A pleasant surprise: BIG 5K XC run

My wife talked me into running a local 5K; this was the Brain Injury Group 5K (designed to raise money for programs for people with brain injuries).

Frankly, I only went because my wife wanted to; I wasn’t that excited about it.

But I found out that it was 100 percent on grass; basically one runs a series of laps around a soccer field. This is the oft-used high school 3 mile course with a .1 mile segment added.

That was a pleasant surprise!

I started off easily (sort of) and took the first mile in 8:28, hanging back. Then I started to go after people just a bit. Though I gained on the pack, I ran 8:48 for the second mile; I was slowing but gaining. I passed two more in the last mile (8:57) and then 53 seconds to finish it up in 27:08.

I was gasping for breath as the intensity (even at this snail like pace) is unusual for me.

Barbara walked it in 55:30 but was the only woman in her age group.

This race should be publicized as being totally “off road” as to attract the trail running crowd.

I enjoyed myself, got some areobic exercise and hope to do a swim/walk double workout tomorrow.