September 6th,  Sunday

Today I finally got the courage to get off my butt and run a 5k for Jason’s Memorial event. I was very apprehensive with my still aching toe. I assumed that that my legs would be light after a five-day hiatus from running. I chose to stay at home and run around the block as I did with Rob a month or so ago for I different virtual race. A 5k is about 6 and a half laps around my neighborhood block.  I did about a 20 minute warm up with several 25 stride pickups along the way.  I thought my sense of timing would be way off, nut managed to keep steady  low 8 minute pace for the first mile to my surprise. Running steady and relaxed, I managed to hit 2 miles  16:48. I decided to push the pace pretty hard in 3rd mile as I was getting somewhat fatigued. The goal was to run a 3rd mile under 9 minutes, which is something I have not done yet in a 5K race. I continued to push and managed a 8:59 mile.  (25:46)  Realising that I could break 27 minutes for this effort, I pushed the final 176 yards in 53 seconds. Final time 26:40!   This surpassed all of my expectations.   I believe that  under ideal conditions in a competitive environment I may be capable of breaking 26 minutes at this time.  This performance has prompted me to want to compete in the Shore AC adult cross-country program that is conducted during late September and October.  It consists of six 5K races on consecutive Sunday mornings at various cross-country venues throughout Monmouth County, including two at Holmdel Park.  I think it will add a  heightened focus to my training for the next two months.

STATS-

Sore toe was a non-factor.

No foot or leg issues

Sleep, weight and diet are all in the 9 / 10 range.