More PR for Thin Traders

I stayed up too late and slept in too long. I had time for breakfast and read some newspaper but allowed almost too little time to make it to the race this morning. As I pulled into the parking garage I heard the PA man say, "Three minutes until the start of the You Can Finish 5-Miler." I had resolved to start late if necessary and just run across the mat and work for the chip time. I put on my race number and jogged down to the start, with about 20 seconds to spare before the air horn went off.
I used the first mile to warm up, reining in my inclination to run fast. During that first mile I worked through light traffic and didn't hurry to pass anyone. I thought about race strategy in that first mile, deciding to just go easy the first two, try to not drop off in mile 3 or 4 then kick it in the fifth mile for a PR.
There were a number of hairpin turns and track backs that allowed us to see the front runners. At mile two the leaders were scooting past the nearby three mile marker. Geesh. My first two miles were 8:15.6 and 8:01.2. I guess I went off plan in that second mile.
The third mile was the most scenic. It ran straight across the heart of the campus, along tree lined paths, by fountains and the administrative palace. I held the third mile in 8:03.4 and slowed to swallow some Excel (?) water at the stop. I would not usually do that in a 5-mile race but the heat (80 degrees) and humidity (3000%) was taxing. Mile four and five were an out and back along a winding boring road. Wheezers were saying to anyone listening, "Where the f^#@ is the turnaround?" I just kept motoring yet the slow up for water cost me: 8:10.0.
I figured a PR would be close and, since I still had plenty of stamina, the home stretch was inviting. I forgot exactly where they said the finish line was but when I remembered it would be by the arena I could sense I was close. I went into my stride kick the last 150 yards and finished out with a 7:54.4 mile for a total 40:24.6 that beat my previous PR time of 40:48, a 23 second improvement.
Now it's off to work and see about closing schools tomorrow while Wilma tromps through the peninsula. I look forward to Tuesday: predicted sunny skies and a high of only 68!