While the course was fairly isolated (you are in a park in the winter), it felt good to just run free. For the first time in months I didn't have a marathon hanging over my head. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of the way that I trained for the marathon, it was just daunting. I knew going into this race that I didn't want to run too hard. I wanted to push myself some, but I had to remember that my body went through a lot 6 days ago and to not do anything stupid.
After my first mile I made myself slow down slightly as I went out a little faster than my goal. Miles 2 and 3 were more on track with what I promised myself I would try to run. I was pleasantly surprised when I finished and realized that I ended up only about 40 seconds off of my PR. Not too shabby!