Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Race for PAWS (Virtual) 5k

Monday night seemed like as good a time as any to finally fit in my virtual race! With my half looming this weekend and my last long run under my belt, I was in the mood to just get out there and pound some pavement.

My last 5k was rough for multiple reasons and I really wanted to redeem myself. My goal was to run the race under thirty minutes; I wasn't necessarily aiming for a PR because it's been awhile since I've raced a 5k in good condition for it, but I didn't want to give myself the wiggle room to ease up on the pace just because the race was virtual.
There's still time to sign up and run if you're interested! Click here!
I've never run a virtual race, but I was happy to run one that would benefit a cause I truly care about. (On a side note, I chose not to run the 10k because I've discovered I don't really like racing that distance; it may be the hardest for me at this point...mentally it's just pretty daunting.)

Anyway, the weather was nice Monday evening. After a big salad for a pre-race snack - I was starving after work - I headed out to run at 7pm. It was getting gloomy and a few errant drops of rain made an appearance during the run, but it wasn't raining, unfortunately. It was warm, but there was a nice breeze.
This was perfect fuel...I'm trying so hard to eat more like an athlete!
I did a half mile warmup in the park, then went to the bathroom and got ready to race.

Mile 1: I wanted to feel uncomfortable in the first mile, but I had forgotten to set my Nike+ to tell me my pace at every quarter mile...so when the little feedback voice told me my first mile was 8:35, I literally shouted, "OH NO!" I wanted to be uncomfortable, and lately that has meant running in the 9:50s...9:40s if I'm having a good day.

I didn't plan to run any of my miles sub-9!
Look at that sky! I was hoping for real rain the entire time, but no luck!
Mile 2: I reined it in for the second mile, knowing I'd be paying for this crazy start in the third. I always hit a little wall around mile two of a 5k, and this race was no different. I had made the turn-around and was now heading into the wind. This was probably the hardest part of the race. I tucked my head down and gulped air as I ran; I reminded myself over and over that 5ks may be painful, but at least they're short!

Mile 3: Sure enough, my third mile was a pain-fest. I looped through the park once and ended the 3.11 miles perfectly, right back at my car! (That's a benefit of a virtual race!)
The Good: Each mile was sub-10 and I was very happy with my final time! It wasn't a PR, or even my second-best time, but it was definitely a nice reminder to myself that I still know how to race 5ks and that maybe a new PR is in the cards for me this year.

The Not-So-Good: That said, I have clearly forgotten how to manage my pace in shorter races. My splits were crazy.
It was hard to stay motivated and keep moving when I hit a mini-wall at mile two; clearly having crowd support is helpful, but I'd call this virtual race a success!
Post-race "glow" ;o)
Thanks for setting this race up, Kristina! I really enjoyed having an "excuse" to really push myself on what could have ended up being just another weekday run!
 
Have you ever run a virtual race?

ABK

22 comments:

  1. Thanks for the reminder to sign up--I almost forgot!

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    1. I hope you were able to sign up before it closed!

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  2. Great job on your race! In my first XC race this season, my first mile was around 7:20 and my next was around 9:05! 5ks in general can just be hard to pace.

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    1. It's so hard to keep splits even in short races! There's less time to adjust haha.

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  3. Congrats!! When I use my Nike+ watch it's really hard for me to monitor my instantaneous pace because it's not accurate...5K's are so tempting to go fast in the beginning!

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    1. I need to relearn how to monitor my pace without a watch or Nike...I used to be so good at it by feel! lol

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  4. Congrats! I did my virtual 10k yesterday! I've always liked the 10K distance and thought 5K's were kind of intimidating. I think they are super painful and I have trouble pacing myself. That said, my splits for my virtual 10K were terrible. Haha! Good luck on your upcoming Half!

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    1. It's funny because I like the 10k distance as a run, but it seems that racing throws up a mental barrier for me. I guess I need to practice it more!

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  5. Great race, Ali! The picture... so cool! I ran my virtual race this morning. I didn't push myself but I did do a lot of thinking!

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    1. It didn't rain, but the sky DID look cool, huh? I'm glad you had a nice race, too!

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  6. Nice job! Great first mile time! I always go out WAY too fast for short races. Okay, for all of my races. I ran a 4 mile race on Sunday and my first mile clocked in at 6:26. I realized that I was going to die, so I backed way off, but it was good to know I can go that fast if I want.

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    1. Oh geez, 6:26?! I can never imagine! My fastest stand-alone mile is like 7:30 or something!!

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  7. Nice work! You've been racing so much lately so I'm not surprised that you surprised yourself with your time. I think pacing short races is incredibly difficult for those of us who are used to much longer distances.

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    1. Yeah, it was definitely different to push hard for a short time when I've been racing longer distances lately...it really changes how your body and mind work!

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  8. WooHoo!! Great job on that virtual race!!! It is a great cause and Kristina is awesome.
    I have only done a couple of virtual races - I did the 10k in this one.

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    1. Now that I've done one, I think I'll do virtual races more often. It's nice to support a good cause and have an excuse to push the pace.

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  9. Awesome job! You haven't focused on the shorter distances in a while, so you REALLY crushed this 5K! I think a PR is definitely on deck for you this year if you decide to race another 5K.

    Thank you for donating to PAWS and participating!! :)

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    1. I really need to focus on my speed training...I KNOW I can PR a 5k this year if I really work on it!

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  10. Hope you went home and jumped in the pool! Great job!

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    1. As warm as it is outside right now, our pool is still like 50 degrees! Too cold for a dip!

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  11. Congrats! Nice job! I am the same way with 5Ks, I always start out WAY too fast and then feel like I'm two steps away from puking by mile 2.5. 5Ks are not to be underestimated, to race one efficiently takes just as much training and practice as any long distance race!

    I agree with you about 10Ks. I used to think they were my favorite distance. But when I did my last one a couple months ago, even though it went awesomely and I got a PR, I was just like: meh. I have no desire to race them anymore. I'd rather do a long distance or something shorter.

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    1. I think people really do underestimate 5ks. The distance itself isn't much, but to really push it and run it well, it DOES take a lot of work.

      I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels meh about 10ks. They just don't do it for my anymore! Maybe I'll find some love for them again someday. I have one in April so hopefully things go well even though I'm not excited for it lol.

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