Someone woke up my legs! (5k race report)

Not sure how it happened, but I've now set a new PR for ALL running distances this year. It's been 5 years of running 5k and further distance races, and suddenly, my body is cooperating. I'm sooooo happy about this. It makes me want to see how much better I can do next year. I'd love for this trend to continue.

Today I ran the Run-A-MUC 5k at Mount Union. My first goal, a PR (under 25:42), but the even bigger goal, to break 25 minutes. Did it!!!! Finished in 24:56. I have been trying to do this since the spring of 2007!

Today's Garmin Stats:
Mile 1 - 7:54
Mile 2 - 8:11
Mile 3 - 8:22
Mile .7 - :28

Average Heart Rate - 181, Max Heart Rate - 187

Yes, the Garmin only shows 3.07 miles. That bums me a little. I know Garmins, can be a little off, so that is my hope. I just wish it was over distance instead of under. I hate to say I got under 25 min, BUT it might have been a bit short. :-( No matter what, I know I ran my fastest ever!

I think I was about the 10th woman overall in the race today. I started out way too fast in the first 1/2 mile, and so I got to see each of the 9 other women pass me in the second half of that mile. :) It was nice to know where I was overall though.

At the awards I found out I placed 2nd in my age group, 30 to 39. ( I have no idea how many of us there were though?!? )

My college roommate from when we were students at Mount Union also ran the 5k today. Here we are headed to the starting line, looking REALLY happy:

She did GREAT today AND she beat her goal for the day by over 2 minutes!

Waiting for the gun:

The start of the race:

Rounding the track for the last 200 meters. I am right under the clock showing my current time:


Finish line:


After the 5k was a kid's race. One lap around the track:

In this picture above you'll see both of my sons (Lane 6 - red shirt/grey pants and grey shirt/blue pants.) My older son loved it (mostly because he finished 3rd.) My little guy was crying for the last 10 yards though. :-( He thought he was in last. Plus, he wanted to finish WITH big brother. I felt so bad that he couldn't just have FUN! :-(
Also in the kid's race were my friend's sons, Lane 5 and Lane 7. :)

Happy son at finish:

Sad son:

Maybe a little speed

The 5k that I'm running on Saturday is going to be my first of the year (and probably last, since it's already October.) With the success I've thankfully had in running this year, I've been hoping for a 5k PR this weekend. (Which means beating my time of 25:42 set in Dayton way back in May of '07.) Okay, secretly, I REALLY want to break 25 minutes. I'd be thrilled with 24:59.

Well, that is until these last few weeks where my cardio workouts have really dropped. (I took 7 days off from swimming, biking AND running after the Akron Half Mary / Rev3 Half!) I did some lifting in there, but NO cardio. After that, I've only been doing mostly 1 hr or less cardio workouts.

Plus, I haven't been watching what I eat. My meals haven't been as healthy as normal, AND I've been doing a lot of snacking / desserts. Which means the number has been going UP on the scale.

So, for the last week I've been accepting the fact that I'm just going to have to run for FUN on Saturday. No pressure.

Then, I went to the Nat today for my last "speed" workout before this race. I was hoping to run a couple a miles at least close to 8 min. miles. While warming up, I even decided 8:30 min. miles would be a good goal for today.

One mile warm up - 10:06

Pit stop, and walk a lap, then -

Mile 2 - 7:40

Walk a few laps, then -

Mile 3 - 7:35

NO WAY!!!! I just ran TWO miles faster than I ever have before!!! Back in March I ran my first ever sub 8 min mile in 7:48 - Blogged about that here: http://kimzepp.blogspot.com/2010/03/748.html

I'm still in a bit of shock. I didn't know I could do this. I have to admit, I had help. There was a guy running almost that exact pace. I was running just a few feet infront of him. Hearing his footsteps behind me really kept me moving. I chatted with him between miles, and he said he'd run again with me on my second attempt. How cool.

What this means, is that now I really have to go for it on Saturday. I really need to give it my all on this 5k. A pace of 8:03 would get me the 24:59 I want. I think I should be able to do it. The miles I ran today were inside (no wind) and on a track (flat.) The course for Saturday isn't too hilly, but could be a bit windy. So far the weather forecast looks decent. Probably around 50 degrees and mostly cloudy.

The pressure is on...

New look

Since I have now completed my first half iron, I decided it was time for a new look on the blog. As you can see, I'm still pretty proud of completing the Half Rev. (That's where all the pics are from.) :-)

I keep thinking about my new goals. I have to set them; that's how I motivate myself.

There are a few goals on my mind, some more realistic than others.

2011

• Complete a marathon - I was thinking Cleveland, but was talked into Cincinnati. However, I might be out of the state the day of the Flying Pig, so now I'm back with Rock and Roll.
• Cut out more of the junk food - This is a MUST!
• Drop 5 - 10 lbs. - See above
• Complete Rev3 Half Cedar Point, FASTER (aim to cut off about 30 minutes)

OR

• Complete Rev3 FULL IRON - all 140.6 (Hmmm, might be dreaming here....)

Next up: Run a MUC 5k, Saturday October 23, 2010.