My first 5k ever was today, the Frederick Fair/YMCA 5k run. It was rainy, 68F, and a 9:15 start time. There were probably less than 300 people there. The median age must have been about 35, with some preteens running the 5k as well as older folks. There was coffee, donuts and water and fruit available. I did get a tee shirt. I did no special training other than my 4-5 mile daily runs that I habitually do. I am in excellent shape, weighed today at 164.
My first mile was only 7:30. That disappointed me as I thought I would do under 7 for the first mile. I never really found my rhythm during the whole race. The rain came down consistently thru the run. I ran for a long way with a 30 year old woman who was in great shape. There was one older guy who seemed insistent on maintaining my pace. I like to run outside of a pack so I would speed up to get alone, and then others would catch back up to me.
The last half mile was on the horse track at the fairgrounds, and it was a cinder mudpit. There was no way to sprint on that without slipping. I finished the race at 23:45. I was really hoping for a 21:00 - 22:00 time for my first 5k. I had a headache when I finished and I dont know why. I was not really tired and on the exhaustion scale I was only a 4. I have no idea what my finish place was and I didnt even stay for awards or doorprizes. I was soaking wet and covered with mud and really just wanted a shower. I felt no comaraderie during or after the race.
NOTES TO SELF:
I didnt get enough sleep the night before. I didnt need to be at the race 1 hour early. I should have had more water to drink before the race. I should have gotten a few more runs in the week before the race; I was on vacation and only ran once the week before the race. I took all of my vitamins before the race and that was a good idea.
