I got out this morning for my first 5k in three years and set a PR at 19:15.
I thought for sure I was going to be one of those guys that drops dead from a heart attack just before the finish line. Holy cow was that tough and unpleasant! With ultras, there's a long delay before the anguish & pain flare up. Today, that all began about thirty seconds in. It probably didn't help that I ran my fastest mile ever (5:54) to kick off the suffering. Mile two was uphill and into the wind. Mile three is a complete blur as I was looking to make sure the paramedics were available when I went down.
Okay, it was just a little fun. But if it takes me another three years to race a 5k, I won't be sad. To those that go out and rock these short & fast races regularly, my hat is tipped to you.
Way to go!
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, racing hurts (at least me). If I ever find a way to do short-race workouts that I like and can enjoy doing for their own sake, I might be tempted to improve, but I've just never enjoyed it.
I almost joined you down there, but didn't think I had enough time to register and went to the Denver race instead, which is 1/2 the drive and has a later start. Fun day.
Have a great weekend.
Hey - a PR. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteGiven your relentless pacing last Saturday, I would have expected nothing less than a PR! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteMtnrunner2 - I hear ya. Speedwork is for the birds! Ha! I always try to tell myself I'll be happy when it's over, but that doesn't work so well during the pain. Glad you had fun in Denver!
ReplyDeleteThanks GZ & Jim! I got back on the trails for a long run this morning and was definitely in my happy place.
hahaha! Congrats on the PR. And now I feel the moral obligation to let you in on the secret that speed work training doesn't have to hurt. Just do it at the level that feels good instead and it can actually be quite enjoyable in addition to beneficial. And then short races aren't nearly so painful if you train at race pace occassionally. Also I think you'd be pleasantly surprised at how speed training regularly would markedly improve your ultra race times as well.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree Aaron. I expected exactly what I got because I went into it with zero speed training. I'm sure if I had worked some intervals for a few weeks, I would have had a much better experience. It's funny b/c I went out the next day for a easy 10 mile trail run and ran it almost at a tempo pace, so I can't argue your point about improving ultra times. Now I just need to do it regularly!
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