Duck Run 5k - Met my goal (and got a prize)

My goal for this race was less than the previous race time (25:06).  I was certain I could go under but wasn't sure how far. That also depended on how I felt this morning.

On Wednesday I had ran some really fast 440s (too fast) and I could still feel it my legs early on in the race. After a bit it smoothed out and I didn't feel the soreness.

The race started really quick. A lot of people were running way too hard down the first stretch (East street). Some folks were already breathing really heavy. I could hear that and compare it to my breathing and I felt fairly good. I wasn't breathing quite as hard, yet. I could also tell that I was running way too quick.

At the first mile the person called out 7:10. I have 7:16 so I'm not sure how there could be such a difference. I heard that time and was surprised. I was also concerned that I might have burnt a bit too much energy.

Here are all the mile splits:

1. 7:16
2. 8:10 (15:27)
3. 8:14 (23:42)
4. 0:43 (24:25)

So as you can see I met my time goal. Bettered that by 41 seconds. I would have really been much happier with a consistent 8:00 but I still haven't figured that out yet.

We hung around to hear all the placements announced. I was standing there talking to Eric and he said to me "Oh by the way, you came in first in your age group. Did you know that?" I was totally shocked that I would have come in first place, especially in my age group. My age group, 35-39, is still young enough for us guys to have a little bit of athleticism left and a whole let of competitive fire. 

So hey, a bonus - I met my goal and I got a winners trophy (small but really nice picture frame).

Will look for pictures and results at the official web site later.

UPDATE: OK, the results have been posted and it has my time at 24:23. Hey, even better for me.

UPDATE (09/25/2009):  Couple of pictures:

• http://www.slide.com/s/kGNYxp7-2j9Z_mcRy1se4PCxANt1P5DP 
• http://www.slide.com/s/VkafbGCP6j8YFyIrofuS8j0wkv3ED3AP