Citadel Breakaway Series 5k #1

The first of five races that are part of the Citadel Breakaway Series fell on the hottest day we have experienced this year.

I watched the temperature rise all day on Tuesday.  I was hoping that the pop up storm would knock it down a little, but as it got closer to the start of the race (6:30pm) the heat index was already back to 107...

A small group of forty or so runners gathered on the Citadel track.  We were given last minute instructions and then told to GO!

It was crazy hot from the beginning.  I ran around the track way too fast (my son was watching from the bleachers).

We made a loop around the school and then out to Hampton Park.  There was a water station at this point (going out and coming back).  I dumped a cup of water over my head and kept going.

Luckily, we were shaded by the trees for some of the way around the park.  I picked up a cup of water on the way back in and went back around the school.  The race ended with a run across a field to the finish line on the track.

Other than the heat, this was a great race.  I loved running around the Citadel and Hampton Park.  My time of 25:10 was good enough for eighth overall and second in what would have been my age/gender group.  I really think I would have set a PB if it were not for the intense heat and humidity.


Recap for the week:

Sunday - Rest
Monday - Recovery Run - five slow miles
Tuesday - Race - 5k
Wednesday - five miles (ended up being a tempo run)
Thursday - seven mile (afternoon run) - way too hot