Cool Summer Morning 5k Series – Race #4: Hawaiian Beach Party Race Recap

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Over the weekend, I ran the last of my races in the Cool Summer Morning 5k Series. My goal was to finish in under 30 minutes and to get a new PR. So happy to report, I crushed that goal and have a new PR of 28:54. Back in 2011, I did have a PR for 29:23 but I know that course was short (by a pretty decent amount) so I always hated “counting” that race as  PR so I’m glad this once even beat that time so I know I have a true legit PR on an accurate course! Nothing new to report about the race itself other than the theme. It was Hawaiian Beach Party themed and they did a great job with the décor around the start and post-race events. A few people got in character and wore coconut bras and grass skirts for the run. As I was running, I kept thinking about if I was going to be able to PR or not. I was feeling SO amped about it, which definitely helped me push through! After my first two miles, I saw that without a doubt, even if I slowed down to a 10 minute mile, I’d still hit my 30 minutes goal, I kind of slowed down a little bit, but overall I just felt SO great during the entire run. Tired sure, but great! Running and racing are both very mental activities, and I was in a great mental mindset that morning. I had been feeling great about my weight loss journey and how I felt and looked and even with going to bed super late (for me) the night before the race, I was able to have great results!

I met up with a few of the MRTT Mommas that I knew before the race (one who I’ve ran with a few times since Race #3, I met her shortly after and she’s awesome!). Proud to say she, another girl, and myself (daughter of one of our Mommas) all took 3^rd place in our age group divisions! We didn’t know it at the time, but we have taken this picture together right after the race. 

the 3rd place girls

Unfortunately, I never thought I’d come close to placing, and I had someone watching my kids that morning so I left shortly after finishing. Because of this, I missed my chance on the podium! My first time ever placing and I missed receiving my award (which was just a glass stating division winner) and my glory of standing on the podium. I’m a little bummed about that, but still feels pretty dang awesome to get 3^rd. 

my podium shot that I'm missing from

Next summer I’ll be in the 30-34 age group, and looks like if I keep it up, I should have the opportunity to place next year! One of the many things I love about small, local races is the fact that there is less competition in the age groups! My first race in the series I came in at 33:14, so reducing my time to 28:54 is a huge improvement in 3 months!

Since this was the 4^th race in the series, and I completed them all, I also got an extra medal! My medal collection for 2015 is huge, so far I have 15!

I have absolutely loved this race series and am sad to see it end. I cannot wait to do it again next year (and see even more improvements!)

Official Chip Time: 28:54 (overall pace of 9:19)
Place: 89 of 359 Finishers

Place: 41 of the 233 Women Finishers
Place: 3 of 22 in my Women’s Age Division (25-29)

My Runkeeper stats:

3.13 miles in 29:02 (overall pace of 09:17)
Splits:
Mile 1: 9:10
Mile 2: 9:16
Mile 3: 9:42
.13 mile: 07:14 <--finish line sprint