These Legs Ran Fast - 5k Race Report

Park Ridge Charity Classic 5k

Time: 20:12

Overall Place: 98/476

Female: 20/198

Age Group: 7/23

 When I got convinced to run the Park Ridge Charity Classic 5k at my speed workout on Tuesday, I didn't know how well I'd do.  I know that I am in the best shape of my life right now, and even though people were guessing my race time at running club on Thursday, I wasn't sure what I was capable of achieving.  I had a few goals in mind, most notably number 3. 

As I posted, here, my goals were:

1. Have fun!
2. PR
3. Run 20:59 or faster
4. Properly warm-up and cool down
5. Do not have a low blood sugar

What actually happened:

1. Yes, the race was great.  I had a lot of fun.
2. Yes, I PR'd by a minute.
3. I ran 20:12, so that was accomplished.
4. I did a mile and a half warm-up, but didn't cool down, unless shivering counts.
5. No lows were had today.

As I was making the 45-minute commute at 6:15 this morning, I decided that I was going to treat this more of a track workout as opposed to a race.  I tend to over analyze things when it comes to racing, so not thinking much about it was good.  I knew that I needed to run around 6:50/mile pace to achieve a sub-21 5k time...but that is all the thought that went into this race.  Honestly, I think that might be the reason why I ran so well.

For the first time, I ran based on how I felt.  I knew the course was fast based on what other people had told me, and many elites come for the race.  When I pulled up, I could tell they were right.  The majority of people had matching race singlets to accompany their shorts and shoes.  The Fast Track racing team was there, all decked out in their neon orange attire and were hard to miss.  Then, there were people like me.  Shorts and a t-shirt...just there to run. 

My first mile felt great - 6:26 pace.  The second was going well, too, and had a cone turn-around.  I clocked a 6:34 according to my Garmin for that mile.  At that point, I was trying to decide if I could achieve a sub-20.  I ran as fast as my legs could go, and mile 3 was another 6:26.  I tried as hard as I could, and ended up crossing the line in 20:12, which is a PR by exactly one minute. 

I am happy with my time, although it makes me want to sign up for another 5k to see if I can break 20 minutes.  Maybe after the marathon I'll run another.  But, right now, my focus is the marathon.  It is hard to believe that in 14 days it'll be here.  Where has the time gone?

Does running well in a race tempt you to sign up for more to see how well you can do?