Phillies 5k Race Recap
I haven’t been that disappointed with a race in a while. The Shamrock half didn’t go well but I wasn’t that upset. Last weekend, I raced the Phillies 5k and it just wasn’t my day. This year I ran a 20:08 at the Phillies 5k. My slowest time by over a minute. I’ve won the Phillies 5k 3 years in a row, and this year I got third place overall.
The Annual Phillies Charities 5k is hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies. The proceeds go to charity. There is plenty of parking for the Phillies 5k since it starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Truthfully, I knew I didn’t feel 100% leading up to the Phillies 5k. I didn’t feel great all week and even with extra rest, I felt like garbage. My legs just felt stale and lacking, the “run fast” they needed for the day. I woke up the morning of the Phillies 5k and just felt meh. My thought process was: “how fast can I get this done with”. Not a great racing thought process but that’s where I was.
As I warmed up for the Phillies 5k, I felt stale. I’ve started consistently racing again which means I’m in the part of the training that I question “Why the am f I’m doing it.” My body isn’t used to the mileage or the speed (one reason I’ve added 2 rest days a week right now).
With that, I lined up at the start for the Phillies 5k. I was happy my husband was able to run this year. The race went off and we headed out. The first mile was extremely windy and I found myself as the third woman at the Phillies 5k where I stayed the entire race. We went around a couple of turns and I got boxed in and almost took a nasty fall. My husband said: “come with me” and I couldn’t. He ultimately ran about 18:20 at the Phillies 5k and there was no way I was keeping up with that. Sadly, because I have run an 18:27 at the Phillies 5k before.
I hit the first mile of the Phillies 5k in 6:35. Slower than most miles at the 7-mile race I did recently. It’s windy I thought. I also knew my legs just didn’t feel good.
The second mile of the Phillies 5k went down around the Navy Yard. I’ve run a few races that way and I always appreciate it. It doesn’t make it any easier when it’s windy. There was military handing out water and high fiving which I appreciate. I hit the second mile of the Phillies 5k in 6:35.
We headed back towards the start for the final mile of the Phillies 5k. During the final mile of the Phillies 5k, you pass racers going the other way. It’s always motivating. I could see the second-place woman picking it up and I couldn’t match her. The long straight away and stadium in the distance, makes it feel like it’s not getting any closer. We turned right and faced the last .25 towards the finish of the Phillies 5k. I could see the Citizens Bank Park Stadium but not the finish line of the Phillies 5k. I realized at about 3 miles the wind had knocked the usual banner down for the Phillies 5k. I hit the third mile in 6:20 and powered to the finish of the Phillies 5k.
I crossed the finish line of the Phillies 5kin 20:08. It’s my slowest time by a minute. Yes, it was windy but it’s been windy years prior. I’m not in the same fitness I’ve been every other year of the Phillies 5k and this was a humbling reality check.
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Questions for you:
How do you get over a disappointing race?
Are you a baseball fan? Have you done the Phillies 5k?
I’m so sorry about your race. I’ll bet this is just a temporary setback for you.
I am a baseball fan. I grew up in Baltimore during a time of Orioles greatness. That was a LONG time ago. Now I live in the DC area, but the Nationals never really caught fire for me. At this point, I guess you could say that I’m a Cubs fan. I visited Wrigley Field in 2016 (it was on my bucket list), and it truly was a peak experience for me –beautiful day, great game, friendly confines So, yeah, Cubs fan!
Sorry to hear you had a disappointing race! I know it’s been a while since I commented but I’ve been following your progress on the blog and on insta and you never fail to impress me with your determination to the sport. Keep it up!
I always appreciate you stopping by! Thank you Pippa!
My first marathon this past fall 🙁 I had unrealistic expectations going in. In the spring I ran my first half at 1:58. I was still on a high from that and not at all ready for a full. I wasn’t nearly as ready as I should have been and hit a wall around mile 18. The last 8 miles took almost as long as the first 18. I was so disappointed but at least I can only get faster from there!
I try and remind myself that too. We can only get faster from there.
I’m sorry it didn’t go as well as you wanted. I keep telling myself I’m going to start running, period, and I never do, so I’ll run vicariously through you. 🙂
Thanks Melissa, I always say…you have to do what’s best for you…running or not!