7 minutes!

Royal Oak's Oak Apple 5K: 21.47, 7'00/m

I got quite the confidence boost today; finishing my 4th 5K of the year at a 7 minute pace!  - and I got it by the skin of my teeth, which believe me - took every ounce of strength I had - making even more gratifying. 

The first half mile was like all other 5ks.  The adrenaline kicked in; causing my legs to go numb, and I started with an unnatural 6:30 pace; probably the fastest start of the year, maybe ever - but no surprise really.  That's the best part of the 5K events.  That first half, even full mile, is always insanely quick and painless.   In fact, I often have to constrain myself.  I can't remember if I did that today.

I came in right at 7 minutes on the first mile, which I thought for sure meant the 7 minute pace wasn't happening today.  Usually the second mile is a good 20-30 seconds slower - but not today.  I finished mile 2 at 7:02.  I was feeling some hope at that point, and thought... I picked up the pace from there.

But at 2.5 miles, i was actually at 7:04.  Still, that was close enough.  I knew at that point - no matter how horrible it felt at that point - this was my chance; perhaps my last (you never know with these knees), and from then I just gave it everything I had.  When I could finally see the finish line, I picked out a spot where I would go into hyper run - though considering I had put in 100% to that point, I just couldn't do it.  I picked it up for sure, but I could not .. dash.

When I crossed the line - I clenched my fist - cause the time read 21:45, 46, 47.  Finished!   I had beat 22 minutes... and enough where I thought - just maybe - I got back down to 7 minutes.

About an hour later I finally got to see the results.  Ironically - though I did come in with a 7 minute pace, my second best ever - and best since my knee surgeries (2008) - I missed out on the age-group medal for the first time this year (by 20 seconds).  I got 4th place.

This certainly doesn't mean I'm done.  Looking forward to continue training tomorrow and breaking some new records at my next 5K :)