If you know me at all, you know I don't do 5K's. They are basically the worst. I'm not a sprinter and that's how 5K's are won.
So why did I do this?
- This would be a good speed test. My last 5K was on May 3rd and I wanted to see how my speed work has paid off.
- I had an 18-miler this weekend. By doing a shorter race (plus warm-up/cool-down) I would still be able to get in my long run on Sunday. When I run a 10K I add on mileage after to get the long run distance and that gets exhausting. Better to start fresh the next day.
Although it would be painful I was looking forward to the race. Mostly because it was a Rock CF event so I knew everything about it would be awesome! I picked up my shirt and bib the day before (I always feel better being prepared pre-race). I arrived during the lunch rush so it was pretty hoppin'. I stayed and helped Emily (race director, Rock CF founder, and all-around amazing lady) for a while because she was by herself. It's so much fun to help with packet pick-up. I love seeing who is going to be racing. One runner told me he didn't need safety pins because he would use his lucky pins. He ALWAYS uses his lucky pins. I thought about my piles of safety pins at home and thought that might not be a bad idea. But I can't stop hoarding the pins! (I think I have a problem.)
I have to mention that the swag for this race is awesome. With your entry fee you get a super soft cotton tee shirt, a bag (with a zipper and a pocket), and 2 tickets to Arts Beats & Eats. Not a bad deal!
On race day I got to Royal Oak early to do my warm-up. It was very humid and I was already sweating after 2 miles! Thankfully the sky was overcast and we even got a few raindrops to cool us off before the start. My RUNdetroit teammate Sara was racing the 5K, as well, so we started together. I was so happy she was there! She was ahead of my for the first mile and I credit my speedy start to her and her friend Laura (who won the 10K). I caught up to them and we all ran mile 2 together.
After that I started to drop back. Sara went ahead and encouraged me to keep up but I just couldn't hang. The early fast pace of the first two miles caught up with me. I was fading fast. Although I was still well within my tempo range I had to push really hard. That finish line couldn't come soon enough!
I was so glad to have Sara in front of me to chase. She finished ahead of me, first female, and I was right behind. I gave her a big hug when I crossed the finish line. I was so proud of her for winning! And I was so grateful to have her there to help me push hard. I couldn't have done it without her!
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| Photo courtesy of Ian Pettigrew Photography |
I'm now just 12 seconds off my 5K PR. A best-shape, Boston-ready, pre-injury PR at that. I need to work on my pacing (6:12, 6:15, 6:33 are hardly consistent) so I don't burn out in the last mile. And on October 17th I'll be stepping out of my comfort zone to chase that PR once again!
Distance
5K
Time
20:16
Pace
6:32/mile
Fuel
Banana, CLIF Shot - Vanilla
Tunes*
I Want You to Want Me / Cheap Trick
Hey Jealousy / Gin Blossoms
1983 / Neon Trees
All is Well / Soul Asylum
Everybody Talks / Neon Trees
The Innocent / Mayer Hawthorne
*Cheap Trick, Gin Blossoms, Neon Trees are 2015 ABE artists; Soul Asylum and Mayer Hawthorne are past ABE artists
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| Medals for age group awards |
;-)
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