Goal of sub 20 5k (Read 13664 times)

 MoBram, very good run in these very tough conditions (including the bug!).

 

Didn't post report because (1) it wasn't a 5K and (2) I wrote a book.  I finished in 50:22.  Very happy with time with heat index in the 80s and inexperience at this distance.  I learned more about running, racing, and myself in less than an hour than I've learned in almost a year of running.  Also finished one place higher in AG than last race.  Here is a link to the race report if anyone is interested:

 

http://www.runningahead.com/logs/bb6c497b284b43409db3c4ace52839f3/workouts/93704f4a224a48dfb7685a5ad300fc9c

 

MrPhinNJ, some of those fifties are creeping into the mid-fifties. Pretty soon, those fifties are gonna be sixties. And, those 15 second PR's don't look like they are going to stop any time soon. Your experiment is working. mta: sp

MrPhinNJ, some of those fifties are kreeping into the mid-fifties. Pretty soon, those fifties are gonna be sixties. And, those 15 second PR's don't look like they are going to stop any time soon. Your experiment is working.

       +1

       I was real anxious to hear how you did.  Nice chunk off the PR, and improvement in all three spilts.  Great       

       job; you're for sure getting fitter and faster.  I think we all sometimes want to get it all at once, but a large         

       number of us on here are at least 35 and some in our 40s and 50s.  We're not high schoolers anymore, so we

       have to have dedication and patience to let all the work we put in pay off.  Those 50+ you're posting week after

       week after week are really something to take pride in.   

Thanks guys.  My focus right now is on marathon training but I must say that I am enjoying participating in this thread.

And this ....

I think we all sometimes want to get it all at once, but a large number of us on here are at least 35 and some in our 40s and 50s. We're not high schoolers anymore, so we have to have dedication and patience to let all the work we put in pay off.

This has been the key to my progress more than anything else.  I set the goal of running the marathon this fall last spring, and started training for it then.  Consistently getting ~40 every week for close to a year before going up into the 50's has really worked for me.  I ran the highest mileage for a week ever last week and feel fine.  Fine enough to PR last night.

Consistent mileage over time.  And patience.  I'm sold.

 I think of the 5K as a short-distance endurance race.  How long can you endure full throttle?  With each success, the answer is longer than last time. 

BadDawg, that is what I'm learning with each race this summer.  I know it's going to hurt, but each time I find that I can tolerate the pain for slightly longer. 

70 days since my last 5K and I'm chompin' at the bit to get at it again tomorrow.  This is usually one of the biggest races in our area (appx 300 runners), and the one that hooked me on running.  Its my one year racing anniversary.

Storms not due until later in the day and it looks like it won't be too bad; about 70 with high humidity.  My goals are:

(1) PR - that BETTER happen, (2) A top 30 finish - lots of area CC kids and some collegiate runners will show and smoke us old folks, and (3) AG award.  Not really concerning myself about how I'm going to run sub-20, just getting mentally prepared to run a fast race and come in ahead of certain people in my AG.  Will be carrying a few extra ounces...packing the kid's Albuterol inhaler in my short's pocket.  After last Sunday, don't want to have to think about "what if that happens again?"

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend.  MrPHinNJ got the gang off to a good start this week.  Want to keep the momentum going.

Just a suggestion here MichiganFlyer:  Before the 26th, better this weekend or next, find the biggest 5K available in central Michigan, dress up in your rattiest running clothes, leave your watch at home, go sign up on race day, soak in the racing atmosphere, and then let it rip.  Have a little fun!!