Joined
·
3,088 Posts
Today was my season opener, the Sgt Pat 5K in Long Branch, NJ. I went with no hope for any great time, because I haven't done much speedwork lately... and it was very cold.<br>
Actually, there were a few flurries at start, which could make it my first race in the snow. Of course I got there late, ran to registration, ran to restroom, ran to start line, and ran the race, no breaks. Although I wasn't pushing real hard, my first splits were very good, 7:22 first mile, then 11:30 at the turn around (it was an out and back). Since my PR was 23:21, I realized that if I run back at the same pace, I could end up with a great time. But after the turn around I found out why I was going so fast: I had a nice tailwind.<br>
Heading back was hard against the cold wind... Should've known that, I usually ride in this area and it's always very winy. But I kept pushing, had a 7:18 second mile, and then I couldn't keep up any more, 3rd mile was 7:38. But I sprinted to the finish as hard as I could and I finished in 23:15, which is a 6s PR!!!<br>
I'm very happy now, and I think it's all about the shoes... my first race with the Newtons. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> Last 5K was almost one year ago, so maybe it's just a result of all the hard training ever since. I think that with some more speedwork, I could go under 23 minutes this year.
Actually, there were a few flurries at start, which could make it my first race in the snow. Of course I got there late, ran to registration, ran to restroom, ran to start line, and ran the race, no breaks. Although I wasn't pushing real hard, my first splits were very good, 7:22 first mile, then 11:30 at the turn around (it was an out and back). Since my PR was 23:21, I realized that if I run back at the same pace, I could end up with a great time. But after the turn around I found out why I was going so fast: I had a nice tailwind.<br>
Heading back was hard against the cold wind... Should've known that, I usually ride in this area and it's always very winy. But I kept pushing, had a 7:18 second mile, and then I couldn't keep up any more, 3rd mile was 7:38. But I sprinted to the finish as hard as I could and I finished in 23:15, which is a 6s PR!!!<br>
I'm very happy now, and I think it's all about the shoes... my first race with the Newtons. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> Last 5K was almost one year ago, so maybe it's just a result of all the hard training ever since. I think that with some more speedwork, I could go under 23 minutes this year.
