My Second Race!!!

Today I ran my second race ever--a 5-kilometer affair (that's 3.1 miles for you uns who don't do metric). It was the inaugural 5K Run for the Rainforest sponsored by the Amazon Conservation Team. I know, I know--saving the rainforest seems so "old school"--but apparently it hasn't been saved yet. Well, I did my part.

The race started and ended in Ballston, and we ran portions of the W&OD and Custis trails. I had never been on either of these trails, but at least they were paved and mostly shaded by large trees. Parts were very hilly, though, so that was challenging. And it was a hot, muggy morning.

I felt pretty good the entire race. I held back for the first two miles, but the third mile I really stepped it up. My unofficial finish time was 35:27, but it was really more like 35:00 even, since we started in the back of the pack (this was not a chip race). That put me at about an 11:25 minute/mile pace, which is almost exactly the same pace at which I ran the 8k back in March. I felt like I could have done it faster, though. Next time! And that next time happens to be next Saturday, when I run a 4-miler. We'll see how that goes!

I'd also like to give a shout-out to my cousin V, who I got to hang out with a little last week. V, this one's for you!