Even though it was only a 5K, I decided to make a carby dinner last night in preparation. Pasta is not something that I really eat all that often, but I like the tradition of eating it before a race – of any distance. I made Spaghetti with a White Wine Garlic Sauce from the Skinny Bitch Cookbook.
The only problem was, I didn’t have spaghetti. Typical. So I used fusili instead and also added sliced olives just because I like them. While the flavor of this dish was good, and the vegetables used, Jason and I both felt that the sauce was a little thin and didn’t stand up to the pasta well.
We watched a few episodes of Dexter Season 5 before turning in for the night. (I still have two episodes to go in the season, but I think that Season 4 was the best out of all of them.) I fell into a deep sleep. Normally when I have to get up earlier than normal, I wake up every hour or so, worrying that my alarm wasn’t set properly. Today, when my alarm went off at 6am, I was just confused.
Once I figured out what was going on, I got up, got ready and made race-day breakfast. A sandwich thin with pb for me and a smoothie for Jason. I also had coffee. I didn’t know if the coffee was going to be the best idea because uhh…it gets things moving, if you know what I mean. We got to the race around 7:20 and met up with my friend Jaime to pick up our numbers. I ran into both Ginnie and Lindsay while making my way to the port-o-potties.
I decided that I would use my Garmin for this race. I’ve had the Garmin for about 3 years, but I think this might be the first time I’ve ever used it in a race. Typically, I don’t because I feel like I focus on the time too much and don’t enjoy the actual run, but since this race was primarily downhill, I wanted to use it to make sure I didn’t run too fast in the beginning and burn out.
There was chip timing this year which was nice. It seems that the trend for smaller races is to have a timing mat at just the beginning of the course, which seems pointless to me, but this race had one at both the beginning and the end.
Yes, this is the same girl who runs 11-12 minute miles during her long runs. Never underestimate the power of race-day adrenaline, a competitive nature and a primarily downhill course.
Jaime and I ran together for the first mile, which was all downhill and somewhat steep at certain parts. There were times when I looked at my Garmin and realized that I was running a sub-8 minute mile, but it didn’t feel that difficult. (Thank you Lauren for helping me set up my Garmin correctly, btw) Right after the first mile, there’s a bit of an uphill and my pace slowed significantly. I also lost Jaime as she went ahead of me. Fortunately, I’ve done this race before and I used to work in the area, so I am familiar with it and I knew that this was the most difficult part of the course and really not that difficult by Atlanta hill standards.
After the big hill, it was mostly flat for a while and then a little bit of downhill before another smaller uphill. This was around mile 2 and I knew that after the small uphill, it’d be entirely downhill after that. I kept at my 8:30ish pace which felt fine. I really wanted to see a 26 on the clock when I crossed the finish line, but it wasn’t in the cards today and I finished in 27:30 which is still a 15 second PR.
Though I’m pleased with myself for PRing, I don’t really feel like I gave it my all during this race. I guess this is the problem with being crazy competitive with yourself. I did, however, finish a minute and 45 seconds faster than I did last year and I had a good race. 26 minutes, I’m coming for you next year!
wow! look at those mile times! Those are awesome! Good job!!
Way to go!!! Those are great splits.
I always eat pasta the night before a race. I don’t care what they say – I think it makes a difference even for a 5K (as long as you don’t over-do it).
You should run it next year. You would have killed it!
Great job on the race!
I like pizza instead of pasta
That’s a great job! And what an excellent day for a downhill race. It was perfect out this morning. Made me loathe having to do the treadmill even more. LOL
Ah! You did fantastic!!! Celebrate it up!!
Great job! Downhill or not, that is a great time! And you improved and that’s all that matters.
I’m hoping to do a second 5k soon and want to improve my time. Even if by a minute, I’ll be happy. 
Very impressive. Great job!
You new blog name should be speedy lee!
Haha, thanks!
Go Lee! I think anything under a 9 minute mile (okay, a 10 minute mile!) is really fast, so I’m impressed. Race day adrenaline rocks!
Awesome job, Lee! Congrats! You should be really proud of yourself.
How impressive! Congratulations.
I’m sorry you don’t feel that you gave it your all but I think it’s excellent that you did it, got the time you did AND Pred!
Awesome job!
Congrats–You did awesome!!! That is such a fast 5k!
Congratulations!! On both a great race and a PR! I know the feeling of being so competitive with yourself that you want MORE out of a race than what you got, but hopefully that will just drive you next time. For now, bask in the glory of your new PR
And I know you’ll get that 26:xx soon enough!
Also Dexter season 4 was absolutely amazing! It’s my favorite as well. Which made Season 5 sort of a let-down (in my opinion). I’m so excited for it to start back up again!
We finished watching Season 5 last night. We thought it was weird how the season started out with the whole rita thing but then totally abandoned that plot line in the middle.
very impressive splits!! I know the feeling about being too competitive with yourself, but I think you should sit back and enjoy the new PR.
Wow, awesome PR Lee! That is super speedy! I’m surprised this is the first time you’ve used your garmin in a race, though that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I became addicted to knowing my pace and pretty much wear mine whenever I run, race or no race.
Woohoo great job on the PR!!!
Congrats on the race Lee!! That’s an awesome PR!
Congrats on the PR and the 5K!! I’m not a huge pasta person either but when I decide to make it, I want it super special. I’ll be getting that book in the mail to you sometime this week.