My 5k last weekend left a sour taste in my mouth. The day after, I decided I wanted redemption and decided to sign up for another local 5k on Memorial Day. (cliff notes from last weekend: I left my racing flats at home and ran in Glycerins. I struggled to break 20 minutes).
The race this weekend was a local 5k with about 200 people. I was working at 10 am so it worked out perfectly that I could run the race at 7:30am and then head to work. I only got about 6 hours of sleep the night before and after a heavy training week, I knew a reasonable goal would be to beat last weeks time (19:52). I am feeling the mileage bump up and going from running 5 days to 6 days. I know in a few weeks I’ll readjust and feel better. Right now I’m feeling the increase.
Tim decided to run the race as well. After not running for 6-7 weeks, he wasn’t sure how he would do. We ended up warming up by running the course beforehand.
The race went off without a hitch. The first mile was actually terrifying because there were so many people running a 6 minute mile. There were at least 30 people around me. I thought it was going to be a much tougher field. Many high schoolers began fading though around mile 1.
Tim passed me around .5 and never looked back. I kept him in my sights the majority of the race but couldn’t catch him again.
I hit mile 1 around 6:09 and felt pleased.
The second mile headed towards the lake. We went over a small wooden bridge and I nearly tripped and fell but caught myself before I took anyone down. The race began to thin out and I found myself running alone for the rest of the race (6:10).
The last mile looped around neighborhoods and I could hear people cheering while I was running. I was fading quickly but I focused on finishing strong. The leaders were out of my sights and we headed around a few more turns. The race course itself was in a neighborhood, around a school and also around a lake. The final mile went through the neighborhood and it was pretty cool to see the residents cheering us along. (for a small race I found it cool).
I finished in 19:24 and I was completely happy with that. I knew it was not a day for PRing. The course itself is pretty fast and the weather was nice. Training wise I am not in PRing shape. I was extremely happy to be 30 seconds faster then last week. Tim ended up finishing 3rd overall.
The race awards were extremely cool. It is a nice handmade carved piece of wood. It is probably one of my favorite race awards to date.
I’m glad I woke up early and got back out there.
Questions for you:
What is your favorite race award or medal?
What is your favorite race start time?
I think mine is between 8-9. Although it’s nice to be done with a race before it gets too hot.
Awesome job, Hollie!!
Congratulations and I love your wood prize. I’m glad you beat your time too and that Tim finished 3rd overall even after not running for awhile (this gives me hope that I won’t lose too much fitness while injured).
I really like it when races start at 8 AM… it just gets hot early here and I’d rather get the race done so I can go to brunch or nap or whatever :).
You’ve been cross training a lot too. He wasn’t able to do anything for the last 6 weeks! You won’t lose much fitness, if any!
Thanks! Yeah I have been trying to do something every day even if it’s just some stretching or core.
Great run. 8 or 9AM is a reasonable time. 10 isn’t too bad as long as it isn’t a hot day.
We had the Run to Remember in Boston on Sunday. We started at 7AM which seemed god aweful early! But by 10:30 we had collected everyone and were headed to Starbucks.
Andy
If I was running in the fall/winter, my ideal time would be around 10, it’s just when I like to run. But it’s way too hot in the summer by then so the earlier the better to beat the heat as long as I don’t have a long drive to the start. That carved wood is gorgeous! I’ve never seen a unique prize at any of the races I’ve run.
Congratulations on your speedy 5K!
I love an early start, the earlier the better, especially in spring and summer. My last half marathon was in March, still not too hot, and start time was 6:45, just perfect. Right now 6:30 would be great.
6:30 is so early! For me, I have to eat before I run so that plays a big role in that.
Great race! Sometimes we need those redemption runs!
I love trophies, plaques, or really awesome looking medals… Honestly, hate pint glasses and coffee mugs,,, I run for hardware!
I love really early start times… I ran a race that went off at 7am over the weekend and for this time of year I think it’s perfect… plus it leaves the rest of the day open for you to do what you need to…
Great job! Way to get back out there after last week’s race (even though both were great)! My favorite race start time is around 8 but I also like 7 if the race isn’t too far away 🙂
yay beast!!! Massive congrats… Hopefully one day I will get to run with you! 🙂
Congrats Hollie! So speedy!
Awesome! I love your award. (p.s. The Wineglass medals look awesome!) I like a race to start b/w 8-9 too. The best award I got was an entire apple pie at the Applefest Half Marathon in Hollis, NH. Last year may have been the last year of it after 30+ years 🙁
For me the earlier the better! I would be fine with a 7am start. If I have too much time in the morning I struggle with when to eat.
Congrats on your race!
You guys are such a running power couple–nice work!
I agree with 8-9, not TOO early, but early enough in the summer to keep the heat down!
That award is awesome! I love when things are customized and unique…my favorite race start time is 8AM, especially during the summer. 9 AM is fine in the fall. I am very much influenced by the weather on this decision. I even like night races in the summer.
Great race for you and Tim!! I love how active you are together, and I’m so glad you have him back 🙂
Speedy.girl. My goal is just to break 20! I got 20:03 at my xc finals, so close! I love those races where the neighborhood cheers you on 🙂
That’s such a cool award! Congrats on doing better than last week. 🙂
Wow you are a speed demon! And that award is really cool – definitely something different to add to the rotation. My perfect start time is probably around 8. I like morning runs obviously but when it’s over by 8am or something that’s just too early.