How To Set A PR (Win)

Last night, I went out for my first run in Yuma's series of city runs--The Zombie Run.

Based on how my last organized race went, I really didn't think I would be setting any goals because if it was too crowded it would really be hard to be consistent with my speed.  But that was really not a problem last night.  I also was running with the ten year old son of another teacher from my school. Luckily, he was the boost that I needed to make this goal!

I felt bad the first time I had to take a walk break. It seemed like we hadn't run very far, or for very long and that I can usually wait a bit longer when I am out on runs by myself. But I needed the break and we walked for a couple of minutes.  We kept up our running and walking until the Endomondo told us we had already gone one mile.  One mile in eleven minutes was all I heard! Really?!  I hadn't run a mile in eleven minutes in a long time!  The second mile of our 5k was 13 minutes, still a bit faster than my recent miles.  And the third mile--eleven minutes again!

During the run I was talking with my young running partner about how I was working on a goal time for this race, and since we were doing so well along the way we might be able to make my goal time!  When we heard the Endomondo give the time for the third mile as 36 minutes he shouted "We can make it" and we ran through the finish line in 37 minutes and 47 seconds.  Holy moly!  I just made my goal and shaved 2+ minutes of my time!  Yay--I finally can get my new Birkenstock sandals and have finally met a goal I've been working towards for a long time!

I figured out why we were so fast in this race. First, I didn't have much to talk with a ten year old about, so we were not distracted from running by our conversations.  Second, he's a faster runner than me and I was always trying to keep up with him when we were running.  I had to push myself to have longer strides and go just a bit farther before taking a walk break.  He was gracious about when I needed to walk and was excited to be doing the run anyways.

So, while I am out today getting my new sandals I have been waiting for, I also need to pick up a neat treat for my buddy since he did help me make my goal and was totally cool running with me even though we had to walk some too!