I was feeling pretty good today when I started my run. I had a nice pace going down around the bottom of the school and all the way up the hill. Normally when I get to the light at Carmel Country Road, I have to stop and wait, which really makes it hard for me to get back into my rhythm (not to mention the time I waste waiting). Today as I approached the light, a car pulled up to go straight. I pushed hard, hoping the light would change by the time I got there. It did. I ran straight across Carmel Country without slowing down. I knew it would be a good run.

As I neared the top of Graydon Road, I felt like I had set a PR for the hill climb. I cut down to the light at Del Mar Heights Road and it was red. I was upset, but not extremely. I needed to catch my breath. When the light turned green, I took off and never looked back. I kept a good pace all the way to the turn-around spot just after the 5k mark. I promised myself that if I set a PR for the 5k, that I could take a break there and just walk home. When I got there, I checked. Yes, I had a new PR for my 5k.

I stood there for a minute, drinking water and washing some salt off my face. Then started walking back. I didn’t really feel like walking, so it quickly turned into a nice slow jog. That was just what I needed. When I got home I felt great.