Instead of a long run this weekend, my training plan called for a 5K race.

I was really glad the plan called for something nice and short since I running by myself. It's funny how after just two weeks of doing long runs with other people, I was not looking forward to running solo.

But a quick 5K, well I could handle that.

I wasn't actually registered for a race, so I just planned to do my normal 5K route and push the pace like I would if I were in an actual race. In the end I ran 3.25 miles, slightly longer than a 5K.

The weather was beautiful this weekend and I was able to wear shorts and a t-shirt without freezing. I stretched a bit and then pushed start on Garmin and I was off on my "race."

Just like in a race, I started out much too fast. I chalk that up to the majority of the first mile being downhill.

Mile two started a nice uphill climb and my pace definitely dropped off a bit.

The rest of the course rolled between long, steady climbs and easier flat stretches. I pushed the pace hard the whole time and ended with an average of 8:53 per mile.

Here are the individual splits:
Mile 1: 8:48
Mile 2: 9:00
Mile 3: 9:04
Last .25: 2:04

It's a bummer they were positive splits, but starting out on a downhill and then ending on an uphill will do that I guess.

All in all it was a fun change of pace to do a fast run over the weekend instead of a longer, slower run.