Panther XC Open 5K

I ran the Panther XC Open 5K Saturday. It was a very warm, sunny and humid morning. The temperature was at 75° before the race even started. It was just going to keep getting warming as the day went on.

This race was run on a high school cross country course. We had a little of everything: grass, dirt, trail, gravel and concrete. Also throw into the mix; a few hills.

I started the race near the front and was the second woman. Parts of the course were changed from last year. The parts that were eliminated were uneven and had holes all over. I was happy that it was changed because I didn't want to twist my ankles, but I always wear ankle braces when running on cross country courses. The grass that we ran over was thick and plush. It made it kind of difficult to pick up your feet. I ran over the grass that was already bent down due to the others ahead of me running on it.

I crossed the first mile in 8:50. I considered that good on a cross country course. It was during the second mile that a few people passed me. After running up a huge hill, a guy passed me. Immediately after the hill was a flat part of the course. I told myself to get going. I knew that there were ladies coming up behind me. Running into the woods, two ladies passed me. I wasn't too happy about that. I wanted to stay with the first lady that passed me, but she just started running away. The second lady that passed me was a 12 year old girl. I was able to stick to her. I ran in a straight line and she kept going from left to right. A few times I thought my legs were going to get tangled with hers. The young girl did a good job of holding me off for a while. She would speed up and create a gap. I would continue on my pace and catch up to her. Then she would speed up again and I would catch her. I finally passed her for good after a couple of times.

With less then a mile to go, I went around a curve and saw a purple shirt behind me. Another lady was chasing me down. Coming out the woods, she passed me on a long grassy straightaway. I wanted to keep up with her, but was unable to. I just knew I needed to keep up a good pace to stay ahead of the young girl I passed in the woods.

Coming out of the woods, we ran on the warning track of the high school baseball field. I loved running on flat gravel surface. No need to look down for fear of tripping over tree roots of rocks. Leaving the baseball field, we ran towards the football field on grass. Passing through a gate and down a hill to the football field, I just couldn't wait to cross the finish line. Coming onto the football field, the time clock read 29 minutes. I didn't realize it was taking me so long. I pushed myself to finish strong and crossed the line in 30:25. I was the fourth overall woman and I was second in my age group. The woman that was first in my age group was the overall winner.

The next two races will be run on cross country courses. They are tough, but I like the challenge of the course.