My 5k Experience

jrich1

Well I did my second 5k on saturday... my first one I trained and trained for.. I was 25lbs lighter.. well life happened I am starting to get the weight off again and did this to prove to myself that I still had it.. I could still run and feel like I accomplished something...

The race was accentuated by a cold front and pending rain.. I was hoping to get in before the rain.. I was nervous, the only training I had done on this one was running on the treadmill, the seasons of it being dark so I couldnt run outside prevented me from doing a race length practice run outside, I had worked my way back up to doing 3 miles straight at around 5.2 or so on the treadmill..
The course was advertised as a flat course and it was in my area (5min from my house)

Well I got up in the morning ate a bowl of cereal and was nervous.. knowing that my 32:33 would be ringing in my head (my original time) and coming to terms that this wasnt going to beat that. I was shooting for finishing..

My kids asked if I was going to win.. I told them for me finishing would be winning...

Well I got a free shirt from my Gym to wear to advertise for them (GO ANY TIME FITNESS AUBREY TX!) so it comes time.. the temp is in the low 40's I forgo the long sleeve shirt and just do long track pants and a jacket till race time..

It was a smaller race, maybe 100 people total running it, I go to the start line and get in the middle of the pack.. I basically got behind anyone who looked like a runner not to get in their way.. I cranked up my Ipod and the first song Disturbed Down with the Sickness comes on (I dont run with head phones but this was a closed course and I needed all the help I could get to get my mind off of what was about to happen).. My wife and kids are waving to me, I make one more comment.. "be back in 35min!"
We took off, I felt good running outside.. I had my HRM on to get cals burned but to see my Heart rate.. the anticipation had my HR at 130 before I even started running leaving the parking lot of the school we go out on the road.. I am in the middle of the pack.. by this point my HR is nearing 170... and I looked ahead and see something.. something I wasnt expecting.. we were running UP HILL (Where did my flat course go).. I push on up the hill and see the 1k mark go by and then the 2k.. nearing the turn around to go back.. I did make it up the hill stopping to walk (and making myself kinda mad I had to walk so early) I near the half way point and come up to the water station I take a cup and open my mouth and throw it in.. mostly going in and ending up down my shirt and I take off back down the hill.. looking back at this point I am still middle of the pack.. and kinda alone at this point.. person in front of my is probably 50yds and a girl coming up behind me at probably 100yds behind me.. as I push on to the 3k I see the girl is getting closer.. and somewhere around here she passes me.. well I see this knowning where she was and I kick it in a little to keep up with her.. she sees this and gives me a thumbs up.

Now what happens kinda shocked me.. she keeps next to me and starts keeping my pace.. I slow down she does, but she is encouraging me telling me to keep going (obviously seeing I am in pain haha).. we cross the 4k sign side by side and up towards another hill she is saying come on we can do it!.. I look down my HR is nearly 182bpm but I keep pushing...

Well I know past 4k its only about a half mile to go and we come back near into the school and I see the finish line... I remember her saying Yup you are almost there its not a mirage.. coming up to the final area I see my kids cheering me and they run over to tell my wife I am coming.. well I make the finial turn so I can see the clock and I am shocked its not as bad as I thought it was....

I cross the finish line with my new found encouragement finishing at the same time.. I look forward and the lady handed me a bottle of water and told me not to stop but to walk some...

I see my new friend one more time as she comes and gives me a high 5 and says great job..

My official time was 34:51..

Nearing the finish


Winning! I was just 2 min off my old time and with the hills I think I did good

k8bugz

Congrats!

JoolieW68

Awesome job!

SueInAz

Way to go! I've been running since last April and can barely do a 5K in under 35 minutes. Keep up the hard work and you'll be getting personal best times soon!

tinattinat

That is absolutely awesome! Well done, dude!

hbrittingham

Good job!

jrich1

Thanks!

I am doing another one on 4/7

gmpearson

Great job! What an accomplishment! Keep up the running, and in NO time you will set a new PR!!! Work on adding a little mileage in (slowly - don't do too much at a time), and add some intervals.

Hopefully as a form of encouragement (please do not take it as boasting or "one-upping"), I ran a 23:57 in my last 5K in January. That is my PR, but it is more important to show where I came from to get there...

Oct 2009: 34:07 (did little to no running to prepare)
Oct 2010: 34:02 (did very little running to prepare)
Jan 2011 (mid): 31:22 (started running 2-3 miles 3 times a week to prepare)
Jan 2011 (late): 30:32 (same amount of running as above)
Mar 2011: 27:08 (started running 3-4 miles 3-4 times per week to prepare)
Oct 2011: 25:13 (running 3-4 miles 5 times per week)
Jan 2012: 23:57 (running about 15-18 miles per week AND intervals AND strength training)

My next race is this Saturday, and I have upped my running to 20-25 miles per week, intervals, weights, and circuit training.

My point, and hopefully encouragement to you, is that keep up your hard work. You will DEFINITELY see improvement, and it will come with time. Keep yourself motivated by running a 5K every couple of months to see where you are at. It is GREAT that your kids want to see you do well and that your family is supportive! Keep up the hard work and let us know how the race in April goes!!! Best of luck to you!

ryno0618

awesome job, friend!!!!! Proving it to yourself is what's so awesome about this accomplishment. Great job on this 5k and good luck on the next one!! woot woot!

BrianSharpe

Fantastic!