Could I be...fast?

First race of the season today. It was the O'Hartford 5k. The weather was cool and windy, but the rain held off. It was great to be in the race atmosphere again. Since I have only done two speed workouts this year, I didn't have a specific goal - though I thought 22:30 would be nice (7:15/mi pace).

After weaving through a few people for the first minute or so, I was running my comfortable pace. I hit the first mile marker in just under 7:00. Despite the course-description-described small hill up ahead (which was more of a half mile steady incline), I felt good. I kept up the pace, maybe even increasing some. I hit the second mile marker at about 13:45. I had run the second mile a couple seconds faster than the first, and I still felt good. The third mile showed no less hills, though I was able to increase my pace yet again. I crossed the finish line in a decent sprint; though the pictures will show a 15 year old (you can see in the results) blowing by me. Regardless, I looked down at my watch - a personal best of 21:11, or 6:49/mi.

I was tired, but not completely drained. Last year, when I first broke 7:00/mi for a 5k, it took everything I had. I could barely speak, let alone move after crossing the finish line. The temperature was warmer, there was no wind, far less hills...so today I couldn't help but wonder...what could I have run today? More importantly, what can I run in the future. My first 5k was in 2008, and I ran it in over 27:00. My races typically improve over the course of the year, and this year I ran my fastest time ever, with barely any speed training?

I don't mean for this to sound like bragging, because it's certainly not. There were 76 people there today far faster than I am, and many far faster than I'll ever be. I am, however, intrigued and now motivated to push myself harder. If I train a little harder, continue eating well, and keep up with the core/balance exercises, is there any way I could run a 5k in under 20:00? I had never thought that would be possible for me - but now I am wondering. I still enjoy training for longer races, but I think I can mix in the right amount of speed training.

Today was a great way to start the race season. Spirits were high, the post race food and drink were fantastic, and I was able to set a PR. I ran a relatively comfortable pace...I just didn't expect that pace to be a PR...