7:23 minute miles? Me?

So, I ran my first 5k today. I've learned some lessons.

Last year, I ran three half marathons, a marathon, and a 10k. The 5k is a little different, because it's so short: you can't warm up during the run. So I found out. I've always had a harder time with the first mile or two of a race... and I didn't warm up before this one. I was too busy parking (168th and Fort Washington Avenue in NYC), then chatting with my friend George... and I basically spaced on warming up.

So I ran the first mile in 8:23. That's the fastest race mile I've recorded.

Then, I tried to pick it up. It was a pretty hilly course, up to Fort Tryon park, so the last 1.25 miles were initially spent recovering from that. But I managed to finish the race at a sprint, which felt good.

The amazing thing: I finished in 23:53, which meant I averaged 7:23/mile for the last 2.1 miles.

For many, that's no big deal. Me? I'm just blown away that I've come this far. I am SO lucky to have gotten past those difficult parts of my life that could've killed me. I'm SO lucky.

My daughter just asked if she could show me a Hula Dance. Gotta go.