Independence Day 5k.

Back in January when I was assembling my mental running goals for the year, I set my sights on setting a new PR for my 5k distance on the 4th of July. Let's face is; getting a PR on one of the hottest days of the year just makes the PR that much sweatier, I mean sweeter. 

The 5k is organized and run by my friends and neighbors, and the start is less than a mile from my house. It's a great event for our community. It's a little bit different than your typical race because I run the route, with a couple variations on a weekly basis. Most races you don't have the advantage of knowing the course like the back of your hand. 

I ran this 5k last year intending to PR and ended up having a horrible race-- finishing at around 31 minutes. The course is pavement, with a 1/2 mile stretch of gravel and at the 1.5 mile mark, there's a gradual-appearing-but-actually-butt-kicking-incline. Last year I crashed and burned on the incline, and this year I was looking for revenge!

I had been so excited about this race all spring, so when I was shocked to wake up on the 4th with zero desire to run, let alone race. I woke up and wasn't feeling the greatest and completely unmotivated. I decided not to run, but at last minute talked myself into going because I knew I'd regret it if I didn't. I immediately chucked my idea of PRing, I was going to be happy just to get my butt to the finish line.

The race started and I still wasn't particularly feeling it, but I started to find my pace and just enjoy myself. It's amazing though, because it didn't take long for my inner race monster to wake up and shake the decks. Hey, if we're gonna race........let's RACE! 

I set an slightly uncomfortable pace and just hung on. It was warm, but there was a good breeze- not strong enough to be difficult to run into; just enough to keep you cool. The end was tough, but you when you finish smiling and on empty- that's a win in my book!

In the end I finished with a brand new of PR; 25:37 which demolished my previous PR of 28:27! I was elated to meet my goal, despite not feeling the best! 

My current training plan is geared towards longer distances, but I'm looking forward to another 5k sometime this fall, and this time the goal is to sub-25!

Post-race text out to my sister, who was also racing that morning, just in a different state. She set a new 2 mile record, like a boss. Last year we raced together, and I definitely missed having her race with me.

Recipe for a 5k PR.

A couple of weeks ago my co-worker & friend Miranda heads-me-up-ed about a local  run/walk 5k to support  cancer fighters, survivors and their families! I was super psyched to have another race on the schedule and began to immediately plan for a major PR.  This would be my 4th ever 5k and I was itching to get a sub-30 finish. In my planning, I forgot to consult my schedule.....anyways- I give you a recipe for a PR. 

1. Bonfire the night before the race. The key to speedy running is bonfire-hair. The smell will keep you going  and your fellow racers will lay on the compliments. "Yes, my shampoo is a spin off of the regular apple-wood scent." 

2. Work a midnight shift proceeding the race. I promise you will finish faster if you have been up for at least 16 hours and are just slightly frazzled from work. 

3. Drink an entire pot of coffee. 

(My officers typically save me from inhaling the entire pot by myself, but tonight it was just me in the office and I went to town.)

4. Drag your sister out of bed 32 minutes before the race begins and trick her into running with you by promising her a hazelnut latte post-finish. 

5. Take random pictures of your pre-race faces while hiding from the wind chill in your car.

6. Wear pink. Grey is optional, but pink is absolutely necessary. End of Story. 

7. Stand in some pretty hard-core wind for 5-10 minutes before the race begins. When all 10 of your toes are frozen, it's time to begin running. 

8. Don't take any pictures during the race, post race or happy face. Actually, I wouldn't recommend #8. I am majorly kicking myself that I didn't take pictures to document my success. Bahh......

Anyway-- the race was great! It was super small- no bibs, time recorded or places awarded. No pressure, just a great cause and fantastic way to support your community. I was super sleepy during registration and had a really hard time getting my head in the game. I worked hard to get psyched up and by start time I was ready to rock. 

The runner/walker ratio was pretty lopsided, and there was just a handful of runners. I started out in the head of the pack and expected to get passed like crazy, but I held my own. I felt fantastic the entire race. I didn't check my pace once during the race, just focused on staying strong and feeling awesome despite feeling like the only thing I was capable of was falling asleep mid-stride. 

As I came in towards the finish, I really had no idea what time to expect. I knew I was running really good splits, but I didn't have any idea what my pace was.

My finish time was 28:27!!! My previous 5k PR was 30:31-- I got a two minute PR!!  

A sub-30 5k finish has been my goal all year and at each of my 5ks it eluded me- a cramped-up-nausea-laden-fist-ever-5k in May, too much heat in July and running with a friend in August. 

I ended up finishing #6 overall (I told you it was a small race!!), 4th woman AND I beat my sister.

 (First and only time that will ever happen!! She dinged up her knee in a bike wreck last week, so she's taking it easy to ensure proper healing.) (I put this sentence in parentheses simply so it wouldn't feel left out in this paragraph. I'm thoughtful to words like that.) 

What's your recipe for a PR?

Independence Day 5k!

This year we began a new tradition- 5k on the Fourth!! :) It was pretty chill, lemme tell you!

It was a last minute decision-- I was originally going to be working all day but miracle of miracles- had the day AND night off! Woot!

The race began at 8am, with registration at 7am, so we got there around 7:30.

I loved running in the race because it supported our local community. The race was sponsored by several local small businesses and the proceeds went to the annual firework show! I love me some small town- especially MY small town!

Before the race I was really jittery because my left knee was feeling incredibly weird. Yuck. I warmed up and stretched and stretched knee still felt weird. 

The beginning of the race was weird and I almost lost my focus. I started towards the front of the pack and within the first 100 feet, nearly every person had passed me. I was in the last 10 of the 140ish runners! I was having a hard time judging my pace with all the other runners but I just kept telling myself it was O.K. if they were all THAT much faster than me!

I found my pace and just kept focused........and started passing people like crazy. Within the first 1/2 mile dozens of people dropped down to a walk or slowed significantly. Passing the people should have been exhilarating, but it was exhausting. There were a lot of people runnings in groups-- 4 or 5 wide so passing required running around them and dodging people. I was unbelieveably frustrated but just decided to cool off and just run for fun. Don't sweat the small stuff! I'm glad there were people out there running and running together-- even if they did slow the race down for lots of other people!

It was about 90 degrees and the heat made the run tough. The heat really got to me towards the last part of the race. I've been running EARLY in the mornings when it's about 70 out, so the 20 degrees made a big difference.

The race route was about 1/2 gravel and 1/2 pavement. It had some rolling hills and one stinker of an uphill stretch! There were several aid stations and people out cheering you on the course.

Best running buddy ever!! :)

I finished with a 30:56 time which was 2 seconds faster than my first 5k in May.

After the race there was plenty of water and gatorade and bars- LUNA, Cliff etc...
They gave awards to 1, 2 & 3 plus several different age groups. I would be lying if I was calculating how much faster I have to get by next year in order to place. :)

Post race fuel- scrambled eggs with veggies & chocolate milk with espresso. Super love.

Looking forward to another great 5k next year!!