May training…the month I felt like I got fit. I don’t know if anyone else feels this way, but I feel fitter when I 5K train. Maybe it’s because the paces are faster, but I’ve always just felt like I’ve run my best.
Miles run: 353
Range of paces: 5:28-18:30-untimed
Races:
Navy’s Bay Bridge Run 10K (42:37)
Bolder Boulder 10K (44:36)
Thoughts:
In May, I switched up my training to get more miles at race pace…resulting in about 20% of my weekly miles at pace. I believe one of my issues in training is that while I like to think I mostly follow the 80/20 rule, over the last few years it’s been more like 90/10… if that. And easy miles are fine…they keep you healthy…but it’s likely one of a few reasons I have been close, but not quite consistently there, in breaking 20 minutes in the 5K. I just don’t run enough miles at race pace. So each week, I try and get about 20% of my miles around my 5K pace (which I believe is somewhere around 6:22).
I’ve done all sorts of workouts lately: 3×10 minutes at 5K pace, 20×1 minute hards (why is this workout so good…), 5K-2 mile-1 mile, 12x400s. In fact, in that 5K workout I ran a 19:51…my fastest 5K since 2021. So I know I’m in that shape.
In May, I ran two 10Ks. I thought about running a 5K as well, but instead, I decided to train, relax, and do a workout instead. Anyway, both 10Ks went well despite feeling like garbage at the Bolder Boulder 10K. If you had told me I would run 7:05 pace at altitude with the morning I had…I would have been shocked.
I was amazed to win the Navy’s Bay Bridge Run 10K. This year was the first year for that race, and the 4-mile race is typically won in a pace below 6 minutes (despite going over the Coronado Bridge). So that was fun! Both races motivated me in different ways,
I hate to jinx it, honestly, but I feel like lately running has been going really well. I’ve been feeling good, and I’ve felt more like my old self than I have in a long time. Work and the rest of life have been crazy and I’ve been trying to give myself grace and focus on getting quality sleep and downtime (which has been hard).
Cross training: I try and get to the pool once a week (almost always on the weekends). I’m doing a couple of open water swims this summer in July, so I’m really trying to get into the water more often.
I do pilates a few times a week and have been really enjoying it. I’ve never been someone to enjoy strength training, but pilates has been a good supplement for me.
June:
For June, I am racing three 5Ks. While two of the races are hilly and hard, the Long Beach Classic is one of the most flat races I can find in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. Last year, it was the only time I broke 20 minutes in a 5K, so I am hoping I can do that again at Long Beach and maybe consistently throughout the summer.
Posts from the month:
Shoe Reviews:
Salomon S/Lab Ultra Dust Shoe Review
Hoka Speedgoat 2 Shoe Review (2025)
Puma Fast-R Elite 3 Shoe Review
Gear Reviews:
Supergoop SPF 50 Glow Oil Review
Questions for you:
How was your month of training?
Are you training for anything now?