Saturday, September 18, 2010

Mission Possible 5K race report

 All systems were go this morning, good sleep, fine weather, and wanting to race. I did a shorter warm-up this morning, but it was adequate. This race was very well run and the folks were great! There was plenty of water/juice/nanners...they even had these unreal Cinnamon rolls!! I had one after the race.
  The field was mixed with 5K and HM'ers. I opted to move up to the front seeing majority of runners were running the half. When the whistle blew I took off running 'bout as fast as I could! I was really serious about trying to get in under 24 minutes. I observed this guy who is 61 and runs consistent 21 minute 5K's. He's amazing! I tried to hold on to him! The course was on a asphalted trail, very nice, rolling and scenic. I was passed by a couple of guys running the half fairly early. I was feeling gassed and I looked at my watch and it said .47....I did the math and realized I was going to suffer in this race because I started way to fast! A 7:25 first mile. I tried to find places I could rest, little downs...but I was in debt...The turn must be coming because here came the winner...a 52 year old!!! Then the 61 year old a couple of younger fellas, and one really fast and strong Lady, She ran a sub 20. So there were only 5-6 folks ahead of me?! But reality hit at the turn...the watch said 12:10. Sub 24 was not possible. Not the way I felt, anyway. How's that for negative thinking? I shook it off and decided to keep pressing. I enjoyed seeing all the 5Kers behind me! Mile two was an 8:08 mile, 15:33 two mile split, here I calculated that sub 24 would be possible if I could speed up. Easy to think hard to do...my legs, body, was not handling the lactic acid worth a lick. I felt it pretty good on every little uphill yet I poured it on during the downs. I came on to the parking lot and saw 24:00 on my watch and I hadn't even tripped 3 miles....the third mile was an 8:38! So I died, but I tried! Hearing some encouragement I finished strong with a 25:15 unofficial. Get this....slower than last week? I ran a stinkin' hilly course last week, this was a sweet route with no big hills.....go figure?
  Because of the thin field I took home first in my age group 55-59. I still believe I can break the 24 minute barrier. I won't spend much more time chasing it though. I want to move to longer D. Watching the HMers got to me...I miss long distance.
  So I had time to think on the drive home my plan of action. I have the speed, I need the ability to hold on anaerobically. That requires training. Plus I need to lose weight! At least 8 more pounds! Is it all worth it? Why not? I will train all the way up to the target race, Oct 23rd, and let the chips fall where they may. Hope you are having a great Saturday! I'm helping a band out tonight, they are in need of a Banjo picker! Peace!

13 comments:

Unknown said...

That 24 minutes is SO possible but I'm with you, I love the longer distances. I've been chasing a faster 5k PR since the turkey trot last year, well I've tried once, but I felt like giving up 5ks after that last one!
Happy Pickin' tonight, that sounds like fun :) !

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

5K's are tough! Great job on running strong!

Marlene said...

You just never know what race day will bring! You are going to get that sub-24 so don't lose hope. Congrats on another race!! Awesome that you are out there doing it.

natalie said...

That's amazing. 5k's are quite tough. What a great race report you have! More power to you.Have the best run always! :D

natalie vibram

Jamie said...

You'll get that sub-24. congrats on another 5K finish!

Johann said...

Congratulations! That is still a super time! When you go for longer distances the sub 24 will come without you pushing for it. Keep going!

Lindsay said...

Ahh the excitement! Hard to contain sometimes. Pacing and timing are an art. Still a good race! Congrats on the AG award!

Jill said...

Congratulations on that AG win, that's very exciting!! You can definitely do that sub 24, no doubt!!

chris mcpeake said...

congrats on the 5k
way to go

Bob A said...

Even though you didn't hit your target time, you ran a good race. Add some target pace repeats to your training (unless you already did that) and I think you'll get it. It's been a long time since I trained for a 5K, but I did 3 x 1K repeats and I think it really helped.

Bob A said...

Oops. Sorry, I did 5 x 1000K repeats.

Bob A said...

Oh, well. 2 Senior moments -- that would be 5 x 1K repeats. That would be something to do 1000K repeats at 5K pace, wouldn't it? LOL!

Unknown said...

Nice race report, you are doing great. Keep it up and you will get much better result I think. Thanks to your post too I learn something in it.



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