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!!