With the baby arriving tomorrow and being fit, rested, and expecting that to all go away very quickly, I decided to do a mile time trial. The last mile I raced was in 2013. I was in ~19:00 5k shape, but also 7 years younger. I ran a 5:22.

Obviously I’m in much better 5k shape now, but turnover and raw speed have been elusive, I’d be running solo, and I truly had no idea what to pace this at. I started thinking 78 second quarter miles (5:12) would be within the realm of possibility and not leave me too gassed if they didn’t work out so that was the thought.

Rebecca met me at the track (I ran, she was out on a walk) and FaceTimed my niece who has been racing a mile twice a week while on quarantine. I hoped to provide her some inspiration. There was a slight wind heading to the southeast so I started from the most southeast corner; would allow me to finish with a tailwind.

First lap? 76 and feeling strong. Second? 77 still pretty fine. Another 77. What is going on here? I have a lot left! 76. Total? 5:07. There was definitely more in the tank. Very exciting and surprising.

I had been tossing around the idea of giving a sub-5 push a go before Father Time really catches up and this cements it. With some competition and a light amount of training, I’m there. The dadbod might have to wait.