Sunday, June 20, 2010

I Love Fathers Day 5k!

So today I did a 5k at John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor, FL with three friends from work!

After last week's 5k I had a goal set for no walking and 37 min.

I didn't sleep great last night which sucked and for some reason this morning my stomach was feeling yucky.

I tried to eat some toast with cream cheese which unfortunately was all we had in the house but it wasn't sitting well so I only ate half.

First off, I'll note what was different from last weeks race:

  • no hills! Granted there were only a few last weekend in the first quarter mile they really sucked.
  • I wore shorts. I knew the heat was going to be bad again so I used by Body Glide (anti-chafing stick) on my inner legs.
  • I wore my new Brooks shoes.
  • I didn't carry my water bottle with me even though there was only one water stop.
  • I listened to music the whole time.
  • I had energy jelly beans before the race.
The race began at 8 a.m. and I knew I'd be running it on my own. My friend Mary is fast. She has been running all her life and came in as the second fastest girl with a little over 20 min. My friends Laura and Kim haven't been running long and we've run together before so I knew my pace would be faster.

BANG! Time to go. Hey! People were taking our photos. Can't wait to see how bad those turned out! :) I was off and feeling good. My play list started with Meet Me Halfway and I was pumped. It was hot but the good thing was this course was in a big park and mostly shaded by trees!

I tried to only focus on myself but it's hard not to notice power walkers passing you. I'd estimate my first mile was around a 4.8-5.0 mph. The water station was at the 1.5 mile mark and I thought it'd never come! I started regretting not carrying my water with me but I finally reached it.

I debated walking though the water stop but I just grabbed my cup and kept going. At this point I felt good enough to know I'd at least still be running until mile 2. I reached the mile 2 marker and if I had to guess my second mile pace was probably around 4.8 but slowed to 4.6 toward the end.

I thought to myself "one mile to go!" I felt pretty good about running the whole thing. I forgot my damn watch so I had no idea what my time was looking like. I didn't want to increase speed much and fatigue so I just maintained.

The course looped so I passed the water station again and snuck another cup. I saw someone else do it so I felt like it was okay. :)

That last mile seemed to last forever. The was a sign that said "Finish" with an arrow around a bend but let me tell you, it was not around the bend. It was another quarter mile at least which sucked but I kept pushing. I decided I was not going to sprint at the end until the finish was in sight.

Based on my play last I had a feeling I was around 35 min. at this point.

I'd say my third mile was around a 4.5 pace.

I saw that 3 mile sign in sight and tried to speed up a touch. Once I saw the finish I sprinted at about a 5.5 to the end. I saw the clock at 38 and change which sunk my heart a bit but I knew I had to pick it up. I crossed at 38:56 but after deducting our 16 second late start I clocked in at:

38:40!

Very happy with myself that I never stopped to talk and that is about one minute and forty seconds faster than my last race.

I won't lie that I felt a bit sad I didn't hit the 37 but my friend Mary told me I should be really proud of that time and that each time I'll shave off more.

My next 5k is in two weeks. Can I shave off 50 seconds to a minute? Possibly...it all depends. I will run and work on speed and hope my stomach feels better that day. The heat is a huge factor and I can't wait to see what time I pull in October for the Race for the Cure 5k.

So in the end I am pumped and proud of myself!

Shoe review? Comfortable and I didn't even notice them the entire run which is a good thing. I knew running with a new pair of shoes was risky but it worked out.

I'll post with some photos later on...maybe...lol.

2 comments:

Jen is losing it. said...

I am sooo proud of and happy for you! You accomplished so much - you got under 40:00, AND you jogged the whole time! Such a great accomplishment. Think of how far you've come. I can't wait to run together on the 4th! We are going to kill it!

Danielle said...

@Jen: Thanks!!! I feel good about the 5k July 4th and I bet you'll be under 40 next weekend! I would say don't try to run with a friend. Start your play list and focus. I think we are okay to run together but I know you said at the Corporate 5k you slowed a bit to stay with your co-worker.

I am going to read up on improving speed and I'll let you know what I find.

Maybe you and Ricky can come to Tampa for the Race for the Cure 5k. It's October 2nd here. :)