This is it.
The longest run I have scheduled before the 5K.
In fact, the longest run I have done since I started training.
Thirty. Five. Minutes. Straight (a total workout of 45 minutes when you add in the warm up and cool down).
To be honest, I was really thinking about skipping today. I did level 2 of the Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown yesterday morning and a 7.5 mile power walk last night and I was feeling sore, especially in my lower back and hips. Even more alarming, when I went downstairs to let the pugs out, I felt this bizarre popping in my Achilles. No pain, no sound, just the sensation of a pop. Fortunately, it disappeared as quickly as it had come, and I talked myself into lacing up.
After all, Monday is Race Day. Now is not the time for weakness.
By 8:20 AM, the heat and humidity were already pretty oppressive. It was like breathing through a wet sheet. I confess that I had to stop twice during the time period. I want to say it was because of uncooperative shoelaces but the truth is that I needed to get some big gulps of air and I was afraid I might do something unpleasant on the side of the road. I’m a little disappointed in myself for that, but one needs air to run, and so I’m chalking it up to learning how to run in the Florida summer. It’s only going to serve me well when it comes to the Tower of Terror 10 Miler, which I heard can be exceptionally humid, even at 10PM.
I was dripping wet, and I tried to stick to sidewalks that were more shaded to avoid the beating sun, but despite all that, it was a good run. There were points along the way where I got down on myself, but nothing was hurting and short of the breathing difficulty, I was fine. I definitely started out slower than I would have liked, but once I worked out my kinks, I did ok.
I kept my 5-10K app and my RunKeeper app going at the same time so I could compare results. For the overall 45 minutes, 5-10K reported the following:
And RunKeeper gave some similar numbers (the “current” 14:53 pace was because I was in cool down mode, and Mile 1 and Mile 4 were slower because they included walking time).
So. I think I’m ok. I think if I set my goal time as 40 minutes at the max, I’ll be in good shape, no matter how hot or humid, and no matter how nervous I get.
I am going to start Week 3 of this circuit on Friday, as planned, and then I’m not sure how I’m going to handle Saturday and Sunday. Should I rest from running those two days so I am fresh for Monday morning? Should I do one more session of Week 3 (which would be the speed work portion?) on one of those days? Or should I just try to get in a nighttime walk or two and call it a day?
What pre-race schedule works best for you?
I don’t run for the few days leading up to a race. If I’m feeling antsy, I’ll do a walk the night before, but that’s it. I like having “fresh” legs on a race morning.
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I’m so scared I’m going to be stiff. I’m scared of all the what ifs. I guess I’m just going to play it by ear and see how I’m feeling from day to day. Eek.
Hi
i love reading your blog, I’ve just recently started training to run 5k. Currently I can run for about ten minutes before I have to stop. Think its my wall. Hoping to reach 10k some day !
Thank you for reading! If you asked me in March if I thought I would be where I am at right now? I would have laughed. Everyone starts somewhere and 10 minutes is a great place to be. Just keep going and you’ll make it to your 10K goals!
Congratulations on finishing though! Sometimes runs can be tough! You’re doing the TOT 10-miler?! SO AM I! That’s awesome 😀 I don’t know anyone else running it!! Do you live in FL? I do…so I’m lucky to get used to the humidity (hopefully) before the TOT 10-miler. The Princess Half was pretty humid and I was incredibly happy that I trained in that weather.
I would take off the two days before the race, but if you feel like you’d be okay and not tight, then run! It’s up to you and your body.
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I am doing the TOT! I signed up for that before I registered for my 5K! A bunch of my friends are running it, as well as some other people that I know on Twitter/in the blogosphere. Yes, we are in Florida, and I’m choosing to look at it as a positive opportunity rather than a hurdle. After all, it’s good preparation, right?
I think maybe I’ll walk on Saturday or Sunday unless my body tells me something different. At the moment, I’m a little sore, so I could probably use a bit of downtime before the big day.
Way to get out there despite the heat! I felt the exact same way this afternoon.
NO shame in stopping during your run, I’ve found that if I pause for a few seconds it helps me to continue on strong.
I have a race coming up on Saturday and I really focus on hydration (esp. with this warm weather) I drink water like it’s going out of style! I also am very cognizant about what I’m eating (fuel your body!), get plenty of rest (perfect excuse for a cat nap : ) ), and keep do light exercise the days before.
I won’t run anymore this week but will go to yoga tomorrow and Friday.
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Catnap? Yes, please!
I have such a hard time with water. I’m going to do my best, but if I drink even a drop too much, I have to keep running to the bathroom. Frustrating!
Good luck on Saturday and thank you for sharing your routine!
If it is a 5K or 10K you are probably okay running 2 days out if you are just running a normal race, but I would take the day before off of just go for a slow walk. If you are running to win an age group award (which I am never doing. leave that to the fast people) then 2 days of rest is better.
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LOL! The only thing I am looking to win is “not last by an hour!” It’s just a normal race. I’m lacing up right now for a quick run and then I will walk on Sunday unless I’m super edgy and tight, and then I might just do a mile or so to get my nerves together.