HOOPER TOMATO DAYS 5K
This is a great, low-key 5k that is flat as a pancake. There are very few turns and so it's great to run a fast time on an honest course. Only problem is it's 3.07 instead of 3.1. I met up with Ben and Dave and we drove out together. We met Ken out there who said he was going to race while pushing his kids in his jogger. But when we got there he didn't have his kids and Ben said, "I knew you would do this. Tell me you're pushing kids and then show up ready to race for reals!" So the race was on between those two. Fun to watch. We also saw Steve there and the five of us warmed up 4 miles and some change.
The race got off and I took the lead right off the bat and really got after it. My first mile was 4:36 and I felt ok. I continued to feel pretty decent through 1.5 miles. At that point you turn north and there was some headwind (well that explains why 4:36 didn't feel too bad on mile one). I tried to keep in the 4:40s, but I was slowing for sure. Mile 2 was like 4:48. Mile 3 I was way out in front and I had to battle that little voice in my head telling me it was ok to slow down. I managed a 4:52 for mile 3, which I'm not too happy about, but oh well. That sometimes comes with racing solo up front. Final time was 14:37 on my watch but 14:38 chip.
Had it been the full 5k I figure I would have been 14:48-49. So, I'm very happy with the effort and feel like with some competition I could have gone faster. After I used my $50 and we all headed to Warren's for a well-earned breakfast. Another great time out with the guys!
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/368157071
PM: 6.4 miles easy on the trails. | 
