Today I ran the Run Like Hell 5K. It was my first race since my Half Marathon in May – and the big test on how well I’d recovered since my knee injury.
My goal was to finish in under 30 minutes – something that wouldn’t have been too difficult 5 months ago – but that I knew would be a stretch today.
My first mile wasn’t as fast as I thought – possibly because I spent so much time trying to pass walkers & slower runners. I also started out very annoyed. Seriously people – if you’re walking a race, don’t stand at the beginning of the chute – that’s for runners. Dumbasses.
Anyways – I was almost to mile 1 when I saw the 5K leader headed back. He’d been running for maybe 10 minutes tops at that point.
The second mile was great – it was fast & flat.
Just after passing the 2-mile marker, I heard someone yell my name. I looked over & it was one of my Monday-night workout partners! I hadn’t seen her since July 4 when I pulled my hamstring. We ran together for a bit, and then I pulled out in front of her.
The last mile was going well until the last 1/4 mile. The last 1/4 mile was a slight incline – which shouldn’t have been a problem. But since starting knee-hab, I have been doing only very, very flat runs – no incline. I’m hoping that I can start hill running again soon, because that used to be my strength.
My friend passed me in that last 1/4 mile and finished slightly ahead of me.
My final time, according to my Garmin, was 31:09.
Splits:
Mile 1: 10:22
Mile 2: 10:13
Mile 3.1: 10:33
For some reason, the Garmin, which had gotten up to 2.6 miles retracted its statement & went back 1/2 mile – I’m not sure what happened there, but it said I only ran 2.5 miles. Which is both weird & lame (especially since I saw it roll back the mileage).
According to Garmin, my average pace was 12:14. However, since I know that can’t be so, I think I’ll stick with 10:01 pace. Not bad, really.
The last 5K I ran my time was 38:11, with a pace of 12:35. That race was in March 2007. So, in a year & a half, I’ve improved my overall time just over 7 minutes & my pace over 2 1/2 minutes! Good enough for a PR – and good enough for me!
Next time I do a 5K, I know I can come in under 30 – and now I have something to shoot for. Also – I need to get back to my hills!
Congrats to everyone else out there who raced this weekend!
WOOHOO! Gazelle i am proud of you!! You rocked that 5K! Good for you!
I am doing a 5K in Nov! I am looking forward to it. I want to do it in about 28.30. It’s a totally flat course. It’s actually where i run everyday.
Congrats!!!
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
I usually prefer longer distances; but it was so much fun to PR! I am definitely looking forward to my next one.
DINGDANG GIRL!!! that is so AWESOME!!!
Did you actually run the whole thing or did you run/walk? That is a super time improvement too considering your injury.
(she types in her hippo/treadmill t-shirt!)
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
I ran the whole thing, although admittedly on that last little incline, it was pretty damn slow for a run!
Great job! I’d love to get under a 30 min 5k. That hasn’t happened…well…ever! My fastest 5k in college was 30:31. Maybe in the spring when we are training for our San Diego marathon we can pick a 5k and use it as a speedwork race =).
Let’s do coffee or lunch this week!
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
We should definitely pick up a 5K in the spring! I’m still not sure about the spring marathon, but I definitely am up for running together starting in a couple of weeks.
That annoys me with walkers as well! Congratulations on your PR! Well done!
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
Thank you!
Great race!
Sounds like your Garmin has a serious attitude problem though–may need to be slapped around a bit. It’s supposed to be on YOUR side!
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
I know!. It was very sad when it betrayed me like that.
congrats on a race well-run! Next time I’ll be there with my swiffer mop boa to cheer you on
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
you show up with your swiffer boa and martinis are definitely on me!
Great race! I’d love to get under 30 mins for a 5k. Still, you did really well and should be happy! Glad the knee didn’t act up more.
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
thank you! I am pretty happy about the results, even if they weren’t QUITE what i wanted – at least I was able to both run AND finish!
Good job! I was waiting to hear how your race went! I’m happy for you
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
I’m looking forward to our turkey trot! I need to start hitting the hills!
Nice job! It looks like you’re back! yippy yippy.
I agree that walkers/slow runners are the lamest when they are in the front. I mean really. I’m sure I’ve said some not-so-nice things to them in the past.
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
If it hadn’t been for the conversational walkers at the beginning and that hill at the end, I would’ve been sub-30 for sure. (I’m sure the hill was more to blame than the walkers, but still! dumbasses.)
Way to go! I’m having a little trouble getting back into the running routine after Portland. Maybe I need to sign up for a 5K and shoot for breaking 30. Cool. You just gave me a goal!
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
yay! I’m glad that I could help with the goal!
Wahoo! A PR!!
And you’ve just recovered from an injury to boot! Very impressive Gazelle!
BTW: my new WW-ing occurs Mondays on NE Broadway – right next to the Safeway at the new WW Center. 12:15pm. Would love to have a friend there!
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
I’ll be there Monday. Definitely need it after this last week.
GREAT JOB!!!! yay for your first race back!
sooo weird about your garmin – i would be so annoyed!
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
It’s never done that before – it was weird. I hope that’s not indicative of future performance.
Nice job!! Great run!! Here’s to under 30 in the next one!
gazelle reply on October 21st, 2008:
thanks! In my dreams I’m as fast as you, but I’ll settle for getting under a 10 minute mile for now!