Out and Back Party Run

My wife and I headed into the city last night for the 'Out and Back Party Run'(course) with our friends Jim and Jess.  After I met the three of  them at the train in Elwyn we headed into the city for Carrie and Jess's first race.  The weather was perfect,minus the 5 min rain shower just after we picked up our packets. I had decided I was going to push it this race and see what happened.  When the cannon went off for the start it was a mad dash and I attempted to stay towards the front and did a pretty solid job staying with the pack for the first mile.  The first mile marker was a little early as I ran it in 5:45 which was much faster than the pace felt.  I hit the 2 mile turn around at 12:20 which felt right for 2 miles.  On the way back I say Jim first and then Carrie and Jess, that was the nice part about an out and back course.  As I approached mile 3 I could feel the fatigue setting in and hit the mile marker at ~19:40.  My goal of 26:00 seemed to be fading except I kept telling myself that mile marker was short to the finish.  I ended up finishing in 25:46 by my watch so that mile was definitely short and other than being passed by 4-5 runners in the last mile the run was great.

Splits: 5:45/6:35/7:20/6:06

After finishing, I walked back down the course to cheer Jim as he came up to the finish - also beating his goal time.  We then waited for our wives and cheered them on as they came through the last quarter mile.  The after party was nice and a fun way to end the day.