PR? Yes.

The I-Drive U Run 5K: No scenery. Next to a huge convention center hotel (Gaylord Palms). Out and back course along one side of a divided four lane blacktop. 80 degree temperatures. Humid. Middle of nowhere that was a cow pasture about 6 years ago.

Warm up: I jogged out a half mile along the course and came back, throwing a few pick up strides towards the end. Loose and ready.

Race: Started near the front and had no traffic to work around. That's my biggest peeve. A number of folks passed me but I was doing fine. It took me nearly a mile to regulate my breathing to a level that seemed familiar from training. I wasn't quite sure which running pace I was going but at the first mile the timer shouted out 7:24. WHAT?!?
The guy next to me says, "His timing is sure off." I glanced at my watch and said, "You're right." He was fast, but not by much.
Mile 2 was fluid and I felt strong. At the two mile mark I knew a PR was coming but I was concerned about bonking down the pace. I plugged along, passing people, then saw the finish line.

23.26.1 on my watch.

PR. No small PR. No. We're talking 51 seconds off my PR of May. The May PR was 25 seconds better than the previous PR in early 2004. Something has happened that amazes me. I have reached a new plateau of performance. I have never felt so good and run so fast.
I will emphasize and pay homage to this fact: Fast = more miles + interval speed work.

Recap. 51 seconds faster. 7:33 mile pace. I only dreamed of going sub 8:00 when I started racing in 2001. Regrets: I saw a few other serious runners from my Sunday morning long run gang. After the race as I was getting ready to leave I saw them coming back from some long warm down runs which I skipped. My Labor Day race plan asked for me to race a 10K today. I settled for the only race in town 5K. Tomorrow is supposed to be eight miles. I'll go 10 or 11 instead to make up.
I was also not so happy with positive splits, 7:24, 7:33 and 7:43, but they were better than my last PR splits across the board. I'll do better next time.