I've been thinking a lot about why I picked a battle with the 5K this summer. I've never used to run 5ks, I've always thought that they are not worth the effort, only 3 little painful miles. But after the marathon I got bored with not training. I also had a bad taste in my mouth from the Boston marathon. I spent a lot of time looking over my training, and figuring out how to train for my fall marathon, and how to train for my half iron in August. And then I realized that I ran a lot of track during the marathon training cycle, and I ran it very fast (for me). And then the 5K idea! Based on my stats, it looked like I could easily break 20. My mile repeats during marathon training were between 6:05 and 6:22, which would certainly be enough for a sub 20. Hence, the
first 5K. Then
the second. It became a bit addictive and after the second one I kept looking for my next one immediately. I was mad, because had the course been right, I would have gotten my sub 20. I was mad, particularly after the second one, because my vomiting urges during the last mile made me slow down when otherwise I felt great. I was mad because I always/almost always get what I want. But making decisions when I am mad is something I learned not to do. So I took time away, and looked at the big picture of my training. I realized that I have to think long term vs short term. The marathon is my long term goal. And while a sub 20 5K would make me feel all special and good for a few minutes, it's not worth spending all my weekends running 5Ks until I get my sub 20. The marathon is my "A" goal and I am going to need to get my long runs in. So I signed up for one more 5K, June 6
th (thanks Katie), flat and fast, hopefully accurate. I will probably go to the track once or twice for mile repeats before it. If I don't get my goal, I'll try again sometime in the future. Just not this summer.
I've been reading lots of 5K reports as of late. I realized that I don't care about being third, or second, or even first (I was first only once, in an 8 mile small trail race). I don't even care about the prizes (though $150 worth of massages is not nothing). What I really care about is
PRing and getting that silly sub 20. Because whether you are first or second or last is relative to how small or big the race is, who shows up, how accurate the course is (had to throw that in). But a PR is a PR, and it stands on its own. It becomes my history.
So, one more shot at the 5K, lots of swim and bike, with an extra dose of running during late summer. And, of course, lots and lots and lots of this:
17 comments:
Great picture! You sound just like me...I am not a 5k fan, always keeping a fall marathon as my big goal. But each year I'll get out and do a couple. I think they are good for some added speed/faster twitch development, but yeah, probably smart not to get too caught up. I hope you break 20, but if you don't, it sounds like you're ok with that for now!
You will do it and it will be extra exciting when you do. You are being smart though. It isn't worth getting hurt over.
Funny thing, I all my years as a rosd runner I raced my first 5K in July 2007 at the age of 52. I was hoping to break 19 mins but the heat got to me and I finished around 19:20. It was my first and last 5K!
I think you should run one or two more 5Ks. You're so close to breaking 20 it would be a shame not to go for it. Good Luck
our arms look great!
*your
Yes, it's about chasing that PR. I have to say I did place first in my age group recently and it was a thrill. But you are so right about the fact that it depends who shows up on that day. I got kinda lucky. Good luck with trianing and with smoochy that cute little kid of yours!!
Your so right. It does become part of our history and it's so worth chasing. I know you will hit sub 20 in a couple of weeks. I know it.
Awe, I love the picture - yes, lots and lots of hugs to that little guy!!
I can't run a 5K to save my life, and as much as the numbers show I should run x, I always run y. Frustrating, and I certainly understand your desires. I don't do them often, but thinking I'm going to do them more this summer just for some much-needed speedwork. I run a lot faster if there is an entry fee and it gets me in shape a bit faster. Sounds like you got a plan, and a good one at that!!!
I think that's the difference between triathlons and running races. In running races, all I really care about is my time. 1st or 10th. Who cares?? But in a triathlon, somehow it's not about time anymore. Maybe because all courses are so different (though I guess running courses are too?) but for whatever reason, it becomes more about competing (for me anyway) against others than against the clock. In triathlon, I'd rather do a hard race course and get a slower time but place well than just go do a flat fast course to get a good time that doesn't really matter anyway. But in running, I'm all about a flat fast course with good weather. I wonder why that is? That times matter more in running than in triathlon? Or I wonder if this is the same for other athletes or if I'm just the oddball out on this one? Thought-provoking for sure! :)
It seems that you are fast enough to break those 20min even if you do not train specifically for 5k. I have been following your progress from the beginning and I think you are really talented. Therefore, I think that you can continue your marathon training and if your throw in an occasional 5k race over summer, you will get your sub20.
The women I'm training with are all going for the olympic qualifier times and they race lots of 5Ks. The theory being the faster you are at a 5K, the faster you are at a 10k, the faster you are at a half marathon and the faster you are at a marathon. Point being, I don't think racing a lot of 5Ks is a bad idea if you get the long runs in as well.
Ah.. yes, nothing quite slows you down like "vomiting urges."
Keep on keeping on!
-M
Good for you for examining your priorities. It's easy to sometimes lose sight of your goal, and get sidetracked.
Although I can certainly see the attraction of running a 5K, it's such a quick fix! You get in, run your heart out, and you're finished.
http://www.momshomerun.blogspot.com
Awww, what a great picture. :o)
Once last summer I really needed a mid-length run, but there was a 5K on my schedule. Fortunately it was 2 miles from my house so I ran there and back. It was more like a tempo run that way, and I even got a PR.
It's OK to have both short and long race goals at the same time ... you just have to make them work together :)
Great pic! I totally agree with Angela and David Kidd. I think running some hard 5ks can totally help to improve your time in the marathon.
For me, the rest of the summer will be devoted to getting my base and then 5ks to work on my speed which should help me in the marathon.
It's really hard to dual train, but if you do it right, the marathon compliments the 5k, and the 5k compliments the marathon. My question has always been "what's right?" My last 2 marathons, I did cut way back on the racing during my marathon training. So hard for me because I like all of the races.
Awesome picture! 5k's hold a special place in my heart given that's what I raced for 8 years, but I agree with you. I'm much more interested in the marathon now, and I've never really cared about placing, just times. I never even stick around for the awards. I'm way more intreated in looking at the results later on the Internet. I think you'll break 20 min in June. Just make sure you start right in the front. Good Luck!
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