Puncture says:

I'm going to be running my first 5k in September, which ironically is going to be coinciding with my 20 year class reunion in the town i grew up in. Exciting!!

That said the race apparently begins and ends on a low to medium grade hill. I'm looking for some advice on how to approach this. It begins going down the hill and ends coming back up, I'm guessing here but i think it's a little over a quarter to a half mile in length.

I know it's easy to naturally go fast both on a hill and during a race, but i want to be smart and not burn out on my first. I typically start at a 11.5/mi pace and end closer to a 10, with burst speed available at the end (still trying to figure out my optimum pace). Thoughts on what to do?

Puncture the n00b :p

 MarkedMan says:

One of the mistakes I made when I did my first race was to start out too fast. With all those people around you it is easy to get caught in the adrenaline rush and end up huffing at a half mile.

 Puncture says:

Thanks for the info all. I'm a little nervous since the first time i encounter the hill it'll be all down hill (that sounds funny ) so it'll seem easy as i won't be fighting it.. but then i'll turn around and later have to face that sucker again but all up hill. I'm just hoping the down hill part doesn't get me going to fast and I wear out.

I'll be sure to try and stay consistent and enjoy :D

 propgt says:

I ran the Mackinaw Bridge in Michigan on Labor day (5 miles total). We started off with a mile in a half incline and ended with a mile in a half decline. That's pretty opposite of what you are going to endure with your decline starting out first. I would suggest keeping a medium pace down hill, not too fast but don't hold back too much as well. You will have the miles in between to recover. Once you hit the incline at the end, take it on. Have your mind-set to attack it! Remember, short steps and lean into it. You'll do just fine. Good luck.