![\"race\"](\"http:\/\/www.relishments.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/race.jpg\" "\\"race\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nIf I\u2019d trained and the weather hadn\u2019t been iffy (the showers did actually stop for the race), my goal would\u2019ve been a sub-30 minute race, a goal set for me by Heather<\/a> after our last race in July.\u00a0 Yesterday, I didn\u2019t think such a fast run would be possible, especially with the wet pavement.<\/p>\n So, I ran the best I could.\u00a0 Brian took off almost immediately, but I worked hard not to overexert myself at the beginning.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather start out slow and finish strong than the reverse.\u00a0 The 5k is followed by the North Adams Fall Foliage Parade, so the race route was lined with people including a few familiar faces.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want the crowds to see me walking, so I pushed myself to run longer than usual and took fewer walking breaks.<\/p>\n In the end it paid off.\u00a0 When I rounded the final corner, I was amazed to see the clock read just over 29 minutes.\u00a0 Was it possible?\u00a0 Could I cross the finish line in less than 30 minutes?\u00a0 I tried to pick up my pace as much as possible and watched the clock as it seemed to move in slow motion.<\/p>\n Miraculously, I crossed the line at 29:41.\u00a0 I was ecstatic.<\/p>\n I quickly found Brian, who finished at 26:46, and had a cup of water.\u00a0 We celebrated our excellent times (he hardly even trained!) and headed home.<\/p>\n It was the perfect finish to my first race season, even if my legs are really sore today.<\/p>\n