A surprise 5k

First, let me apologize for not posting last week. Quick summary, I did a 10 mile run Saturday (April 6) and I was not real pleased with the results. I felt fine but it was one of those days where I felt like I just never really got into the groove and my resulting time (2:18) suffered as a result.

But enough of that...

This weekend promised to be cool and crisp - perfect weather for a run. My training schedule called for a short four mile run ahead of the Unite Half Marathon at Rutgers which I am running next weekend. As luck would have it, this was also the weekend for the Bedford Hills "Run for the Hills" 5k - an event that has been going on in my town for several years but one that I never participated in (not surprising as I only started running this year). Well, I figured that 5k was not that much less than 4 miles, so why not make this my training run for the weekend? So I signed up.

On the morning of the race I had a leisurely morning. I figured I'd leave the house around 7:30, get a hearty breakfast and get there nice and early for the 9:30 start (I've discovered I like arriving early to races). That didn't happen as little events that morning kept me from leaving and I finally headed up to my room to get ready at a little after 8. Then it hit me. Is the start time 9:30 or 8:30? I panicked. I ran to my computer to look it up. 8:30! Oh no! I ran back to my room, threw on a tech shirt and some shorts and bolted out the door. I even forgot my fitbit, which was charging. I was not at all sure I could make it. If I hit any obstacles along the way I definitely would not make it.

I knew my biggest challenge was going to be finding parking. I decided then and there I would try to park in my chiropractor's office parking lot which was about a block from the starting area at the train station. I made it to Bedford Hills in what was for me, I think, a record time. I pulled into the parking lot and there were plenty of spots. I made my way down to the sign-in and picked up my bib with 5 minutes to spare. Whew! I went to pick up my t-shirt but they were all gone by then. Bummer. I went to the staring area and we were off!

OK, just let me say this. 5k is a very... civilized distance for a race. Nice and easy. I ran into a friend of mine from the neighborhood and we pretty much kept pace with each other. The course - as you might expect from the name - is quite hilly. As I had been training on hills for the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon which was a few weeks back (run report here) I didn't have too much trouble with the hills. I finished the race in about 34 minutes (I don't have the official time yet) which I was pretty pleased with.

The stats from my iRunner

After I finished I ran into my chiropractor Dr. Stuart Weitzman, who has been giving me a lot of very helpful advice about running (not to mention keeping my back in shape).

Me and Dr. Stu. Note the hat.

It was a very fun race (despite my little scare) and it was nice to be able to do a race as part of my training. I'll definitely keep my eye out for more 5k's.

Next week - the Unite Half Marathon! I am really looking forward to it!