NOTE: Please de-lurk if you haven’t already! I am really enjoying getting to know you all!
I haven’t been running fast* lately. In fact, I’ve been deliberately trying to slow it down. With my eye on completing an ultramarathon this year, it is imperative that I learn to cut the pace. So I’ve given up speedwork and tempo runs for easier paceless runs. When I do my marathon training runs, I focus more on running relaxed and keeping my heart rate down. I do throw in the occasional fartlek for fun or challenge myself to run up a long hill because I’d get bored otherwise.
Since I’ve been taking it easy lately, I gave myself permission to run fast for this race. I was curious if my lack of speedwork over the past few months would drastically affect my typical 5K time. I was familiar with the race course and I knew the field of runners would be small. I guessed that I might have a real shot at taking an age group award if I pushed it a little. Note – if you can run a 5K in 25 minutes or less and choose a small local race you have a good chance of being Top 3 in your age group. So choose wisely and push yourself if you want to earn a tiny bit of glory!
I had a bit more encouragement to push the pace on race day when I realized that the race actually started at 8AM and not 7:30 like I though. Ruh-oh! The Mister had to be at work at 9AM and that meant I would now get home at 8:45AM instead of 8:15AM. He would still have time to get to work but it would be close and he would be pissed! I decided to ask for forgiveness and not permission and do the race anyway. I had to bail on the Big Peach 5K last weekend and I really didn’t want to bail on another race after paying the fee. Now I really had a reason to hustle!
Hustle I did. First mile was done in 7:40-ish and I still had energy to spare. I took it down a tad for the second mile (a loop through Swift Cantrell Park) and powered up a few inclines still at top speed. The time guy called 16:40-ish when I finished Mile 2.
The third mile of a 5K is always the hardest and this one was no exception. As I headed down Main Street in Kennesaw, I kept the pace fast and furious – I even picked it up more. But then I walked. And then I sprinted. And then I walked. I even timed myself during my walk breaks and I ended up powerwalking for about 2 minutes of the last mile and sprinting the rest. I was that annoying person who passes you and then walks and then passes you again. I swear I need to learn to just run an even slower pace. I’m so all or nothing!
In spite of my sputtering to the end at the last mile, I found some small reserve of energy to try and sprint to the finish. I “chicked” this guy at the end but I guess I didn’t have that much juice left – he passed me back before the finish LOL. As I headed back to the car I let him know that he got me in the end and we shared a laugh.
24:45 was my final time which wasn’t too bad at all. This was no PR by any means but not bad considering that I haven’t done any speedwork in two months. My time was good enough to earn me 4th place in my age group (lost 3rd place by 2 seconds – doh!), 19/99 of the women and 91/595 overall. See what I mean about smaller races? I didn’t give my best effort and I missed 3rd place in my age group by only 2 seconds!
Oh – that post-race pancake breakfast I was so excited about? I missed it because I had to get back home to The Mister who was (justifiably) very annoyed. Dear Race Director – if you advertise a race as starting at 7:30AM, the main race really should start at 7:30AM. A 1 mile fun run is not considered the main event for most runners of a 5K!
*I always feel like I should put “fast” in quotes because fast is so relative. My “fast” is dreadfully slow to the people who finish a 5K in 19 minutes!
Well for me, that is FAST!
You were able to push, walk some and still clock under 25. That is impressive. Way to go! Another great race under your belt and Mister still made it to work. Wins all around!
Great job! I think you’ll get the hang of pacing yourself.
The heat is making me slow the heck down. That’s for sure!
24:45 is amazing!!!
What I do enjoy about your story is that you actually walked in this race. For some reason, I think 5Ks are child’s play for you and that you run the entire distance! I’m sure you do on races where you pace yourself slower. But as a beginner, I’m so hard on myself for walking. lol
I truly don’t have a problem with walking in a race (unless it causes me to miss a time goal!). I can sometimes run a much faster pace overall after a short walk break than I could if I slogged it out an ran the whole time but much slower. Sometimes you just need to catch your breath! I feel the same way about hills. I see so many people barely running (but still running) up huge hills while I power walk & conserve some energy and take off quickly after the hill. If you can walk nearly as fast as you are running – just take a walk break!