We always go to the Murray Parade with my wifes family. I'm not a huge parade fan, so I try to make up for it by getting a little run in the 5K. Weather was cloudy with the occasional raindrop, and it felt humid. I ran for a bit before to warm up, this was my first run since 45 at Laramie last weekend. This course runs from Murray Park south down State about a mile, then
turns around and runs back to Vine street, up Vine for about a half
mile, then down into the park, finishing back near the entrance. When the gun went off I started out fairly fast, but tried to hold myself back a little, trying to save some energy for later. This is not a flat or fast course, there's a decent little hill (for a 5K anyway) south of 53rd, and then more when you come back and make your way to Vine. I felt great the first mile, then started to feel a little tired in my legs shortly after the turnaround. I just couldn't seem to hold the pace, I also felt like the humidity was making me overheat, not sure that full on sun would have been any better though! I find it interesting they do have one water station on the course, but its at about 2.75 miles in, at that point I just needed some to dump on my head! Pushed hard and finished strong at the finish, coming in at 22:19 - a few seconds slower than last year, and not as fast as I would liked, but I guess I can't complain with the time with the long run last weekend and it not being a super fast course (though the winner did it in 15:15 :)). Had a good time and it made for a good start to the very fun and full day!
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