Happy Sunday friends! I rarely post on the weekends but I’ve got some free time in between laundry, grocery shopping (blech), and catching up on the DVR of today’s tour.
I had a great holiday weekend that was rounded out today with a nice little 5K. I’ve run this race a couple of times in the past and was really looking forward to it. It’s held at a park I know very well but the course for this race is different. It typically goes off the pavement and into a single track trail. I love the trail because it provides the opportunity to run a tad slower so you don’t bust your face.
Considering that I rode a bunch the last three days AND ate way too much yummy food at a wedding last night, I was feeling iffy on this race when I woke up. My legs didn’t feel too bad but my stomach was definitely not feeling it. It’s never a good sign when you hit up the restrooms two three times before a race.
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| Thanks champagne! |
Unfortunately, due to all of the rain and the trail not being run on, the race route stayed on the paved route. Aw nuts. I had to run faster than I had anticipated. Fortunately, as we lined up to start my stomach seemed to settle. I told my buddy Mike I’d stick with him since we run about the same pace. I learned my lesson on the Father’s Day 5K (exact same course) and decided to really try to conserve on that first mile. As a bonus, this race started at 8 AM which made a big difference. It seemed cooler out.
The first mile came and went and I was happy I reigned it in at a 7:48. I didn’t feel too tired and my heart rate felt low to me. I also felt really relaxed which is totally NOT normal. As I got to mile two, I picked it up a bit and started to feel the burn. Mike was with me for most of mile two and we took turns leading each other. As I hit the two and a half mile mark my legs started feeling the burn and I had a pretty nasty side stitch. I reminded myself that I wanted to have a better race time than the last 5K I did here and I dug deep. Mike fell a little behind me so I tried keep up the pace to pull him in.
I got near the finish line, saw a woman I tried to catch with no avail, and crossed with a time of 24:22. It wasn’t chip timed so I was excited to see that my hand written card was the first one to go in my age group designated spot. I hoped there wasn’t a woman faster in my age group who just took a longer time turning in her card.
As they announced the age group awards I was stoked to hear I got first place and even more stoked that no super speedies had shown up. I love small races.
My split times were much more even today with a 7:48, 7:48, and 7:51. I ran the last .13 at a 6:55 pace. This race is again another example that I’m regaining speed and strength and I ran a heck of a lot smarter this time.
Have a great Sunday everyone!
nice job mamacita! But…um "cool at 8am" I disagree LOL 😉
Nice job Beth! The secret to fast 5ks must be killing yourself with riding and running miles in the three days before. Who knew?! Congrats on the AG win!
way to rock it lady!!!!
Great job Speedy! Must be the new bike. LOL! Nice splits. I need to learn how to not "pull a Ben"!
Woo hoo! Way to go 🙂 It is never cool at 8am. You're nuts. And I am totally waiting until fall/winter to try for a 5k PR – way overdue!
With what champagne does to my brain, I wouldn't have made it up. Nice time, and good job on the age group win.
Congrats on a great race and awesome placing too! Smart work holding back a little first mile, always nice to repeat a course so you know what to change and what to keep the same!
Good job Boo!!!
Nice job, and way to go on the consistent pacing. That is always so hard for me to do! xo
A 24:xx is a great time! Congrats on the award! Need to pre-fuel with champagne more often 😉
Congrats!!! Now I would like some of your speed. Please and thank you with a cherry on top!