Saturday I ran my first 5k that was at my pace and in an actual race setting. I’ve run this distance many times previously, obviously, but this was the first time in a race. I had little to no hope for finishing with a decent time since I’ve been taking a completely no pressure on running approach for the last few weeks and ran zero miles the 5 weeks before that! My only hope was to finish faster than 35 minutes which was the time it took Sister and me to complete one a few years back when she had just started running and was completely overdressed so I knew we could have even gone faster that day given better clothes.
Well, I guess you can say I did a little better this time around… I ended up finishing in 26:17! Say, what!!? I really don’t know how I managed to run this fast but let’s back up a little and I will give a little recap of the race.
This race was started by the parents of a young girl who was killed in a car accident in 2008. She had loved running and was a part of her school’s cross-country team so her parents decided to start this race to help raise scholarship money to be awarded in her memory. It was held at Kiel High School in a little town a few minutes away from my parent’s house and was only $20 to register so I didn’t really except any fancy anything for the race but they ended up having an actual chip timed event because a timing company donated their time and equipment – how cool is that?
The race was scheduled to start at 8 am and to be honest, when I signed up I was sure it was going to be blazing hot by that time on a mid-August morning but in reality, it was chilly! Probably about 60ish when we got to the school! So weather was not a factor at all this morning! I did run for a couple of minutes to warm up a little while we were waiting for the race to start because it was so chilly feeling though! My mom and dad also came along to walk the 5k and set a new PR for them – 48mins! Whoop!
Before we got started running, the dad and organizer of the race said a few words about his daughter and the race. He also introduced everyone to his new grandbaby… a little girl named Sarah. She was about 7 months old and walked the race in her stroller. How cool was that! Then we said a group prayer as her father is also a pastor and then…
At 8:00am, we were off! I tried to be sort of near the front but not so near I got ran over! I also had decided going in that I would just run as fast as I could without causing pain anywhere and really not be concerned at all with being evenly “paced.” I knew that would result in me being too fast or too slow the whole race so instead I just did whatever!
The first mile went by REALLY fast and I was shocked to pass the time caller and hear… 7:44! WHAT?! I am pretty sure that is the fastest mile I have ever run, even when doing speed work miles! I guessed I would slow down considerably at some point but figured I didn’t hurt yet so I wasn’t going too fast and hurting myself or anything at that point?!
After the 1 mile marker, you ran a little ways further and then did a turn around and headed towards the Cross Country track. Mile 1-2 was still run on pavement and imagine my surprise when I went past mile 2 marker and head… 15:30! Another 7:45ish mile!
Right after mile 2, we transitioned to the Cross Country track and that’s when I slowed down almost immediately. I am not used to running on the grass and was afraid of slipping because it was wet and I was getting tired. I’m really glad the first 2 miles where on pavement though and I just pushed it while I could because grass made me really slow down at that point and I ended up finishing in 26:17 for a 8:28 average pace. I am stupid and can’t quite figure that math out for what the last 1.1 mile was paced at but… I think about 9:15 pace for mile 2-3.1? I really don’t know!
Little Sarah finishing with Grandpa!
I really was shocked to see that time when I came across the finish line! I guess sometimes it pays to not hold yourself back on every run! I know I can’t run fast every time I run but when the weather cooperates and I am feeling good, might as well give it a shot!
I sat around and stretched for a few minutes while I waited for the parents to cross the finish line and then we took a few finish photos and headed back home. I actually ended up finishing 6/18 in my age group which further surprised me! And 67/141 (not including all the walkers as they were not chip timed) so a wee bit higher than “normal” for me anyways. I had so much fun running this race and would really like to come back next year and try to see what I could do with training for it! I’m feeling compelled to just do a bunch of shorter races next year in lieu of long races to work on my speed so I will definitely keep this in mind!
All in all, it was a really fun morning. I was a little sore the days after though! All that fast running and being on grass gave my legs a little workout – 
I’ll be back tomorrow with more race related recaps but this time not me running them!
Congratulations on your new PR! That’s BLAZING, and I’m totally jealous! And congratulations to your parents, too! I think it’s so awesome that you all did the race “together”.
It’s also great that this family has turned a really sad situation into something great that benefits so many people through something their daughter loved.
Yes, I’m pretty sure I forced them to do it and “train” for it… my fitstreak theory did not rub off on them
And I know, I thought the same thing. They really are finding a way to do so much good with this race and I am sure other events as well!
Way to go! That’s an excellent finish time! Don’t you just love it when you have an awesome race like that? It kinda makes me want to sign up for a 5k soon.*
I know! I love the surprise fast-ish races
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Great job! What a wonderful event for a great cause and how cool that a company donated the chip timers! Your time was fantastic as well! I have my second 5k in two and a half weeks and I’ve been laid up for eight days – grrr!
Thanks! Good luck on your 5k (provided you recover and get to run it!). I really do hate the “will I/won’t I recover from this injury in time” dilemma! Good luck!
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