Last-Minute 5K, and Lots of Racing On the Horizon

I'm usually plan out my races pretty far in advance, but earlier this week I found out a few friends from the running club were going to do a 5K tomorrow night, and I knew I wanted in.

I like weeknight races - no need to mess with our weekend plans - and after an incredible track workout last week, I'm dying to see what I can do in a short-distance race (most of my summer races have been longer ones).

The track workout in question was 1-mile repeats. I planned to do 3 of them, but ended up doing 4, because I felt so great. Yes, I felt great after doing 3 x 1-mile repeats - who says that????  But even better than the fact that I felt fabulous is the fact that I ran each mile repeat at approximately a 6:30 pace!!!!!  And did I mention I did FOUR of them???

For someone who's aiming for a sub-21-minute 5K, a workout like that is a huge confidence booster. I'm certainly not expecting to run a 6:30 pace tomorrow night - I won't be taking 400m recovery laps in between each mile, after all - and I'm not expecting to break 21 minutes tomorrow night, either. But I am expecting to shave at least a little time off my 21:38 PR, and get closer to my ultimate goal.

Weather looks like it will cooperate, too - after two very steamy, muggy days, we're going to be treated to much drier, cooler air - so happy the timing worked out well with that!

After tomorrow, I'm going to focus on getting in a few more good bike rides to prepare for the biathlon; try to decide whether or not I'm doing the triathlon on the 16th; and continue with my weekly track workouts and tempo runs to get ready for the Zooma Cape Cod Half on September 22nd, and the Newport half - final leg of the Triple Crown - on October 14th.

I've been really good about sticking with the track workouts, but last week was the first tempo run I had done in nearly two months. I had no idea what to expect when I set out on my 7-mile loop by the ocean. I was pleasantly surprised. After a 1-mile warmup, I was able to run 6 miles at an average 7:17 pace.

With the 5K tomorrow, I won't be doing a tempo run this Thursday, but I'll definitely fit one in next week. I forgot how much I love the challenge - not quite as torturous as track, but leaves you with a similar feeling of accomplishment.

The other thing looming in September is Boston registration. Registration for the fastest runners opens on September 10th, and after all those super speedy runners have registered (those who have beat their qualifying times by 20, 10, and 5 minutes), the rest of us 'slowpokes' (I beat my qualifying time by 'only' 4 minutes) get our shot.

I like the new registration system - I think it's a much more fair and equitable way of doing things. But it's still going to suck if I don't get in. I want the Boston experience at least once, and I'd really like for it to be this year.

If it doesn't happen, there's nothing I can do about it, so I'm trying not to get ahead of myself, but I will be keeping my fingers crossed that I'm not shut out. Luckily I have all the above-mentioned races to keep my mind off it!

Back with a Roger Schonning 5K race recap later this week!

Comments

[Laura]

Good luck on the 5k- that's a huge confidence boosting run! I'm sure you have a sub-21 in you, even if it doesn't happen this time. Crossing my fingers for Boston for you, too!