It’s been a long time since I raced, but today I’m recapping Maddie’s Mark, the 5k I ran on Saturday, with Jessica at The Silvah Lining, Mary Beth at Tutus and Tennies, and Christina at Crazy Mama Runner.

A Race chauffeur and running friends
I got such a treat this morning: a neighbor was running it too, and when I approached her about carpooling she said yes. Then she offered to drive! Win! I hate driving and I rarely go to this particular park, so while I have the basic idea of how to get there I’d be relying on my GPS.

Then again I’ve only lived here 6 years & she’s lived here her whole life.

So it was great to have a chauffeur and company.

The head coach for my USAFit Albany group and one of the assistant coaches are actually the co-race directors for this race. The race benefits Maddie’s Mark, which is basically a local make a wish-type organization.

It’s also one of my favorite 5ks and while I have PR’d at it, not this time. In fact, I do seem to be slowing down. Then again I was being cautious because my fall goal race is just 2 weeks away.

My running group had met up to do several miles beforehand. I just didn’t want to do that. I didn’t want to get all sweaty and then have to hang around that way until the race started (although there are real bathrooms — which were also totally out of paper towels). I wanted to really race this race and see what I could do.

I decided to go later with my neighbor and get in the rest of my miles later in the afternoon.

There’s all sorts of activities going on: a kid’s run, a fall festival after the race, and the 5k. There was a Zumba warmup which we watched. I probably should have done it, but I was too busy chatting with running friends.

Many of my running group were dribbling in after their warmup runs, including the 2 ladies I normally run with. One had fallen on the warmup run, but thought she was okay and I give her a lot of kudos because she still raced. The other mentioned a few times during the race how sorry she was that she ran before the race and how hard it made the race feel — keep in mind, though, that she ran a half marathon last weekend and has another the same weekend as me.

Race Recap
We played chicken for much of the run. I was doing my 4/30 run/walk intervals, as that seems to be working for me and that’s what I plan to do for my half. I was really hoping to come in under 33 minutes, which would have beaten my time from last year, but it wasn’t to be. The first mile was 10:36, although there were quite a few times I was under 10 minutes when I glanced at my watch (but then we’re walking, we’re walking . . . and I don’t walk fast).

Mile 2 includes a trail through the woods and I slowed way down there. I wouldn’t call it very technical, but it’s narrow and there are quite a few roots, and I just don’t want a fall before my race. So mile 2 was 11:04. I was so hoping to keep every mile below 11 minutes.

Mile 3 was 10:25. So pleased that that last mile was faster than the first 2. If you look at all that data my pace was just a bit faster than my official pace. Still not sure of the accuracy of my GarminVivoactive but at least now I know it’s close.

My running partner blew by me in the end to finish 4 seconds ahead of me. She always says she’s dying, but she always beats me. Plus she ran 3 miles before! And a half the weekend before! Great job, Denise!

Some of our running group volunteer at this race too, and I saw them on the course, but I had no idea that one of them took photos of me at the finish line. And sent them to me; thank you, Leslie!

The aftermath
Nothing hurt, but I have been having just a little bit of tenderness in my achilles on and off. Always something. I’ve been icing it, although I totally didn’t do any stretching after the race. Bad Judy. I’m feeling good, though, and am still hopeful for a good half in 2 weeks. And I won’t be running anywhere near that pace at any time during my half, either!

I really didn’t have big plans for this race, other than to really try to race it and to try to come in just under 33 minutes. I definitely raced it but I didn’t meet my time goal. Close, but no cigar. Maybe if there was no trail portion I could have done it. I know I did my best or as they say, a PB (personal best for this day with these conditions). And training for a longer event is not really conducive to training for speed in a shorter event.

Maybe I need to look for a 5k after my half . . . a flat one.

I finished up my 4 miles (for 7 miles total for the day) in the afternoon. And this time I did stretch, and I did foam roll.

I’m also linking up with MCM Mama Runs, Run the Great Wide Somewhere, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup; because the more, the merrier, right?