Run For A Safe Haven - Robin

Date/Location:	November 5, 2011 - Sacramento, Ca
Distance:	5K
Time:	19:46
Place:	1st, W30-39

I needed a 5K to get ready for the baby stroller race at the Davis Turkey Trot.  This could be my last year pushing Ariel so I want to make it count and try to break the record of 20:23, as well as holding off my friend, Dave Campbell, who will push his granddaughter.  My goal is to try and run under 20 minutes today (sub 6:27 pace) without Ariel, and later run close to 20 min with her.  It's a bit of a stretch considering I've had a tiring week following the Victory Velo Duathlon.  It's in God's hands so any result is His will as long as I do my best.
I had the family stay home and get some extra sleep.  With only myself to worry about, I get to the race early and can take my time warming up and stretching.  I get to watch the kids races, too..so cute! 
It's really cold!  I opt to wear my beanie.  I really wish I had some gloves too!  I have to keep my jacket on until the very last minute to keep some warmth despite my shorts and short-sleeves!
On your mark, get set, go!  The horn goes off and we take off.  I hear the horn go again and wonder if there was a false start...which would be surprising considering this is a pretty low key race.  The horn continues to blow off and on and no one is stopping.  Okay, it must be someone having fun back there. 
We are running through very flat Land Park.  I know this course well from the Zoo Zoom 10K.  The nice thing today is I only have to do one loop...short and sweet!  A Fleet Feet girl, another girl w/headphones and 2 guys take off at a fast pace.  I decide to hold back and stick to 6:27 pace for now.  Another Fleet Feet girl and a guy in gray pass me.  Liking their pace better, I stick to them.
Mile 1 is 6:27.  Okay, that felt good.  Let's see what I can do now.  I catch up to the 2nd FF girl and we run together for a bit.  We are getting closer to the headphones girl so I pick up the pace to catch her.  I pull up on headphone's shoulder and tell her good job.  She surges and I surge back and push the pace to pass her.  I now focus in on the guy in gray and close the gap.
Mile 2 is 6:17.  I'm feeling strong but I'm unsure if I can go any faster.  I only have one mile left so I go for it.  I pass the guy in gray and look ahead to the next guy in blue.  As I look down at my watch, I can see I'm running sub 6:10 pace...I'm excited but I know I'm on the edge.  With 1/3 of a mile to go, I catch the guy in blue and tell him to push it to the end.
Mile 3 is 6:09!  Wow, I can see the clock and I'm going to be under 20 minutes!!  The blue guy and I are neck-in-neck.  We both surge to the finish and he nips me at the line.  I give him a high five and tell him good job.  Wow, Lord!  Thanks so much for the chance to run this fast!  It should help prepare me for what's to come in Davis.  We'll see!