Run for Relief 5k Race Recap

I haven’t run a 5k in a year, and I haven’t PR’ed in a 5k in almost two years. I have been focusing on distance and not speed for many many months, so I was curious as to how I would do. Bobby has been doing a lot of speed workouts since he wasn’t training for the Princess half like I was so I KNEW he would PR, but me….not so sure. We drove down to the race Saturday morning on a beautiful sunny day. The weather was nice but it was rapidly getting warm for the 9:00 start time. We picked up our bibs and race shirts and did about .6 miles of a warm up run before the start. There was a time years ago that I would NEVER dream of warming up for a 5k. I mean, why drain your energy before the race starts, duh! Oh, how much I have learned!

We lined up at the start (Bobby was up ahead of me with the fast folks!) and then we were off and running. I wanted to stat slow and run negative splits, and I am still struggling with not getting caught up in the excitement and starting off too fast. I calmed down after about 4 tenths, but those first tenths were too fast. I was glad we warmed up a bit before the start, I think that helped me as well. I kept my garmin on pace instead of distance or time, and tried to stay around 9. The first mile evened out with y fast start and slower second half, and I was on to mile two. I picked up the pace, finally warmed up, and was running in the 8’s. I saw Bobby going back the other way and gave him a high five. I was surprised at how good I felt, and was happy to make it to the turn around.

Mile 1.5-2.5 felt pretty good. I passed the water stop without stopping, and kept cruising along, glancing at my pace which was going anywhere between an 8:20 and an 8:50. I hit 2.5 and started to get very warm. I was ready for this to be over, so I switched my Garmin over to distance so I could count down the tenths. I think this was my mistake because although I told myself pace didn’t matter because I was giving it all I had, I don’t think that was the case. I think I accidentally slowed down in that last half mile, but what can you do. I made it to the final turn/three mile marker and saw the finish line. I kicked it in and went pretty fast, further solidifying the fact that I wasn’t going fast enough that last half mile. I crossed in 27:52, a new PR! I was happy to PR, but mad at myself for slowing down at the end.

I grabbed some Powerade and met up with Bobby, who also PRed, running a 23:19! He has worked really hard to improve his speed, I was super proud of him.

Thanks to my KT Tape I didn’t have any calf issues. Hooray! Yes, yes I like to match my tape to my outfits. Sassy, I know!

After everyone finished, we headed over to the awards ceremony. Apparently I got 5th in my age group out of 18, not too shabby. This was a military race so there were a LOT of very fit and in shape guys and gals running this one.

I enjoyed this race, it went through a quiet neighborhood so lots of houses to look at to keep my mind occupied. They had volunteers giving directions at all the turns, and had a water stop at the halfway point. The awards were nice, and they had donuts, bananas, and water/PowerAde after the race. It started on time and I would definitely run it again! I even really like the race shirt, very neutral and nice.

I can’t believe I have PR’ed in three different distances in 3 months. Now I think I need to find a 10k so I can make it 4 in four months!

QOTD: runners, did you race this weekend? If you didn’t or aren’t a runner, how was the weather where you live this weekend?

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