Gridiron Gallop 5k!

First 5K = SUCCESS!

After a night of not careful preparation (too much food and beer), Jon and I woke up early(ish) yesterday to go run our first 5k together. Thankfully, it didn't rain during the race like we'd feared, so that's a perk. It was just overcast with a slight drizzle at points. We were running a bit late, but since I'd pre-registered, it didn't take too long to get our numbers on and get situated at the 50 yard line in Peden Stadium for the start of the race:

See? All ready for the start!
Quick photo of me in my official 5k runner get-up. This bib is now on my frige.

At 10am, they started the race and off we went. Here's the path we followed:


We run around here (especially the return part on the bike path) all the time, so it was interesting to see how it went. I was REALLY proud of myself. I'm used to running between 12-13 minute miles (occasionally 11) but, according to my un-official iPod measurements my mile breakdown was really surprising. I had been aiming to complete the 5k in under 36:00, so I'm really pumped. My ipod told me that I ran the 5k in 32:45, so these are probably slightly off since my official 5k time was 31:14!!! but here are my mile break downs:

Mile 1: 10:34
Mile 2: 10:58
Mile 3: 10:41
I'm especially pleased with this breakdown since it shows that I was able to maintain a steady pace the whole time on my own. I didn't walk at all and I actually ended up passing some people who started out too fast and ended up walking. This mile pace also tells me that I can definitely push myself harder in training and hit an 11-minute mile regular pace.

Jon was there to cheer me on at the finish line (he finished in 25:28, I'm so proud!) and we went on together to get our tee-shirts and goodie bags. Here's a quick shot we got someone to take of us while waiting in line:

Look at us, all nice and sweaty. :)

This is the snack we got in the recovery tent:



Then, THIS is what we found buried in just MY goodie bag:

Ick!

I wanted to throw it all out, but Jon's going to pawn it off on people at work. It really is a testament to how much my/our eating habits have changed that when I saw all that food, it disgusted me and I DEFINITELY had no desire to eat it. More oranges and bananas, please!

Anyways, the run was a success. Then, to keep with the running theme of the day, Jon and I drove up to Cbus to get the packets for the half/5k next week. We also used the race discount and picked up 2 free tech tank tops and new running shoes (photos later). I also went and got a second set of running clothes. Exactly the same as what I have, but the top this time is yellow. Woo! I think I earned it. As far as my garmin... still no updates on USPS tracking. I'm getting impatient! Well, that's all for now! C25K = SUCCESS!!!