Today I ran my first race of the year - St. Patty's Day 8K in Hagerstown, MD. My pace was SLOW as expected, about 4 minutes slower than the 8K I ran last year. Fortunately, there was no nor'easter to contend with but there were lots of hills! (After uploading my Garmin, I probably need to say that the total elevation gain was only 118 feet...really not as hilly as it seemed). I am sure that slowed me down a bit. I ran the first mile strong and then tuckered out pretty quickly in the small hills in the cemetery. I thought I was underdressed but it turned out that I was a bit overdressed and probably should have lost the layer before the halfway point. There was only one water stop on the course and one or two places (cemetery and just after leaving the City Park) that could have been marked better as multiple distances were available. There was a nor'easter earlier in the week and so it was neat to run next to piles of snow. I need to do better at taking pictures along the course.
Pace was slow today, I'm a little worried because Cherry Blossom is in two weeks and my run times are a little slow right now. Why does it look like I have eye liner on in this picture? I don't wear make up. It must be the Rodan and Fields Lash Boost!