I started the year with my two slowest times for the Goofy Challenge, but every other race this year resulted in a new personal best.

• 4/11/2010: 10 miler (1:35:02)
• 5/16/2010: 5K (26:20)
• 5/23/2010: half marathon (2:02:55)
• 6/19/2010: 10 miler (1:33:42)
• 6/20/2010: 10K (54:57)

On Saturday, June 26, I ran another 5K, and I wondered if I could keep the streak going. It had been awhile since my last 5K, and I had been running strong.

It was also pretty hot out that day! But I lined up towards the front and decided to give it a shot.

Mile 1: 833
Mile 2: 8:36

I started well … but despite having done this race before, I forgot about how challenging that last mile was. Up a small hill, hairpin turn, and then continue up an overpass. In the blazing sun. I just couldn’t hold my pace.

Mile 3: 8:49

I know, not too bad … but once again I slowed down for that last mile!

I gave it all I could for the last .1 (or .06 according to Garmin), but it wasn’t enough.

Still, I wasn’t too far off at 26:28 — and this is  now my second best 5K. I’m kind of relieved to have ended that PR streak, anyway!

And I’m quite pleased with the results — 30th overall out of 412, and 6th out of 75 in my age group. This was a women-only race, and there were runners and walkers … but I’m still happy with that!