I Love America 5K

5K Improvement!

 

I got a 21:23 at the Cotton Row Run 5K back on May 25.  That was the exact same time I had gotten back in October at the Spooktacular 5K.  I was a little bummed that I hadn't improved at all since then, but honestly I should not expect more right now.  I haven't been doing any speedwork or any type of 5K training.  Getting back to sub 20 is going to take some work. 

 

I decided to push myself and try for a sub-21 at the I Love America 5K.  I had a comp entry for the race, and most of my team was at another Fourth of July race.  No reason not to just go for it even though these 5K races are HARD for me right now.  We had a nice cooler day with some rain in the morning, and fellow teammate Alison and I set up the finish line arch before the race.  

 

I was able to a get a first place female finish and a time of 20:59 (sub-21, I'll take it!).  I didn't record my splits, but I did use a Garmin since I've been starting too fast in 5Ks and can't hold my pace.  Today I went for sub 7 miles, trying to stay a little more consistent for all 3 miles.  A high school girl was right behind me and finished only seconds behind me!

 

It felt so good to break that barrier of 21 minutes--with a time of 20:59 which would once be "slow" for me!  I have a long way to go, but this race did wonders for my self confidence. 

 

I am now in marathon training mode!  4 weeks into Hal Higdon's Advanced 1 going for a 3:30 in the Indianapolis Marathon in November.  I did a 6 mile pace run today (8:00 pace, last mile was 7:30!).  Faster runs are starting to feel good, and I am so happy about that!  I'm also working on dropping the last of the baby weight.  I will write more about that later if I find the time!

 

 

The race start 

 

 

Nearing the finish!

 

 

*Note: The results say I finished in 20:17, but that is not my time.  Something messed up with the timing.