Sunday, December 11, 2011

Winter Classic 5K - A Race Report

It's December - Pumpkinman and Chicago have long passed. My goal half marathon isn't until March, and Eugene at end of April. Yet I needed something - I needed to let me newly healed lungs, and spicy legs loose. Insert the Winter Classic 5K - Stephanie, Robin, and Danielle had decided to run this race awhile ago, but yet I didn't pull the trigger until this week. I figured it was a great opportunity to "check in" with my body after reduced volume and speed due to aforementioned broken lungs. Sometime early this week, I hit register, and the rest is history.

Before I left the house this morning, I checked in with my splits of my last 5K, which I did the weekend after Chicago. I used that as my baseline to gauge where I wanted my performance to fall today. I also checked in with April, and asked what my plan for this race should be. While I won't share the entirety of the message, it ended with "puking at the finish is optional, although greatly appreciated". Wonderful.

I met up with the girls, snapped some photo evidence of today's race, and we headed off on a warm-up jaunt. The body was a little sore from a class I did yesterday, and I could feel the effects of Friday nights red wine fest Christmas party, but worked most of the kinks out in that warm-up. Tossed back a Roctane (the new chocolate raspberry flavor kicks ass!!), and good to go.



The gun went off, and Robin started the bob and weave around about 100 people. I followed suit for about 20 yards, and then let her go. She was flying, and with my clumsiness, I didn't want to risk face-planting in the middle of Cambridge. However, Steph was sitting right on my shoulder. Perfect. The legs felt good, and I tried to find a place that felt uncomfortable, but manageable for the next 20 minutes. Mile 1= 7:09. I would have liked to have snuck under 7, and made it the goal for Mile 2. Steph got a few yards in front of me, and I focused on the back of her sparkly skirt. I told myself to not let her get away, and that I had a mile to catch back up with her. I found a good rhythm, and stayed focused. Mile 2: 6:59. Nailed it. I caught Steph at about mile 2.5, and noticed she was not happy. I called her out and told her that I wasn't finishing this alone, so she might as well hop on-board. We worked together for the last stretch of the race. Mile 3: 7:17. Less than awesome. I had another gear that I didn't engage, and I knew it as soon as I crossed the finish line. I went 1:21 for the last bit, to total 3.19 miles at 7:08 pace.





The last time I ran a faster time at this distance was in 2003 (right before I started transitioning to marathons - convenient), so while not a PR by over a minute (my 5K PR is currently 21:16), it's been over 8 years since that time. I'll take it. 

It was a good day - I felt in control the entire time. I know I had more in the tank, and it's only a (short) matter of time before I get that 5K average to sub 7-minute miles. I'm excited to be trending in the right direction. I'm excited to be getting stronger and faster. I can feel the PR's getting closer to the surface, and today was a great confidence builder. Hey 2012 - I'm coming for you. 

Post Race - A Good Day!


Great job to everyone today - it was an awesome day! 

Happy Training!!

15 comments:

  1. Great job! You are so fast! Looks like it was a really fun race.

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  2. WOOHOO! You are one fast momma! :) And super cute to boot!

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  3. I love posting good times compared to old times (if that makes sense!). You are in a great place, and I can't wait to see how you build on it!

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  4. Yayyy this was totally awesome :) guess you know what this means? Faster 5k in 2012! I am runnin with Aaron for his first one on January 1, just for fun and robin is going to do it too with us so slower but also going to do another for real on January 7 and probably tack on miles before and after. Think about it we can pace each other and we r in separate age groups, small race = dream big aka we will win, clearly haha

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  5. Nice job! You are in great shape to kick off the new year!

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  6. You are amazingly fast!!! I still can't get over it - and that you're gunning for even faster, sub-7 is incredible and I KNOW you'll get there with that determination (and speedy legs) of yours!! GO YOU!!

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  7. 2012 - go get it! nice race, girl!

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  8. great to meet you yesterday and stellar race! Seriously, everyone had a great day - must have been the cold rushing us to the finish :)

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  9. Congrats! I think in this case having more in the tank was a good thing b/c it gives you the confidence and knowledge that you can in fact run faster in the very near future. 2012 is going to treat you well :)

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  10. Nice race! Maybe I'll see you up at Eugene :)

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  11. Very nice! I love the red font for the split times. Feeling in control is key-- and it sounds like you are definitely moving in the right direction!

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  12. everyone is 5k'ing these days! i am glad you gave this one an "i'll take it" if it a recent PB....i am into those recently as i have found that dealin with what we have and working forward is better than looking in the rear-view. where is your crazy outfit btw?!?

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  13. holy CRAP you are fast!!! Send me some of that speediness, will ya? ;-) Seriously, congrats. Well done!

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