I ran my first 5k this past Wednesday on July 4th — yep, this endurance runner put on his speedy shoes and gave it a go. As you can see above, I had the best cheerleader clapping for me. It was the first time she has ever come to see her daddy race. Talk about pressure. It was a big moment for me, and I like to think she enjoyed it as well. She even wore her crab shirt. I tell her to be sneaky and grab things from the side… like a crab. Gotta teach her the important things, ya know.
Okay, now onto the race. Here was my strategy:
- Mile 1: Keep it around a 7:30 pace. This is reasonably quick for me, but not a go-speed-racer-crazy-and-burn-out-early kinda pace
- Mile 2: Faster than mile 1, but not pedal to the medal… yet.
- Mile 3: Broken up into 2 parts. Run the first half pretty darn hard. Run the second half with everything I have left.
- .10 — sprint your ass off!
Final time was 22.45 (7:24, 7:21, 7:08, (.10 mile) 6:17)
I pretty much hit all the goals. I might have been able to shave off 5-10 seconds off the second mile, but I did take a quick sip of water at the half way point. Either way, I’m excited that I was able to run a solid race and all of your pre-race tips really helped. I did a one mile warm up with lots of stretching and some sprints/strides to get the “fast” juices flowing. I placed 47/451 overall and 12/90 in my age group.
And of course, we had a “predict my 5k finish” winner. Here were the closest guesses, Price Is Right rules of course. Congrats Laura.
Thank you to everyone that sent me congrats via twitter and facebook. The support, advice and community really make this running thing amazing.
I think you found your distance! ;) Great work!
And your daughter is adorable! Very sweet pic.
I’m doing my first obstacle course race on Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed I don’t break a nail. Oh wait, I don’t have nails!
You.Kick.Butt!!
You did a fantastic job!!! Congrats!
Half Marathon in the FALL! I will call it my Birthday Run since it’s two days before it! Happy Birthday to Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :)
Awesome race PR! Just FU’in AWESOME!
Um, do you think you could run a little faster on that last mile next time? :-) Great job!! Your daughter is adorable!! So, are you doing to run more 5Ks?
woohoo! nice job and awesome time! you DID have the best cheerleader!
your daughter is adorable! what a great cheerleader! congrats on your race!
Dammmnnnnnnnnn……….speedy!!
Way to go!
And your daughter is too much. What a cutie!
Congrats on the 5K time, but more importantly having your daughter there with you :-)
awesome job!!! someday i’ll run that fast!
I was SO close!!! :)
You were… you had a small window, too. There was a guess one second below you.
Way to go! 22:45 is pretty rockin, especially for a July race. Love that pic of you and your little girl. Young fans are the best :)
First of all your daughter is too cute for words. And second of all, AMAZING time! Way to go! I have time envy over here!
Awesome race- you nailed your goals! And that is the sweetest little cheerleader face. :)
Way to rock that race! And oh my gosh I have to say your daughter is adorable!!
Awesome time! I always blow out the first mile and run out of gas. Your daughter is beautiful!
It was a challenge not to kick it in too early. That was some good advice from others to hold the pace and let go when ready.
Congrats, you are so speedy! But I’m gonna extend an even bigger congrats for having such a beautiful cute daughter. AWWW.
WOW – that’s speedy! Well done! Fun that people guessed so close, too, and love that your little one was present! a 5k – those intimidate me too – well done!
thanks Bonnie. I was glad to have her there.
So happy for you! Congrats! And thank you for breaking down the mileage. It’s always insightful to see how runners manage this. Although I had to read the post twice for comprehension because that photo of your daughter stole the show!
that happens. :)
WOW!! Congrats on crushing it! Speedy, for sure. Looks like you can ace it on short distances, too :) Way to go!
Congrats on such a strong finish! I’m betting it had everything to do with that cute cheerleader.
Ok, your daughter is ADORABLE.
Nice work on the 5km! Very smart pacing strategy but judging by your last mile, you totally could have gone faster, he he. :)
daaaaaang speedster. nice work!!
i see your marathon time dropping like its HOTTTTTT if you keep up the shorter distance work! ;)
Way to rock all your goals on the first go! Congrats! Adorable cheerleader!