Following my near PR on Saturday, I decided to race again on Sunday. I’ve been doing a lot of back to back races lately because they are great speed workouts. I know that every race won’t be a PR, but it’s nice to get out there.
This local 5k was about a mile from my new home and it benefitted a great cause. It was hard to pass up, plus my boss was planning to be there. I woke up a little earlier than I would have liked, but it gave me plenty of time to relax and get to the start. It took me all of 5 minutes to get there even while being stopped by all 6 stop lights. I would have just run, but I’m high maintenance and need a lot of things at a race. I didn’t want to run carrying a bag.
I arrived at 8 am. My boss and I warmed up together and got to the start around 8:55. It was dreary weather with a bit of rain and slick pavement. The race was delayed about 15 minutes, and I went immediately to sit back in my car with the seat warmers.
Once we lined up around 9:15, we were officially off. It was a very fast start with many people taking it out too fast. I found myself as the first women overall and 7/8th overall. The race went straight onto a crowded but closed road. I found myself running with a pack of 3 dudes. I felt like I was hidden away. I wanted to pass the pack but because of how narrow our lane was, it was impossible. We hit the first mile in 6:09 and ran into the neighborhood.
As we entered a neighborhood, the pack began to separate. I charged the downhill and never looked back. At that point, I found myself in 5th place overall. The second mile was boring. There was nothing to write home about. I hit the second mile in 6:27.
Similar to an injury and second guessing your recovery, I always second guess myself during the third mile. I feel like I might crash and burn. Recently, I broke through a plateau but that time drop hasn’t been with the first mile. Breaking through my plateau has been on the third mile…instead of running a 6:5x mile, I’m now running <6:20. That’s an entire 30 seconds!
Anyways, when I begin to positive split, I begin to wonder if I’ll add another 20 seconds or more. I second guess myself, my training, and racing 5ks.
During the third mile, I focused on the finish line. It was an out and back course, so I knew exactly what to expect on the course. I knew there was an uphill to the downhill from the first mile. I also knew that we went back in the crowded street and on a slick parking lot. I was lucky because no one was too close to me, so I didn’t have to worry about being boxed in on the main road. I charged up the last mile, made a LOLZy comment to the volunteer (who I knew well) and charged the finish line. I finished the third mile in 6:14 which I was happy with.
The last .1 deserves its own paragraph because it was the most dangerous part of the race. We were on a slick parking lot, and I nearly took another nasty spill. My boss yelled, go that way and before I knew it my balance was off. I caught myself but for a split second I saw my knee and stitches flash in front of me. I powered through to the end and crossed the finish in 19:15.
Thoughts:
It was a solid effort and run for me. I am euphoric with the race. Before October, this was the pace I was running on an exceptionally good day, and now I’m racing it consistently the day after a previous 5k. Since I ran the day before, it wasn’t going to be a PR but more of a workout. To be honest, I expected between 19:30-19:45, so this was a great surprise! I’m excited to continue racing.
Questions for you:
Do you like running in the rain?
What is your least favorite mile of a 5k?
Running in the rain doesn’t bother me, but I’ve (knock on wood) never had to race in the rain. I hope I never have to. As far as the 5K, my least favorite mile is mile 2. Mile one you have all of the adrenaline but mile two pretty much dictates the outcome and how you’re feeling that day. That’s why I like longer races because I can settle in a little more than going breakneck for the whole thing. 5Ks are a unique challenge though and takes just as much preparation and forethought as any other race. And don’t worry, you are not alone overthinking things!
Thank you for stopping by Carl! I agree about mile 2 in a 5k, it’s definitely the make or break mile!
Can I just say how much I love that start line photo? You with all the dudes. Bad ass! (I want to cheer you on at one of these races!)
Back to back badass races! I love it!! I usually hate the 2nd mile of a 5K, and I LOVE running in the rain!
I love running in the rain but I’m so clumsy that I’m always worried I’ll fall and usually I do! Big uncoordinated dork over here. Kudos to you for another great run 🙂
I love running in the rain! It’s actually my favorite weather to run in. I’m not very fast though so I don’t have to worry about slipping though lol! So happy to hear you didn’t fall, and congrats on another sub 20 race!
I enjoy running in a light mist when it is WARM out. Any rain when it is cold is miserable. Plus I enjoy the sun A LOT and most times when it is raining it is dreary and gray. I’ve totally done that – gone back to the car to stay heated prior to a run! Kind of stinks because you can tighten up a bit. Didn’t seem to impact you 🙂 Great last mile!
I will have to run a 5K to figure out what my least mile is – it’s been so long I can’t remember! Is your least favorite the 2nd mile?
It started raining just as our 5K began on Sunday and I was so scared of slipping on leaves and acorns! I was running fast (for me) and felt good but also had some trepidation. Nice back to back races!
Another great race! That third mile is what does me in generally too and it’s what I want to work on. I guess that requires me actually racing 5ks again… I think racing back to back 5ks all the time probably also helps a lot with racing confidence since you’re doing it all the time. Or at least it would help me be more comfortable with feeling uncomfortable, if that makes sense. Great job!
I dislike the second mile! Usually because I went out too fast on the first mile. I enjoy running in the rain but only if I have time and its just going to be an easy run.
i hate and avoid running in the rain. im so happy you didnt fall, slick roads are almost as bad as ice. you are really reinforcing speed work for me! seeing all your hard work pay off totally helps me get my butt out there and work!