Long Beach Classic 5k (19:56)

I ran the Long Beach Classic 5k in 19:56, finally breaking 20 minutes after chasing that time for two years. Last year, my only goal for the summer was to run under 20 minutes. I came close but never got there. There was always something: weather, the course was challenging, or I just flat out didn’t feel good. But last weekend at the Long Beach 5k, I did it. It’s weird to actually reach a goal you’ve been chasing for so long. Like… now what?

Before the Long Beach Classic 5k:

We headed down Saturday morning for the Sunday race. I had big plans to go back to the Reptile Zoo and look at more snakes. I am terrified of snakes. I don’t like them, so I’ve been trying to get more used to them by learning more and even holding an 11-pound Burmese python. Now, I think they are moderately okay. Although don’t ask me to hold a wild snake or get too close to anything not in captivity. After that, we ate dinner and headed to bed. It wasn’t a particularly exciting night in the hotel, and 5 am came early. When I woke up, I thought surely it must be 2 am, but it was 5, and time to get up.

Since the half marathon starts before the Long Beach Classic 5k, we wanted to get there before 6 am and before the roads closed. We barely did. I wasted too much time hanging out and seeing a friend I hadn’t seen in a couple of years and ended up only getting 2 miles in. Luckily, the Long Beach Classic 5k was delayed due to something on the course, so I had some time to catch my breath at the Long Beach Classic 5k start. I wasn’t really feeling that great, and to be honest, I didn’t think it was the day to run under 20. It was unfortunate because the Long Beach Classic 5k is pretty much one of the fastest 5k courses you can have without it just being a straight line.

Long Beach Classic 5k Race:

The Long Beach Classic 5k start was kind of abrupt, and off we went. Immediately, I found myself as the 5th woman, which is what I was last year. I was happy to have some people to run with. I ran the first mile in 6:23 and thought, “Wow, it does not feel like I’m running this fast.” I briefly thought, “Maybe this is the time I break 20 minutes,” but laughed. I’ve been able to hold 2 miles under a 6:27 pace, but then faded hard in the third mile.

During the second mile of the Long Beach Classic 5k, I found myself in what I thought was first woman. It was hard to see people at the front and really tell until the turnaround. As we headed toward the turnaround, I saw I was first woman. Some people ahead of me turned around early (no more than 100 meters), but they rerouted people the correct way after that. I was glad because I was on pace for a sub-20 minute finish, and I didn’t want the course to end up being 2.8 miles or something. That would be my luck.

I hit mile 2 of the Long Beach Classic 5k in 6:26, and I actually didn’t feel terrible. I didn’t feel like I was moving that fast, and I kept telling myself, “Just hold on.” It was like a constant mantra: “Just hold on, just hold on.”

We rounded the turn and could see the finish line .75 miles ahead. I honestly worried the Long Beach Classic 5k would be short because we could see the finish line ahead. The last 3/4ths of a mile felt like it took forever. I couldn’t tell if there was anyone close to me, and I did want to win (I haven’t done that in forever!). When I hit mile 3 of the Long Beach Classic 5k, I could see them adding a tape to break, and I got even more excited. Then I saw the clock ticking 19:45, and I knew I could be under 20. I ran as hard as I could and crossed the Long Beach Classic 5k in 19:56.

Long Beach Classic 5k Thoughts:

It’s honestly a weird feeling. I’ve been working towards this goal for so long, so now I’m like… now what? I’m going to continue working until I can consistently be under 20. Seriously, you could not get a flatter, faster course than the Long Beach Classic 5k. Unfortunately, just a few days later, I stubbed and broke my toe. So I’ll recover from that and then who knows what. It’s always something. I’m pretty bummed but also trying to remember it will only be a few weeks. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.

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Questions for you:

What is your running goal for the summer?

Are you training for anything now?