My friend Jen, a fellow runner who enjoys much nicer running weather since she lives in Seattle, emailed me yesterday with the following:
I find the times you post for your running really interesting. I do most of my training at about 10 min / mile – no faster than 9 min / mile – and you do yours, even up to 10 mi or so – between 10 and 11 minutes / mile.
When I race a 5K, I typically run between 7 and 8 minutes / mile, yet I know your PRs are closer to 10 minutes per mile. Based on your training, I’d expect you to be able to run a 5K under 9 minutes per mile.
Basically, what I’m saying is I wouldn’t be surprised based on your training if you couldn’t knock a good chunk of time off your 5K PR, especially if you did a little speedwork (a couple fartlek runs or something).
I know that’s not your goal, but still. 😉
She’s got a point. My 5K PR is 29:18, set in either December 2003 or 2004 (I honestly can’t remember and don’t have my log at the moment). I don’t know why I haven’t set a faster PR. First and foremost is probably that I just haven’t tried. My goals have been getting ready for a half marathon, or having fun, or doing a Half Ironman — not setting a new 5K PR. It’s probably mental as well; I’m willing to push myself, but only to a point.
Still, all my recent training has put me in pretty good shape. A month ago, I ran 4 miles at under 10:00/mile average which is more miles at a faster pace that ever before. I’ve been wanting to try for a 5K PR, with help from a pacer (because I’m not very good at pacing myself), but I hesitated to try prior to the Half Ironman. And post-HI, the weather may start heating up enough that a PR will move just out of reach.
I was thinking about all of this last night when I left work to go running before softball. I obviously wasn’t thinking straight when I thought that I’d have enough time between 8 and 9 to run 5 miles. By the time I left work, it was already 8:05. By the time I walked out to the parking lot and got to Gilruth, it was 8:20. And by the time I changed clothes and got the new gate code, it was 8:30. I may be getting faster, but I can’t do 5 miles in 30 minutes.
So I thought maybe I’d do 2.5, and get to softball right on time. And then after the first mile, I thought I’d do 3. And then after 2 miles I thought I’d do a 5K and see if I couldn’t just set my own unofficial PR right then.
So I did.
I ran 3.1 miles in 29:04, for an unofficial 5K PR by 14 seconds. Splits of 9:45, 9:19, 9:08, 0:53. Average heart rate of 183, max of 198.
And then I went right to the softball fields and was late to the game by half an inning. I played catcher and as soon as I walked out there, Russ (the umpire) was forced to ask why I was dripping in sweat on a relatively cool evening.
The weird thing is that I don’t even feel that bad today. My legs are a little stiff, but not horrible.
Makes me wonder if I should try to make it official sometime soon.
though i think you are crazy for all the races you do, i think your attitude is the right one for not getting burned out.
everyone’s body is different. people who run fast easily are usually the people who run. people who run slow and it is not easy (like me), usually don’t run. it is hard for the second group people who do run when all the other runners are usually part of the first group.
so don’t feel peer pressured into giving yourself yet another goal. to be in shape and have fun are the best goals there are.
Christina, goals are fun and rewarding. And running a fast 5K, like Sarah did last night, is a nice side benefit of all the hard training she’s been doing and way easier than her other goal – a half Ironman.
and while Sarah is not Paula Radcliffe, slow is not the first word that springs to mind to describe her. 10 min / mile consistently in training is not slow for a woman runner.
By the way, yesterday during my run, Sarah, it was freezing cold and driving rain! 😉
Well, you probably won’t have the legs a week after the Half Ironman, but if you do, the Resurection 5k is on April 7 in Nassau Bay.
bellaire. trolley. run. maybe you can pace me to a PR AND a sub 30…
That would be too cool to see both Becky and July go sub 30 at Bellaire! Unfortunately, it’s the day before Becky’s 1/2 iron person. So, Friends for Scleroderma, perhaps?
Hey, speedy. I’ve been catching up (a little) on blogs. Glad to hear you’re doing well and running fast.
Ah, but I’ll be taking photos at that race, Steeeve!
June, I can’t do Bellaire Trolley, at least not at race pace, since my 1/2 Ironman is the next day!
I was thinking perhaps the Resurrection Run, but highly doubt I’ll be recovered from 1/2 Iron after only 6 days. 🙂
Maybe Summer Kickoff Run here in League City on May 12…if the weather is cool enough…