Twilight 5K Race Report

I decided at the last minute to run the Twilight 5K held on Saturday, July 16 at 7:15 p.m. (women's start time--men run at 6:30 p.m.).  Rick was on a day trip, so I needed to find someone to watch my kids while I ran.  Well, I found a great solution Saturday afternoon (thanks to a fellow Fleet Feet teammate Christy Scott and facebook)!  My friend's daughter babysat my kids at the race.  I only needed her for 45 minutes or so instead of hiring a sitter to stay at my house for a couple of hours!  I loved this solution and may have to use it again when Rick and I both want to run a race.  The kids played outside the whole time.  The race is held on a college campus, and there is alot of space for them to roam.  This race is unique because the men and women run separately.  I like being able to watch the men's race, and I think this race is great for young families with a husband and wife who both want to run.

A couple of things worked against me in this race.  I had run about 16 1/2 miles on Friday morning, so I wasn't fresh for the race.  Also, it was a night race, and I'm more used to morning races (most people are!).

I did my best and finished 2nd overall.  I had a really hard time keeping the pace in the last mile.  But I improved my time by over 30 seconds from my time last year in this race.  Fellow Fleet Feet teammate Linda Scavarda was a welcome site at the turnaround as she called out, "This next part's all downhill!"  That was just what I needed to hear at that point!  I was very impressed with the race directors, David and Ashley Cain, since they managed to direct the race while also tending to their four children, the youngest being under a month!

Mile 1 6:18
Mile 2 6:42
Mile 3 6:53
.1 41
20:35 (6:38 pace)