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MAC Fest 5km Fun Run

September 28, 2024 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 60ish and sunny -Quite nice

Comments:
Awoke pretty early in the St. Paul hotel (formerly the 3rd busiest post office in the country). Drove to Anna's dorm and we walked to register for the 5km in front of the athletic center. Jogged the 1 mile course once to scope it out and then compared it with the map to ensure I knew where I was going. Didn't do any drills or striders, but did swing legs. At the start, I tried not to lead, but after the first half mile, it was clear the two, then one guy with me were slowing, so without meaning to, I pulled away before the first loop ended. I felt good and smooth through the first lap. Second lap gave me some self doubts, but I stayed focused and enjoyed passing Lew, Anna, and most of the field. Third loop hurt a fair bit, but I stayed mostly consistent. I tired to relax a tad with about half a mile to go so as not to run out of gas, but I did finish hard over the last 400. There was a fair bit of swerving off the road/sidewalk, especially in the last loop as I was passing walkers and joggers. Had to motion the flag waivers out of the way after the 3rd lap so they'd notice I was heading to the track for the final 300 meters. I'd thought about the Hoppers racing at Derwood a few times, and on the Mac track I thought of Lauren Silberman who surely raced there. I had to call out to the College President and her associates as I approached the finish line so they'd stop chatting and notice I was finishing. Anna and Lew were apparently adjacent on the softball field, starting their second loop when I finished. Watch said 18:26. First loop had been 5:33 and second was around 11:10. I've studied Lew's Strava map of the two laps she ran and I have decided that the course probably was almost exactly 5km... That feels good, and at worst I was right around 6 flat. It hurt and I was pleased with my focus, effort, and pacing. Wore my speed shoes as they were lighter and cleaner to pack in my shared bag with Lew. Course was mostly on pavement, but there was about 150 meters on grass, three times and lots of twists and tight turns... Only once did I have to put my hands on a walker's back when I almost ran them over. Great Ethiopian for lunch and around 6pm took a 90 minute walk with Lew and Anna to the River and back. Great visit with Anna.