5K Race Tomorrow
And I think I'm going to actually "race" it. Or at least count it as my speedwork for the week!
I'm a little nervous - it's a cross-country race, and although I've done tons of trail running (and even a few trail races), I've never done an official "cross-country" race. I don't know if there's a difference! Also, the last time I ran a 5K, it was my first race ever. I finished in about 38 minutes. I held back too much, and realized that I had a lot more energy when I finished. I don't want that to happen this time around, so I'm going to go all out from the beginning. It's only 3.1 miles, right? Nothing like the 31 I did in February. But surprisingly, I feel more nervous about this one! I think it's also nerve-racking, because I've never laid eyes on the course, and it's all the way over on the other side of town (Tucson has huge sprawl, so it'll take forEVER to get there!).
So, I don't really have a time goal, but I do have a goal involving time: to run as fast and hard as I can possibly run. Period. I'm very intrigued to see what my time will be. I have never just run all-out for any length of time.
As an added bonus, I will chase my 5K with a 17-miler either that afternoon or Sunday morning, for a total of 20 for the weekend, and just over 30 for the week.
Comments
Good luck on the 5k and the long run afterwards. HOpefully, it'll be scenic enough to allow you to enjoy it rather than focusing on how hard it'll be pushing yourself through the whole race. But like you said, it's only 3.1 miles right? Have a good stretch and a good meal afterwards before doing the long run and hopefully, your ITB won't give you any problems.
Posted by: Ben | April 21, 2006 11:38 AM
Good luck on your race tomorrow! I think that you can push much earlier and much harder on a 5K than you would on any longer races, simply because endurance doesn't really factor in. You'll do great!
Posted by: Christine | April 21, 2006 11:42 AM
The 5K is more about speed than endurance. It's bound to hurt a little, but don't go completely crazy. Go for it. No matter what you'll set a PR! And how cool is that.
Posted by: darrell | April 21, 2006 12:03 PM
Good luck! Remember to have fun!!
Posted by: Simba's Mom | April 21, 2006 12:08 PM
Angie, we'll be doing opposites - I'm running a 5K too, but very, very easy. I'll think of you as I'm trotting along and you think of me as you're flying along!
Posted by: backofpack | April 21, 2006 12:14 PM
Good Luck tomorrow. I am sure your time will blow mine away.
Posted by: kiki | April 21, 2006 12:20 PM
Good luck tomorrow! I always get sick to my stomach before races...i've got one sunday and i'm already feeling ill!!
(OK, so my post, bcs you don't have an e-mail, i'll explain here: I listed ALL--every single one of--the reasons that I love running. Get it now??)
:)
Posted by: jeanne | April 21, 2006 01:00 PM
Good Luck on the 5K! You'll be surprised how tough such a short race can be! You'll do great!
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 21, 2006 01:06 PM
Have fun tomorrow, I'll see you out there! Since the course is two loops you'll see all the surprises by the time you're half-way done. I've never been out there either.
Posted by: Mike Salkowski | April 21, 2006 02:24 PM
I think 5K's may be one of the toughest distances to run...because it is a speed workout...but you don't want to blow up too soon...yet...you want to go out fast enough...it's hard to gauge. But like anything else, we learn from doing it time and again...
Have fun tomorrow. Can't wait to hear about it.
Posted by: Kim | April 21, 2006 03:00 PM
I am completely calm before a 50K or a 50 miler and a bundle of nerves before a 10K. I can honestly say that at times I think the short races are much more painful. Remember, you are supposed to be out of breath and feeling like you could keel over at any moment.
Posted by: Rob | April 21, 2006 05:31 PM
You don't need luck... You got everything it takes inside you, girl.
Talking about your weekend mileage like that though... You're starting to sound like Rob!
Rock on, Angie. Can't wait to hear how it went.
Posted by: Sarah Elaine | April 21, 2006 08:06 PM
Go Angie Go!
For 5k, I like to go out as if I'm tempo running the first mile, and then start cranking as hard as I can. As in, I feel like I'm going to puke now, okay that's fast enough :)
Just remember, do whatever works for YOU, and have a great time!
Posted by: Liv | April 21, 2006 08:51 PM
Best of luck for tomorrow! I imagine I'm going to be in awe of your time when you post it. Maybe this time next year I could think about going all-out for 5km, but for now, I'm just going to plod along in my next race.
Good luck, and have a lot of fun!
Posted by: Reece | April 21, 2006 09:35 PM