Sole to Soul 5K

So yesterday, I decided to race in the Sole to Soul 5K on a whim. It was a fundraiser for one of the local Catholic schools, and I just felt like testing my legs one last time before my upcoming marathon.

It was a cold morning, with just a mild breeze. I opted to wear shorts, a long-sleeve tech shirt underneath my No Meat Athlete shirt (http://www.nomeatathlete.com/shirts-new/). Gloves and a hat were necessary accessories as well.

The course started and finished in Schwartz Road Park (http://www.cityofavon.com/EZ_Locations_Detail.aspx?id=25&d=15) and was an out-and-back course through a quaint residential area.

The first mile was COLD! My goodness, my nose was frozen solid, I couldn't even breathe through it! This was a sensation that I have never experienced before. Despite this handicap, I managed to run a 6:29 first mile. I was able to warm-up by mile two, and ran a 6:50, and my final mile was a 6:48. My overall chip time was: 20:35!!! I tied my all-time 5K PR, which I ran back in 2002 during my first collegiate cross country season at Muskingum (http://www.muskingum.edu/home/). I placed 4th overall for women and won my age-group!

This was the confidence booster that I needed! Now I have one more week of high mileage before I begin the dreaded taper, then race day will be here before I know it!!!