Run for the Pies 5K + New Blog Launch

Run for the Pies 5K

The start of summer, year in and year out, is marked by the Run for the Pies 5K, a race that serves as a benchmark for the runner looking to improve upon their times throughout summer and into the fall. For me, it was a chance to chase a PR and see if the 60 mile weeks I'm putting in really do pay off.

I arrived at The Landing with plenty of time to warm up and then watch the elite race, which some teammates were running in. As always, it proved to be an entertaining footrace, with an unusual amount of PRs set in the hot and muggy conditions the night presented. Turns out, the course was only 2.9 miles, an outcome I hoped would not come with the completion of the open race.

After some striders I felt ready to go, and lined up behind Cody, a teammate who would be pacing me. We got a good start and quickly settled into position. The first mile was in a rather pedestrian 5:50, my fastest first mile despite my urge to start out at a better clip. Still, I pushed forth. The second mile went out and back, including the dreaded cone in the middle of the road. Mile 2 was clocked in 5:55. I was following the typical drift of splits, getting progressively slower. With about 1K to go, I went and used the somewhat downhill finish to my advantage. Mile 3 was in 5:53, and the last tenth in 39 seconds. I snuck in just under 18:20, my official time being 18:19, which is also an official PR. Best of all, I earned my first Pie, a (temporary) badge of honor for area runners. To top off the night, I got 5th in the age group, earning myself a medal. With more mileage, some of which will be at altitude, I will be able to whittle my 5K time down into the low 17s.

New Blog: "Faranji!"

While reading the last sentence of the previous paragraph, you may have done a double take. Sorry, but there are no typos, and I did intend on using the word "altitude". This summer, for 17 days, I will be in Ethiopia training at altitude with some elites, as well as garnering some service hours for various volunteering opportunities. My mom, dad, and I are participating in the Visit and Train program through Running Across Borders (RAB), an organization that helps provide living accommodations and job opportunities for Ethiopian runners trying to reach elite status in athletics. The RAB camp is located at 7,600 feet above sea level, providing the perfect environment for training. I will chronicle my experiences, day in and day out, at my new blog, aptly named "Faranji!", which means foreigner in Ethiopian Amharic. The departure date is July 11th, so stay tuned as I gear up for this amazing experience!