Yesterday I ran a HUGE 10K PR at the 3-2-1 Loop Race!! But I can’t tell you about that yet, because first I need to recap last weekend’s St. Agnes 5K.  The 5K was a solid performance but just isn’t as exciting as my PR so I’ll keep this short!

Prior to March 5th, I hadn’t run a solo* 5K since December 13th.  That December race was more of a recovery run (immediately after a 5M/2M double) so in my mind, I hadn’t really raced a 5K since Thanksgiving Day.  After more than 14 weeks (including the holidays, a trip to Vegas, and zero speedwork), I decided it was time to get a new benchmark 5K time.  (*I’m not counting the 5K I ran with Piper because it didn’t really reflect my solo running ability… she pulls a bit!)

The St. Agnes 5K was held in West Chester, PA on the same downtown, double-loop course as the 2015 St. Pat’s 5K.  Last year on a rainy, 46°F afternoon I finished in 23:39.  This year the sun was out but the weather was much cooler at just 30°F. At 9AM I lined up with 135 other runners and we were off!

I took advantage of some early downhill and before I knew it the first mile was over in 7:24. Then the course swung right onto Market Street and I began a long, steady incline, passing the finish line and looping back around to the start. I got a breather during a nice downhill and mile 2 ended mid-hill with a 7:49 split. Not too bad, but I still had to climb up Market Street once more before I was done.

Last year I ran my final mile in 7:33 but had no energy left to kick up the hill for the final 0.1 mile. This year my third mile was slightly slower (7:44) but as the finish clock came into view I surged into a sprint, powered up the hill, and flew across the line. My final time? 23:38… 1 second faster than last year!

Finishing strong up Market Street! Photo Credit: St. Agnes 5K

I was happy with my time but not overwhelmingly so. Sure, the weather conditions were a little tougher than last year, but the race felt hard and I was really tired afterwards. I remember thinking that I had a lot of work to do to get back into “spring racing” shape…

But that was BEFORE I ran yesterday’s 10K!!  Recap of that race is coming very soon! 😀

Miles since last post: 65.2
Days since last post: 14
2016 MILES: 356.4

Past Races:
• February ’16: Pickle with Piper (2/20)
• January ’16: Pickle Trail Run (1/30)
• December ’15: Jingle Elf Run (12/3) [2M PR], Brian’s Run (12/5) [5M PR], Reindeer Romp 5K (12/13)
• November ’15: Trinity 5K (11/7), Seven Summits Turkey Trot (11/26) [5K PR]
• October ’15: BAAR 5K (10/3), Double OyVey 10K (10/25) [10K PR], Boo Run 5K (10/31)
• September ’15: Run-A-Muck Trail 5K (9/19)
• August ’15: Boxcar Mile (8/13), Pickle in the Streets 5K (8/27)
• June ’15: Media 5 Mile (6/19)
• May ’15: Broad Street 10 Mile Run (5/3) [10M PR], Rocky Run Trail 5K (5/15), Victory 5K (5/17)
• April ’15: Tyler Trail 10K (4/11) [10K PR], Empower the Children 5K (4/18), Haverford Twilight 5K (4/26) [5K PR]
• March ’15: Athlete’s Closet March 5K (3/7), St. Pat’s 5K (3/14), Granogue Trail 10K (3/21), Pickle Run #3 (3/28)
• February ’15: Athlete’s Closet February 5K (2/7), Pickle Trail Run #2 (2/21)
• January ’15: SRA New Year’s Day 5K (1/1), Athlete’s Closet January 5K (1/3), Pickle Run #1 (1/17)
• December ’14: Jingle Elf 2 Mile (12/5) [2M PR], Brian’s Run 5 Miler (12/7) [5M PR], Athlete’s Closet Holiday 5K (12/14)
• November ’14: Trinity Berwyn 5K (11/1)  [5K PR], Metal Run 5K (11/8), Seven Summits Turkey Trot (11/27)
• October ’14: Martin’s Run 5K (10/5), Fueled Up & Fired Up 5K (10/18), Bark in the Park 5K (10/25)
• September ’14: Talk 5K Trail Run (9/13), Run A Muck Trail Race (9/20), Haverford Township 5K (9/27)
• August ’14: Riddlewood 5K (8/3), Radnor Red Steeplechase (8/17), Pickle in the Streets 5K (8/28) [5K PR]
• July ’14: Cam’s ‘Moonlight’ 5K (7/10), Swarthmore Independence Eve 8K (7/18) [5M PR]
• June ’14: Radnor Conservancy 5K Trail Run (6/1), Media 5 Miler (6/20)
• May ’14: Elwyn 5K (5/3), Run for Victory 5K (5/18) [5K PR], Rocky Run 5K Trail Run (5/30)
• April ’14: Las Vegas Security 5K (4/3), Rick’s Run 5K (4/19), St. Tim’s 5K (4/26)
• March ’14: Athlete’s Closet March 5 Miler (3/1), Color Out Cancer 5K (3/30)
• February ’14: Athlete’s Closet February 5K (2/1)
• January ’14: Athlete’s Closet January 5K (1/4)
• December ’13: Athlete’s Closet December 5K (12/14), New Year’s Eve YMCA 5K (12/31) [5K PR]
• November ’13: Trinity Presbyterian 5K (11/2), Turkey Trot 5K (11/28)
• October ’13: Fueled Up & Fired Up 5K (10/19), Oy Vey 5K (10/27) [5K PR]
• September ’13: Run-a-Muck 5K (9/21)
• The Challenge Begins: 100 Mile iPad Mini Challenge (7/23/13)