If you’ve been following my recaps, you know I’ve come a long way. Eventually, I added track workouts to my training and retaught my body how to run at my natural pace. I tested my speed at 5ks every weekend and saw concrete progress. But I still, after all these years of running, have unfinished business with 5ks. I still feel like my PR is not my potential, but then again, I’ve never really commit myself to reaching a certain time.
So this quote rings true:
5ks aren’t going anywhere though! And one day (when the planets align) I’ll be able to actually train for the 5k speed I want to see.
The Firecracker 5k I ran this past weekend was one I’ve run before–years ago, when there were about 100 people participating. Now it’s part of our area’s Veterans race circuit and has become extremely popular. Again, it’s so great to see races donating all of their net proceeds to such worthy causes.
My goal was to be right around the same time as my last 5k–like the quote says, without a detailed plan to get me any faster than that, I can’t expect much more of myself.
The day was surprisingly humid and I felt like my legs got off to a sluggish start. I focused on my cadence and was satisfied with my first mile considering how I felt. I got a little nervous when I still couldn’t find that next gear for the second mile, but I did end up negative splitting, and by mile three I was firing on all cylinders.
My watch never says 3.1 anymore (is every single 5k race I run short??), so my official results never match up with my watch.
Oh well.
I earned myself some more hardware and felt super satisfied with my 5k progress over that past couple of months.
So goodbye 5ks! Next weekend I’ll be doing my first long run (check out my long run plan here). I’ll be continuing my weekly track workouts and adding my tempo run during the week.
This post is linked up at Running ‘N’ Reading for the Weekend Update!
You’ve gotten so speedy with your 5ks! Great job!!! Can’t wait to follow along on your marathon training, hopefully it will help encourage me to stay on track and stay motivated 🙂
Annmarie recently posted…Meatless Monday: Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Sauteed Lentils & Spinach
You seem to be doing just fine with 16 on the treadmill! But, yes, reading about everyone else’s training is motivating! Thanks!!
Michelle Homan recently posted…Weekend Race Recap + Goodbye 5ks!
I would take that 5k pace!! Good luck with your marathon training hope its not too hot for you this next month.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Hawaiian Pineapple Acai Bowl-Meatless Monday
Thanks Deborah! I hope it’s not too hot too!
Nice job on the 5K! I keep telling myself that one of these days I’ll actually train for a 5k instead of trying to run one while marathon training, but it never seems to happen.
MCM Mama recently posted…Basil parmesan pasta + Hanson’s week #2
Thanks! Same here. I think I usually take 5ks for granted. One day I’ll really train for them and see what I can do!
That is an awesome time! Congratulations and good luck in the marathon training. 🙂
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…Styx River Weekend Update
Thanks so much!
Terrific time! I should go look and see how you got faster. 🙂
My next race is a 10k, a distance I haven’t run since 2008, so I’m of course hoping for a PR but have some goals for it as it’s my first week of marathon training too.
Which marathon are you targeting?
M @readeatwriterun recently posted…Weekend Update July 4-5, 2015
We have a inaugural local race–The Suffolk County Marathon on Long Island. I owe all my speed to track workouts! Good luck with your racing and training!!
Great job on your Fourth of July race, Michelle; that is great! It’s so funny that your watch is always short; mine always seems to register LONGER during a race, which drives me crazy – ha! Thanks so much for linking up with the blog today; can’t wait to follow along in your journey to the next race!! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Weekend Update
Thanks so much Tara! My watch is driving me crazy…I don’t know what to think! Have a great week!!