On Saturday, I ran the Healthy Kids 5k. Last year, I ran a 20:13 and placed fourth female overall. I had a great time last year and enjoyed the race. My plans changed drastically last weekend, so I found myself with an open weekend and decided to go back and do it again.
I got to the race around 7:30 and it was hot. Like most 5ks, I like to sign up race day. The temperature read 85 degrees, and I wondered why I was running. I signed up and warmed up. When the race started at 8:30 it was 91 degrees.
As with many local 5ks, I found myself boxed in behind young children. They were weaving in and out, and I nearly tripped over one young female. As the racers spread out, I found myself as the 6th person. I hit the first mile in 6:20. It was 5 seconds faster than last week in hotter conditions. My legs felt tired, and I felt overheated. In summary, I didn’t feel good.
During the second mile, I grabbed water and poured it in myself. The wind was blowing off the riverfront, and I felt the wind against my sweat. It was a combination of sweltering air and a slight breeze. It felt good. I ran the second mile in 6:32. I was running alone, but it was fine.
I just wanted the last mile to be over. I was alone, and local 5ks don’t have a lot of spectators. I just focused on the end. I caught one male and rounded a turn. The third mile went into a nature persevere and a nice view of Wilmington. There was a slight incline but nothing drastic. I hit the third mile in 6:24. I was pleasantly surprised because I felt awful.
I crossed the finish line in 20:01. I thought I had broke 20, but the results said 20:01. I should have started in front of the kids I suppose. Oh well, it’s just a number and a few seconds don’t mean much. I did, however, win opera tickets, so that was unique. Last year I ran a 20:13 send was the fourth woman. This year I ran a 20:01 and was the first female…you never can predict who will show up.
The race is 20 seconds faster than last week and on a hotter day, so it’s hard to complain about that.
I’m happy with my race and the improvement since last week. I have no complaints, and I think in cooler weather I would probably be around 19:30. I’m continuing to just rich on the bigger picture and finishing races injury free. I’m not happy or sad about the race, I’m indifferent. I finished injury free and that is all that matters right now.
Questions for you:
Have you ever been to the opera?
What’s the hottest race you’ve run?
What is that sports bra!? I am always on the hunt for better sports bras. And also great job in the heat – I think we are both gonna be so much stronger in the fall for disregarding weather (but also being smart and not dying or anything) this summer. 🙂
It’s the Moving Comfort Fineform. It’s a fun bra, it just doesn’t look as supportive as it is.
You caught one male… that one male was me. haha
Congrats on that race! It was brutal out there Sunday. The best part about training in the summer is seeing the times drop in the fall even though the effort level is the same.
Nice work on the good time in the heat. That had to be rough. My worst was a 10 miler when it was 93 or so. Passed out under a tree after that one. Opera, nope, never won and never been. I have won stuff at races though- runner ID, sack of potatoes (yes, a $3 bag of taters), and the best was a 4 person pass to a water park. Happy trails, Konrad
93 in the heat? Oh my Lanta, that’s incredible Konrad.
It seems like you’re bouncing back really quickly from the injury! Congrats on another great finish.
OMG great job in horrible conditions!! I’m also pretty sure that is a sub-20 but at least you got the win…and opera tix? Very cool and super classy woman 🙂 Congratulations!!
Woohoo! And opera tickets are so … classy, lol. Let us know how you like it. 🙂
What an outstanding performance! It’s great that you have last year’s race as something to compare it to, as well as your race the week prior. Small kids are almost always an obstacle in 5Ks and I wonder why their parents allow them to start at the front.