On Saturday, my brother and I drove to Wilmington to run a 5k. We had had a late night before so I wasn’t sure what to expect!  Each race is a workout so I wasn’t too concerned about time but getting another speed workout under my legs.  For once in my life, I actually left on time for a race.  We arrived at 7:30.

Matt laughed because the closer we got the start, the hillier it got. I realized I had run half of the course at the icicle 10 miler.  It is hard to believe that was already 6 months ago.  I have no idea what sort of fitness I’m in right now because every 5k I’ve run in the last month has been so hilly! I’m not upset because after all, I do choose the races.

I ran the entire course for warmup. I have not warmed up the entire course for any race in a while.  I felt decent but not great.  I definitely felt full but my legs felt decent.  I like to run 2-3 miles before 5ks depending on how loose my legs feel.

The race was delayed and we started around 8:40.

I immediately found myself behind a wall of dudes.  There were two males way out in front, followed by a pack of 6 males and myself.  I began to pass several of the men and by the first mile I was fourth overall.  I stayed at fourth for the rest of the race.

The first mile went up a hill.  I haven’t gotten used to the hills in Delaware.   During the week, I’ve been consistently training on flat ground. Since I had warmed up on the course, I knew it would be hilly.  I charged up the first hill and passed several of the men.  I hit the first mile in 6:19.  I knew based on my pacing and the course, breaking 20 minutes was not going to be feasible.

The second mile continued up and around several rolling hills.  I didn’t mind them and I found myself running alone most of the race.  It was a boring, lonely mile.  I hit the second mile in 6:36.

I saw my brother during the third mile and it motivated me to finish strong. We ran back into the park and to the finish line. There were a lot of hills but I was so focused on the finish line I mentally blocked everything out.  The final home stretch went around a loop at the park.

Finishing the 5k

I finished in 20:33 and 4^th person overall. I even won a giant trophy!

Thoughts:

This race made me realize I haven’t raced a lot of flat courses lately. All of my races have been more difficult and hilly courses. I have been putting in work at the track lately but it’s hard to compare a 6:08 mile track workout and a 6:33 average paced 5k on hill. I like racing on hills but I also like running flatter 5ks that are closer to my goal pace. There are trade offs to both.

I’m excited to go to Belmar on Saturday and see what I can do there.

Questions for you:

What kind of warmup do you do before races?

Before 5ks I like 2-3 miles and before half marathons and marathons I generally don’t warm up.

Are you normally on time?

I try to be on time in life situations and when meeting people but I somehow get so sidetracked the morning before races.