th overall womens. Derick, Dan, and Jason all get trophies too! The Polka pace is always a good run, and good time. I didn’t realize until I read Dan’s post, and looked at my past trophies that this completed my trilogy as well. In ’06 when I set my previous PR of 21:45 I got 1st, and last year I placed 3rd. You can see my 1st place trophy is broke. Thats how it came. [Polka Pace Race Results]
