Greenville Jaycees Flat Out 5K 2009

Date: 6/27/09
Distance : 5K

Time:19:25

Pace: 6:15
Place: 6th

I had just started running last year June 08 and I decided to participate in this run in 2008. Actually this was my first running event and I had only been training three weeks before the race needless to say I was totally exhausted at the finish line finishing 38th , 22:45 min, 7:20min/mile. And determined to improve and to be somewhat competitive next year.

After entering several 5K,8K, 10k,4mile,8mile,10mile, two 1/2 marathons,14 mile and one grueling marathon I felt that I was better prepared and thought that it would be interesting to see if I had improved.

I got up late on race day 7:30 and had to be at the race start by 8:00am to pickup my packet.I arrived at 7:45 and had 10min to warm up before the race start. The race started on time and I was in 9th position and saw the lead runners way out ahead and knew there was no need to maintain such a intense pace and since it was quite warm out I started out at about a 6min pace the first mile then slowed down a bit at 1 mile, it was then that I was passed by a couple guys.

At mile 1.5mile I hit a comfortable pace and relaxed. 2.5 I start to see a few guys ahead that passed me previously and then I saw some of the lead pack. I felt quite good so I pushed harder to gain and eventually pass three runners and then let lose on the slight down hill on 5th st. leading to the finish line. I tried to kick harder resulting in rapid and heavy as I neared the finish. In the end, I finished in 6th and placing first in my age group.

Compared to last year results I finished 3.2 min faster this year.

Overall,This was quite a good run and well organized with a nice course with no sharp turn around points. Race started on time and results were up by 12:00 noon on race day!