Why Am I Having Such A Hard Time With This??

Went for a run today. Not too early in the morning, around 10:30am. It was warm, not too hot yet. I started out feeling pretty good. I had a decent pace going. There were a LOT of bikers cyclists out today. I find them both annoying and comforting at the same time. I know that if there are lots of them out, I feel safe that there is a constant traffic flow around me as I run, but that traffic flow is really annoying at the same time. What is super annoying is that cyclists, like bikers, ride in packs. Is it really necessary to get together with 6 or 7 of your buddies and ride down a 2-lane trail like a pack of wolves? Really??

I've been considering finding a track to run near my house, but I really think that would be boring, not to mention, completely flat.

However, I digress. I don't know what it is lately that is affecting my pace. I can't tell if it's because I'm worrying about being overly aware of my surroundings, my sore legs or the weather heating up, but I can't seem to keep a steady pace. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be treadmill runs, but Saturday is a 5 miler. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep a steady pace outside? I've read up on it until I'm cross-eyed. The thing is, when I start out, it's like nothing can stop me. Then, about a mile in, I start feeling doubtful and by the end of my run, I start doubting whether I will be able to finish 13.1 miles in the allotted 3.5 hours, if even at all! I'm a pretty determined person, but if my legs go kersplatso on me, what happens then?

There is a 5K race in Hiram on June 23rd. I'm thinking of running it. It's not like it's any farther than I've already been running. I'll have to see how it fits into my training schedule. There are a couple of weeks that suggest a 5K and a 10K race. In the meantime, I'm going to focus on stretching and pushing myself to finish this training and, inevitably, the half.