Great Pumpkin Fun Run 5K

I just got a 5K PR! Chip time: 23:32.

Yesterday I signed up for the Great Pumpkin Fun Run 5K because it sounded like a fun way to get my 5K pace tempo run done.

This morning, I drove into downtown Houston, shivering from the chilly 52 degrees. I parked and ran towards the start line with the race map in my hand. With only 15 minutes to find the start line, that was my warm-up.

I had a few things I wanted to do today and I actually did them all!

• Hit start and stop on my Garmin when I cross the mats.
• Start closer to the front.
• Beat my PR of 24:01.
• Run a 7:36 average pace.
• Even if it feels really hard, keep running strong!

In the first mile, a purple grape and Superman both passed me and then I actually passed Superman in the last mile! And you know he was running faster than a speeding bullet! ; )

Part of the race route was on the half marathon route I ran last Sunday and the running route I ran yesterday so the streets were familiar. So were the hills! I only had to run up a couple today, though.

Near the end, we ran up a steep hill and I heard my name called out. I knew it was a friend I had seen just before the start. Thanks to her I must have cut my time by at least five seconds!

Finally, I was close to the finish line and I saw 23:32 on the race clock - such a bea-u-t-i-ful sight!

Splits: 7:30, 7:37, 7:40, and last 0.11 mile at 7:06. Average: 7:35. Garmin finish time: 23:33.