The Next Step

Will Power 5k

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Location:

New Palestine,IN,USA

Member Since:

Oct 23, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

5k - 18:59 (3/09)
4M - 25:06 (9/09)
10k - 41:01 (11/07)

Half - 1:25:58 (11/09)

Marathon - 3:06:33 (12/09)

Short-Term Running Goals:

1:25 for the half marathon
Sub 39:00 for the 10k.
3:07 marathon
18:30 5k

Upcoming Races



Long-Term Running Goals:

Break 3:00 for the marathon.

Personal:

Married, two daughters (18 and 15).  Masters runner trying to get competitive in my age group.

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony Ride 5 (Red) Lifetime Miles: 372.70
ASICS Excel 33 Lifetime Miles: 152.00
Saucony Ride 7 Lifetime Miles: 249.00
ASICS DS Trainer Lifetime Miles: 212.20
Asics Cumulus 16 Lifetime Miles: 241.30
Race: Will Power 5k (3.1 Miles) 00:18:59, Place overall: 16, Place in age division: 3
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.000.003.100.008.10

Last night I was checking out the local race calendar for upcoming races and saw a close 5k and decided to do it.  I have not really prepared for a 5k but thought it would be a good test of fitness.  It was a pretty nice morning around 30 with some light wind.  I did a 2 mile warmup and my legs felt kind of flat.  I am not sure if it was from not running the last couple of days but just didn't feel sharp.  Going into the race I thought I might have a chance to break 19 minutes but was sure what to expect since it has been over a year since I ran a 5k.

I got off to a good start and actually had to back off some because I didn't want to burn out.  I settled into what I thought was a good pace and felt pretty good the first mile.  I came through the first mile in 6:03 which was a little faster than planned but no problems.  The second mile went pretty good as well but was starting to feel the energy run out of my legs.  I managed to hold it together pretty good and came through mile two in 6:12.  The third mile I could see another master running about 10 seconds in front of me and I focused on him but he was keeping a strong pace and I never did catch him but it helped me push the last mile.  I managed a 6:15 and then rounded a corner where I could see the finish.  When I looked at the clock I could tell it would be close to 19 minutes so I gave it the best kick I could and just barely got in under 19 at 18:59. 

A guess all in all it was a pretty good pace.  This is a PR by 54 seconds so from that point of view it was a good race but I haven't ran a 5k in over a year and I knew I was in much better shape than last year.  I think with some focused training I can bring this down some more.  It was fun to run a shorter race and now want to try a 10k and see how that goes.

I did a three mile warm down after the race.

Saucony Tangent 3 Miles: 8.10
Comments
From jtshad on Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 20:35:37 from 69.20.133.142

Great job, huge PR in a 5K! Your fitness was passed with flying colors!

From rockness18 on Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 20:55:57 from 75.16.162.226

Holy smokes! Nice pr on a last minute whim. You've progressed quite a bit in the past year. My bet is that you break 3 hours in your next marathon...but for the time being enjoy yourself with the shorter distances...you've earned it!

From Robert on Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 21:40:56 from 65.101.173.205

Awesome! That's a big improvement in 5K terms.

From Burt on Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 22:08:51 from 98.167.151.26

Sub 19! Way to go!

From Jon on Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 22:17:23 from 75.169.138.168

Nice job on the PR. Sounds like you know exactly what shape you're in based on the prediction and results.

From wheakory on Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 01:06:03 from 134.50.223.250

Nice work. Your fitness level is impressive and will continue to get that way. Let this be a confidence builder to excel you even further to want to get faster. Great job today.

From Mark on Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 12:08:59 from 76.76.241.96

Way to go Jim! You could probably get an even faster time if you were specifically prepared for it. But in some ways its even better (at least for me) to PR at a "come as you are" race :)

From JimF on Sun, Mar 22, 2009 at 15:06:06 from 68.46.210.37

Thanks for all the comments! After focusing so much on the longer distances it was fun getting back to a shorter race. Also, you all give me inspiration everyday to stay after it and keep trying to improve.

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