How to Run a 5K

So I ran a 5K last weekend and it was tons of fun but I didn't do as well as I hoped.  I finished just under 24 minutes, which is still fine and all, but I was hoping to be in the low-23s at least.  I just never was really able to get in the groove and I definitely felt my coffee talking back to me.  I had to hold it down a bit in the middle because I kept massively burping coffee.

Yummy!

Anyway, yesterday and Tuesday I killed both of my runs.  Easily coasted along in the mid to low-8s.  Seriously.  Why?  Whywhywhy?  I felt great, but was also slightly annoyed.

Why am I so much better at pretty much every distance but 5K?

So I asked one of my super fast Cross Country AP kids.  What's your secret?  There must be a secret.

He said what I already pretty much know.

"It's mostly just mental."

Sigh.

So why is it that I can push myself longer but not really faster?  Why when I'm pushing FAST do I so easily poop out and make excuses?

My favorite excuse which usually hits me around mile 1.2 or so is "I'm just no good at these short races."

This sounds pretty elementary, but with that piss-poor attitude, of course I'm going to slow down.  Why would I get faster if I keep telling myself I'm no good?

So the XC fast kid also told me that I should think of the race starting--STARTING--at mile 3.  "The first two miles should be automatic, and then when you hit mile 3, you should really start to race."

Interesting.

Usually I run mile 1 at a speed that I can't handle, start to give in to the pain and puking reflex around 1.5, and get progressively slower each mile after that.

So, I'm going to run two more 5Ks here in the end of the year.  Now, I know what you're thinking: triathlete logic should say that it isn't possible to get faster during the off-season and see decent times, right?

The weird thing is that I shattered a 9-year old 5K PR last December.  DECEMBER!  Who has two thumbs and PR's a 5K in December?

This girl.

(I am so weird.)

So I know that it IS in me.  Somewhere in there a little dose of speed exists and perhaps it didn't go ALL to my brother who can run a 17 minute 5K (and, by the way, says he's "slow").

My time was okay.  It would have actually got me 1st in the 30-34 age group (small race!) but I didn't even place top 3 in 35-39.  Reminding me yet again that as you get older, you'd better get faster because IT'S ON.

So I think I'll work a bit on the head game here this winter and see if I can coax a little speed out of this endurance body.

Giddyup.

Two "Summer" Rides

Summer had one last gasp here in the NEO this week.  TWICE--yes, TWICE!--this week, after a long day at work, I rushed home, hopped on the CD0.1, and headed out for a quick 20 miles.

And quick it was.  This girlz still gotz it.  It took me an hour both times, and I pushed some good watts to boot.  Yay!

Let's be honest--I was just SO! EXCITED! to be riding my bike after putting in a full day at work and sneaking out before dinner while it was still sunny, warm, and full of fall awesomeness.  I mean, sleeveless jersey, people!  I really didn't think I'd be able to pull this off this late in the season.

Got home and Bug and Bean were super excited to "ride" with me.  We put on our helmets and went around the block.  Bug on his two wheeler (aka "My Bike With Two Wheels Not Four Wheels") and Bean even joined us for a few houses on her balance bike.  I was decked out in full Evotri gear as we went around the block.  I'm sure I looked pretty hardcore  RIDICULOUS.

But not to Bug and Bean, and that's what matters. :)

Now it's pouring rain and 45 degrees.  And I know that my fate in the basement on the trainer is pretty much sealed for a good 5 months or so.

But me on the basement will remember how much fun me yesterday had.  And she'll be super jealous.  And it will make her work harder so she can tear it up even more next spring.

Accidental blog-cation

Hi!

Is this thing still on?

*tap, tap, tap*

Sorry I disappeared off the face of the earth there.  I swear I have lots to say but just no time to say it!  Hopefully things will settle in soon.  The short version:  school = crazy but good, kids = awesome, Matt = bestest supportive-est husband ever.

What have I been doing?

Um...not swimming.  I KNOW!  I'm horrible.  But I swear I am going to get into that soon. I needed a bit of an off-season, and off-season I've had.

I've been doing lots of running--not long, but quality (or at least trying to).  I think my running legs are actually coming back (yay!) and not a moment too soon, since I have a 5K next weekend.

5k? The ones that hurt?

Yes, those ones.

So in short, I will be back as soon as I can.  I have big plans to discuss, people.  And in the meantime, I hope you're training like crazy and having fun, too.