Tuesday evening I ran my first 5k race. It was of great help that it finished right outside my front door. The weather was pretty good and the race started at 8pm. It was the star of the sea's first event, and there were over 300 entries. There were alot of entries from club runners, and at the start line I felt just a little inadequate. However, there was a great atmosphere, and with every race I have been to anywhere, everyone was smiling and friendly, with some friendly ribbing between the friend who knew each other.
I had run some 8k distances over the previous days at an easy pace, and my legs felt very stiff at the groin and I struggled to get any kind of quick pace, so I was hoping I would come in around the 20 minute mark, and any second below 20 mins would be a bonus. I knew the form of a few local runners, so I figured if I tucked in behind them at the start it would give me a good pace.
We started off and I was looking for about a 4min kilometre pace. Whatever pace I was at with my target runners, it felt comfortable, and it seemed we were quite ahead of the main bunch. The course wasn't exactly flat, but I knew it well so I was able to prepare myself for the hills. At 3k, one of my targets started to fade and I found myself running alongside him. Should I stay with him which felt like an easy pace or go ahead. Go ahead I did passing about four other runners over the next kilometre. My lungs were starting to hurt going up the final straight and I was making the faces of a man with his privates in a vice, but the wife and kids at the finish line cheering me on gave me a lift to the line in 19.05 and 33rd out of a field of 357. I was really pleased with the time, and I think I may be able to improve on it with practise.
I didn't run Wednesday as I was back to work, started at 5.30 am and didn't land until 4pm so that kind of a day pretty much wipes you out. 13.5 miles Thursday at 7.25 pace, rest Friday and 13.5 miles Saturday at 7.15 pace. We are heading to disneyland paris on Tuesday, and I am wondering is it wrong of me to say I am not looking forward to it as it will interfere with my running? I am aiming for a mountain half marathon next Saturday. I am not looking for a good time, but i Believe the race course is over some truly stunning views so I intend to relax and enjoy this one.
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