5 mile race report/CIM here I come!

**sigh** Its been awhile since I have posted, time seems to be scarce lately, but I wanted to update you before I leave for California on Thursday to run CIM this weekend (I'm super, super excited!!).  

Training Update
I previously posted about my need for Speed,  and fully intended to keep you all updated weekly on my training.  Overall it went well,  I did all of my speedwork,  long runs and tempos.  I also did my hot yoga twice weekly, and my weekly swim.  I let the weekly bike go due to time restraints,  but I will pick it up after CIM is done.

I have great running friends to thank for keeping me on track and motivated for CIM.  They ran my long runs and did speed work with me every week even though they are not running any marathons until the spring.  We also are participating in Angela's Whittle My Middle challenge,  and I have noticed a significant improvement in my core strength.

Race Update
I decided to run a 5 miler this past weekend to test my progress (and for Alissa's Turkey Trot Race).  The race advertised to be a downhill course,  but there was no downhill in site,  but it was a relatively flat course with a few small rolling hills.  Anyway,  although it was VERY windy,  I managed to pull out a 3 minute one second PR,  with a finish of 39:38 (4:58 km/min pace) .  As a added bonus I was fourth (out of 16) in my age group,  so I was really happy with the result.  I feel ready as I can be for CIM.  I will try my best to relax and hopefully to marathon day will unfold with a PR for me.  I feel as ready as I can be at this point!

I am also participating in Amanda's Bootie Buster Challenge and maganged to rack up 35 points last week. This week I will have less since I am in taper mode.

So I am off to California to see my dad.  My sis and BIL are also running.  I am meeting up with Jolyne on Friday,  and also hope to meet Aron, and a few other bloggers. 

P.S - Although I missed this past Friday, Marlene is also hosting Cans for Comments every Friday.. Marlene will donate canned foods to a food bank for your comments..  what a great cause.

Hope to catch up with you all soon,  I'll update you about CIM soon after I finish!  My bib number is 1081.. although I don't know if you can track live or not.

Have a great hump day, and thanks for reading despite my irregular updates!