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August 03, 2005
5K Fear
I’m racing in a 5K tomorrow tonight that's part of the summer racing series. The most important thing to say about it is that it’s not going to be pretty. My PR is 21:42 (April 2004) and at that time I was running more miles and doing speed work. I am no where near the shape I was in then. I am kind of scared for the race mostly b/c I know it’s going to physically hurt whatever time I end up with. I am actually anticipating the pain and am nervous for it. I am pretty sure this is going to be one of those races where halfway through I think-why am I racing? I like just running so much better. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I have run a 5K since April 04 except for the tri. All I remember from the April 04 race is how much it hurt last time (I was trying, and succeeded (!) to maintain the place I was in-2nd for women). That’s the ONLY thing in the entire world that possessed me to run that hard since I was so uncomfortable. The other problem besides fearing the pain is that I have NO IDEA what time to shoot for and what pace I should run. From my recent 4 mile experiences I know I die if I go out in 7 min pace..but what pace SHOULD I go out at? Ughhhh…it’s going to be so ugly and painful (and probably mid-90s). But, in true happy runner fashion, I say bring it on!!! (Addendum: I just put my 4 Mile time in one of those race calculators and it says I should be able to run the 5K in 23:11. We’ll see about that…I think I can do better…).
My swim this morning was good. 29 minutes and change. I got passed a million times by the two guys and one woman I was sharing a lane with. Um, it’s b/c I was working on technique. Yeah…. Right now it is so gross out. Hot and gross. I have to go buy a bathing suit for the beach this weekend. I also have to buy shoes for a wedding (not mine). I HATE buying shoes b/c my feet are a such a mess and I don't like heels. What a great way to spend the evening! Anyway, have a good night all.
Posted by Audrey at August 3, 2005 05:41 PM
Comments
Hey, good luck in your 5k, I completely understand anticipating the pain. I always say that I have never run a fun run in my life, they are always pretty intense. And, I also have the same thoughts 1/2 -3/4 into the race why am I doing this race, but then afterwards I am glad I did it.
Posted by: Dawn at August 3, 2005 08:38 PM
Good luck. I understand the nervousness - just don't let it make you go out too fast. (This is what I told the girl I paced in a 5K last night, but she still went out too fast!) I know that without knowing your finishing time, you don't really know what "too fast" is, but remember, you can always run the second and third miles as fast as you want! I once read something about the 2/3 point in a race (so the two-mile mark of a 5K) being the halfway point mentally, and for some reason that helped me. I'd recommend that you go out at a pace you're pretty positive you can maintain, and then work on picking people off the rest of the way.
In high school, I used to promise myself mid-race that I could quit running (forever) after I finished the race. The promise no longer works, though, because I now know better.
Have fun!! (In that painful sort of way.)
Posted by: Alison at August 3, 2005 09:50 PM
I'll see ya there tonight Audrey. I am a bit nervous myself as I have not done a 5K in a long time...that short a distance is soooo punishing, but at least it is over relatively quick. At least for this race I am recovered from my double red donation debacle from the last race.
Be the Ball!
Posted by: Rob at August 4, 2005 09:58 AM
Audrey I hope you did well! Or that at least it wasn't as painful :) And I'm sure you can run faster than a 23min 5K, but in these conditions a 24 5K is very fast!
Posted by: Nanda at August 4, 2005 01:25 PM