Running a 5K in the pouring rain

Woodinville race course

This morning was my cap-off-the-race-season 5K. It was north of the city (in Woodinville) and I had envisioned a lovely morning drive up there, running the race, maybe stopping in to visit friends we have up north. However, Mother Nature had another plan. How about lots of standing water on the course and a downpour during the race? I was completely soaked to the skin within minutes of the start. Standing water on the course is the worst because your shoes get all soaked and swishy. Despite the conditions, though, I had an excellent race and beat my target time. A very flat course however -  much flatter than I typical train on.

I was very glad given the conditions I was doing the 5K not the 10K. There were some very sorry-looking 10K souls as we were leaving the race area.

So, now my season really has ended. This was a nice little add-on mini-goal before my surgery this Wednesday.

Update: Too funny,I haven't done a running-only race in probably 10 years. In triathlon, I am a mid-pack finisher. I finished this race 10 out of 51 in my age group (40 - 49) and I would have actually placed first in the 50 - 59 age group. Clearly all the competative runners were doing the 10K.