Given my cold, I wasn’t sure I’d even make it out to the race, but being the cheapskate that I am, I didn’t want to lose my $28.<br/><br/>Woke up early, as the race was quite a hike away, felt pretty much the same as yesterday… Can definitely tell I’m not 100%, drove the hour out there, short warmup, pre-race poo, and we’re off.<br/><br/>The first mile was a downhill for the most part. I came through at 5:51 (an adult PR, but I’m not counting it) and noticed I had absolutely nobody around me. Guys ahead were a good 15 seconds up, and the guys behind were a good 15 seconds back. Not sure how that affected my run, but the gaps only grew. I was not passed the entire race and I did not do any passing… I guess I deserve a pat on the back for being able to maintain while alone.<br/><br/>Anyway, mile #2 ended at 12:13 (6:22). It was an up and down, but overall neutral mile… A good mid-race mile. At this point I realized my healthy goal (19:40, 6:20 total pace) was well within reach as long as I could hang on through the end.<br/><br/>Mile #3 proved diffcult. Whereas mile #1 was a fast downhill, this one retraced it, but in the opposite direction; slow uphill. It was grueling going, but apparently I was able to hold on to that same pace for the final 1.1 miles, finishing in a time of 19:38; something I’d be proud of even if I didn’t have a cold!<br/><br/>Legwise, I felt perfect. Head and energywise, it was absolutely miserable. I can’t ever recall feeling so crappy after a race. Heck, I still feel awful. Oh well, I met my goal while not being 100%… I can live with that.<br/><br/>I <a href=”http://youstartifinish.com/080524%20Results%20-%20Round%20Hill%20Hometown%20Festival%205K%20Overall.htm” target=”_blank”>finished 6th overall</a> and for the third straight race I won my age group. I keep lucking out by having the overall winners in my age group so they get skipped for that award. They only handed out one overall award, a guy a few years younger than me, and obviously a lifelong runner, finished in 15:44… Blazing. So I came home with a dinky little medal… I also won a door prize, a free lunch at <a href=”http://www.savoirfarelimited.com/” target=”_blank”>Savoir Fare</a>. It was only good for lunch hours during the week so I ended up giving it to the lady who let out the biggest sigh of disappointment when they called my number.<br/><br/>I just downed some NyQuil… Time for a nap.