This morning I ran the Parley P. Pratt Memorial Freedom Run. This is the annual run that celebrates a jail break. The entry fee this year was reduced from $1 to FREE and also free post-race pancakes which looked like may have doubled attendance over last year. Temps were in the upper 70s with humidity but a lot of the course was shaded by the trees since this race is 2 miles out and back on the MKT trail, Also, a very flat course.
We arrived about 45 minutes early and I thought about warming up, but didn't do so. My goal today was to run a sub 25 which would be a new 4 mile PR for me. The race started about 8 am and we lined up on the grass and then would quickly merge onto the trail. Immediately, I found myself going a little fast so slowed it down just a bit and let the super fast sub 23 and sub 24 guys go ahead. I was thinking maybe I could do a 6:10 average pace. My first mile split was 6:11. I passed one guy that apparently started a little fast and at this point was in 5th place overall.
The second mile was the turn around point. I really wanted some water to pour on me, but didn't take the time. Second mile split was 5:53. I was a little concerned this was too fast, but feeling good other than the heat and humidity. At this point, I could see everyone else and received lots of encouragement.
Third mile split was 6:08 and it was getting more difficult to maintain the pace. I was losing it a little mentally since I was thinking if I can run this last mile in 7 min, I will still have a decent time. I pushed on and saw Matt D. ahead of me. I'm thinking, I could probably catch him if I pushed. I pushed a little, but didn't catch him.
Fourth mile split was 6:17 and I placed 5th overall out of over 100 people. Final time was 24:29 which is a 43 second PR over my 4 miler in April. My time was also a course PR, 47 second faster than 2 years ago. My 6:07 pace was only 2 seconds slower than my 5K PR. Hugh ran a sub 30 at 29-something and a PR for him too.
Considering the heat, I am extremely pleased by this performance. If it had been a cool day, I'm sure I would have run even faster. I never dreamed I could run it sub:24:30 today.
After the race, had some pancakes, collected my special bead for running the race, talked with some people, and then headed home.
Still can't get over your speediness even in heat...you da man!
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