I love data. I love
it. I like to look at metrics and
trends. Of course, the ONLY way to look
at trends is to A) Set a baseline for comparison. B) Collect data.
Today I ran my first 5K of my Year of the 5K. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve raced a 5K. I figured the best way to launch my Year of the 5K was to just run one cold to see where I am.
5K's hurt. But let's not skip ahead.
I selected a Richmond Road Runners Contract Race that
benefited a local YMCA charity. I like
running the club or contract races because I feel like they’re well
organized. Also, the course is one I’ve
run a few times, so I am familiar with it and knew the topography.
Since it was less than two weeks since Steamtown Marathon, I
wore my marathon race shirt. I figured
that way, if I was slow, I was at least wearing a shirt that proved I’m a
badass.
I arrive early, registered, and ran about a mile warm up
with some high knees and butt kick drills, as well as a few pick ups.
I decided to run without a watch today and just go on
effort. The goal was to run at “Max”
effort for as long as I could. I lined
up a little off the start line because I knew I wasn’t going out to win it.
It wasn’t awful. It
was miserable. It hurt like a ‘mo-fo’,
or a 5K, whichever actually hurts worse. I had a good time. I chased down a guy ahead of me, dropped the
girl tailing me, and in all ran about what I expected. Ok... ok, I ran 1+ minutes faster than I
expected. Pulled out a 26:15, thought I
would run around a 28:ish.
5th female overall, 2nd in AG. It was a small race, but I’ll take it.
My IT band is still a bit sore as it turns out. Who knew?
Anyways. I’ve now got
a baseline upon which to set my standard.
The goal is a 5K about every month or so.
Also, have I mentioned that 5K’s hurt?
~savor the run~
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