Spring Into Summer 5K

Muggy weather did not deter over 300 walkers and runners who participated in this morning's 5k race and one mile fun run. Congrats to Race Director Christina Mitchelson and the many volunteers from Take the First Step. It was still drizzling when I arrived at 6:45, but 8:00 race time, the sun was shining, and we all benefited from slightly cooled temperature as the result of rains during the last 24 hours.
This is actually a great race for turning in a good time, at least if you, like me, are not especially bothered by the heat. I ran a lifetime PR, so I'm on a cloud today. The triathlon training I've been doing lately has had quite a favorable effect on my running. I think it's specifically the spinning and weight training. I worried that I had not had time to recover from the Madeira Beach Triathlon last weekend, but I guess I had recovered well enough. After thirty years of running, I broke 26 minutes for the first time. Woohoo! 
If you missed today's race, you will have plenty of opportunities to race 5K's at Al Lopez Park this summer. Take the First Step Club is putting on its second 5k Summer Series. Check the dates by going to the Run Tampa Race Calendar link in the menu bar. They are low key afternoon affairs. I will be there, and I hope to see you there, too.
 Click here to see all 52 race photos.