ARR Summer Series #1 ~ Race Report

I didn't head out this morning with too many high hopes ~ after all, I haven't exactly been the model running student as of late ~ but the prospect of great weather and great company were the two things that made me get out of bed this morning for the first race of the Arizona Roadracers Summer 5K Series.

I got up ~ ate ~ drank coffee ~ s t r e t c h e d like crazy ~ picked up Lisa at 6:30 (notably the first time ever I've actually picked her up for a race when it was light outside) ~ headed out to Papago Park, just in time to meet up with Eileen in the parking lot. Plenty more fun awaited when we met up with Eric and Chad ....and before we knew it, we were all off and running.

Mile 1 ~ 11:15
This was a nice, strong mile for me. I was surprised as all heck at how good I felt after not having stepped foot in my running shoes for over a week. I ran with Eileen, and we kept a great pace. No walking here ;)

Mile 2 ~ 11:36
Even with a quick walk break at the mile 1 mark, Mile 2 pulled down a great pace for me. We ran continuously ~ even hung with Chad and Eric for some and exchanged some running banter. Somewhere around the mile 2 mark, I was wearing down. The fatigue was definitely setting in and I was starting to drag. I bid farewell to Eileen, Eric and Chad and took myself a walk break.

Mile 3 ~ 11:56
Even with a lot of walk breaks, I proud of this pace. Anything sub-12 is nothing short of a major miracle for me. I ran a good pace, and walked when I needed ~ or wanted ~ to. Today was about the sheer enjoyment of running.

The final .1 mile was serious olympic running, my friends ~ 8:59 pace. Okay, so it was a tenth of a mile ~ but you just gotta love it!

Who knew when I got up this morning that this crazy little run would end up being a PR for me? I sure didn't. Now granted, I have a lot of wiggle room in my 5K stats ~ my best time ever was 38 minutes and some change ~ and that was a year and a half ago. I'll say it again ~ I'm really not a fan of the 5k distance.

But today may have swayed me a bit ~ deep down inside I feel this little challenge tugging at me to really work at this distance. I loooooooooove a sub-12 race ~ at ANY distance ~ and today was no different!!

So meet your newest (Arizona) PR setters for the day:

You know it's a great day when all your running buddies set a new PR! Congrats Lisa and Eileen on a FANTABULOUS race!!!

Summer 5K Series - Race #1: 35:29
Average Pace: 11:31