By the Numbers

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By the Words

My first race since returning to running in July. It was all feeling very serendipitous; the run was on the trail I ran several times when I lived just across the street from it and the fund for the event is very personal to me.

That doesn't mean I wasn't a bundle of nerves though.

I was doubting myself in terms of pacing. My goal was to just beat the PR I had on record (9:19/mi from 2021) with a nice-to-have stretch goal of 9:00. Luckily, I had the guy who inspired me to return to running in the first place - Jason - running with me. Thanks to him, I blew past my previous PR and ended up at 8:33!

Believe it or not, it could have been better. I didn't train at that pace (at all), and some combination of my mentals and heart rate got the best of me super close to the end - but only for 10 seconds. That's all coach Jason would let me stop for.

All in all, loved this race. A 5K with a medal. Dogs everywhere. Shoutout to two guys named Luke taking 3rd and 2nd overall, a dog named Hades placing, and a great first race back.

This one's for Gracie, Maya, Piper, and Lexi. I miss you girls every single day.

#1. Done and dusted.

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