Race Report: Confederation 5K

As I mentioned in my last post I had high hopes for this race. After training right through the winter for a 10 mile I figured a 3.1 miler was in the bag. Or not. I was stressed that the two weeks between the races didn't prepare me well for making (personal) history on the course.

I got the best advice from follower Sandy at Sassy Runner Girl. She advised me to not worry about my time and enjoy the race with my sis. Good advice. Once a read that I was instantly releived. Why do I put so much pressure on myself?? I'm not going to win the race (as much as my children believe I will).

With a new mindset I was ready to tackle the course and let whatever happens, happen. Well, let me tell you it happened alright!

My plan was to start faster than I usually do. I know this goes against everything that everyone in the history of running has ever learned about racing, but I am pokey off the start and I never seem to make up the time. So, since I wasn't taking the race too seriously I thought 'hey, why not try running fast at the start'. I fully realized I could be walking (or limping) by 2K but I gave it a shot.

Coach Kelly had given me a plan to try and it included the first K at around a 5min/km....WTF?!? I've never done anything like that before. I aimed for a 5:20ish start. And at the 1K mark I looked at my watch and saw...
0:00...I forgot to start my timer :( Sad to say this is not the first time this has happened in a race.

So now I had no idea what my first K was at so I just kept up the pace until 2K so I would have something to gauge the rest. At 2K I looked down and saw...
5:10 ..where's the fire??!!

I managed to ease off a bit and even slowed down to take a sip of water. I've never taken water in a 5K and for some reason I felt I needed to mentally slow down. I managed to get to 3K and was still well under 6:00min mark. Slow down Nelly.

When I got to 4K I thought I banked enough time to get a great time and eased off completely...until I rounded the last few hundred meters before the finish line.
I saw the time and kicked it into high gear...I think I even 'whimpered' out loud. I didn't hear myself since my music was so loud, but I'm sure other people heard.

I crossed the finish line at 27:02!! A new PR for me!!!
 The Stats:

Gun Time: 27:02

Avg. Pace: 5:25 (say whaaa??)

Age Group: 10/30 (I did mention to CK that I wanted a top 10 finish)

Gender Place: 59/159

I never knew I had it in me. I struggled at the 30 min mark for almost three years. I'm so excited and now I have a renewed focus for this race season. I plan on setting many more personal records this summer.

I also know I can do better. I can improve my race time by:

1) starting my watch at the start line

2) not slowing for water in a 5K

3) preparing a playlist so I'm not playing with the ipod

4) kicking into high(er) gear off the start

5) working on my mental game 


Sister T had a good race, but learned a lesson in food for fuel.  She ended up too hungry and ran out of gas before the halfway mark. As we talked about, there is a lot to be said for race experience. The more races you do the better you get a 'managing' them.

Me and T...we had the camera on autotimer, hence the 'extra' background

I had a great day, PR aside, as I got to spend some quality (healthy) time with my Sister. We both got to enjoy the food and drinks on Mother's Day completely guilt free!