I'm back!

My last 5K was in April, right before I started this whole daily running thing. My time was pretty horrific and I am still too embarrassed to even list it here. Over the years, I'll go in and out of running shape, but I'm rarely THAT out of shape.

Today was a fresh start. We ran the Salisbury Greenway 5K and I was determined to make a better showing. I started out stronger than I had planned and was shocked and delighted to hear 7:55 at my first split. The turnaround was shortly after that.

I've always liked out and back races because you get to see almost everybody else running: the really fast ahead of you on their way back, and those behind you when you're on your second leg. (It's especially fun when get to see your speedster little sister among the top 3 women and feel ridiculously proud.)

My mom was ahead of me when we started the race, but I was pretty sure I had passed her in the first mile. After the turnaround, I kept looking for her among the approaching runners. She had killed me at that last 5K so I really hoped to see her behind me. When I spotted her, and she saw me, ahead, she called out to me, "You're back!"

And, indeed, I feel like I'm back, running wise. My knee did not bother me at all, I came through mile 2 at 16:25, and finished in 25:25! That might be a post-high school PR for me... I need to comb through my mom's racing journal to find all my old times.

So, I'm happy! Let's hope for as much success with my long run tomorrow!