Evening Run Recap

pretty setting for an evening race

Friday evening I ran a small local fundraiser 5k. It was in a different geographic direction than I usually go for races, but one of the races last weekend was out that direction as well, and I've enjoyed both races, so I may look for more in that area. It feels farther away than it really is, so I just need to get over my mental block.

As I said, it was an evening race with a 6:30 pm start, so it was still light outside, unlike last week's glow run. The sun was retreating behind the trees, but it was still nice and bright and no visibility issues. The coolish weather was quite nice for running, though the humidity levels were a bit higher than I prefer.

I really liked the course, but I didn't have a great run. My muscles were still fatigued from the two races the previous weekend, and I still don't have a good mileage base. The real issue I had though was with my socks in the third mile.

My first two split times were very consistent, but my third mile was a whole minute slower. The first two miles were on the road, but the third mile was on a gravel trail through the woods. I love running through the woods, and the third mile should have been faster, but my feet were killing me and I had to walk more than I would have liked. It was really weird: the pads of both heels were burning. Not blistered, just burning. I was wearing SmartWool wool socks, but I've worn them hiking and in one of the races last weekend without any problems. I'm not sure what was different this time, but something definitely wasn't working for me. As soon as I crossed the finish line I pulled off my shoes and socks and walked around barefoot for awhile, and my feet started feeling better. Whatever the reason, I won't be wearing wool socks while running races.

I want to do this race again next year when I'm in better shape and not wearing wool socks.

I ran 3.09 miles in 34:59. I'm pleased with the consistency of my first two miles.
1st mile: 10:56
2nd mile: 11:00
3rd mile: 12:07

10 races so far in 2016

Month	Event	Time
January	New Year’s Day 5k	33:01
February	Frostbite 5k	37:37
February	Mud Run	1:35:37
March	4k Walk	33:19
March	March 5k	33:49
March	Pi Day Virtual 5k	1:01:30
March	Obstacle Race	44:06
April	Glow Run	35:16
April	April 5k	41:15
April	Evening Run	34:59

21 races towards my 40 by 40 goal

	Date	Event	Distance	Event Type
1.	July 2015	4th of July 5k	5k	Pregnant
2.	August	4 Mile Fun Run	4 miles	Road Race
3.	September	All Terrain	5k	Mixed surface
4.	October	Hill Valley Half	13.1 miles	Virtual half marathon
5.	October	Corn Maze 5k	5k	Corn Maze
6.	October	Kilted Trail 5k	5k	Kilted race
7.	November	Trail Half	13.6 miles	Trail Half
8.	November	Turkey Trot	5k	Road Race
9.	December	Veteran’s 5k	5k	Mixed surface
10.	December	Army Virtual Marathon	26.23 miles	Virtual marathon
11.	January 2016	New Year’s Day 5k	5k	Road race
12.	February	Frostbite 5k	5k	Cross country race
13.	February	Mud Run	4.8 miles	Mud run
14.	March	4k Walk	4k	Walk
15.	March	March 5k	5k	Road race
16.	March	Pi Day Virtual 5k	5k	Virtual 5k Walk
17.	March	10 mile race	Not applicable	Water stop volunteer
18.	March	Obstacle Race	5k	Obstacle run
19.	April	Glow Run	5k	Glow Run, 1st of 2 races in 12 hours
20.	April	April 5k	5k	Pushing jogger, 2nd of 2 races in 12 hours
21.	April	Evening Run	5k	Evening run