Centerton Fire Run 5K Race Recap

On Saturday, I participated in the Centerton Fire Run 5K.  This is a smaller 5K that supports the Centerton Volunteer Fire Department.  This was my second year running in the race.  It takes place in a neighborhood and includes several small hills during the race.  The race is also entirely devoid of shade which isn't exactly pleasant when the temps are warm and humid.

Me at the race start (in the R jersey towards the left of center)

Race time was 7:45 AM and the temps were high 70's and high humidity at that time.  About 120 people took part in the 5K and more took part in the mile fun run.  I didn't have very big goals for this race...my goal was just to get back into something more quick than my recent 5K's at the end of sprint triathlons.  I started out with a 9:08 pace for the first mile and while really good for me, I didn't have the confidence to sustain that in both the heat and hilly conditions.  I ended the race with a time of 29:52 which was 2 min. slower than last year but anything under 30 min. is a good 5K for me!  The best part of the race was the downhill finish that included going under a sprinkler (quite a big sprinkler since it was a fire truck!) After the race they turned the hose on full force so AJ dragged me to run through it. 

Here's a shot of the downhill finish and the fire truck sprinkler!

AJ and I running through the downpour!

After the race and awards, AJ and I headed out for an easy bike ride.  AJ had just completed 2 days of RAGBRAI and still kicked my butt on the bike! It was 10AM by the time we started and really hot.  The lesson of the day was to avoid stopping because that is when the heat was most unbearable.

Getting ready to head out on our bikes.