Now the real reason for this post: I'm officially a 5k survivor...and I can't wait for more! I can proudly sit here and say/type, that yes, I have completed my first ever 5k, nerves and all, and loved every minute of it!
Before the race, I was nervous (see last blog post), but honestly as soon as the gun went off, everything faded and adrenaline took over. Much of the pre-race jitters I had were due to not feeling as if I was cut out for it; my training only took me across some minor hills on country roads, not twist, turns, and major hills that I would experience during this 5k, and also that I haven't done this before. Fear of the unknown is not my friend.
Week 6, Runs 1 and 2 leading up to the 5k actually weren't too bad, which gave me a bit more confidence than I had the night before the race. Run 1 was a bit of a refresher from Week 5, running for 5 minutes, walking for 3 minutes, running for 8 minutes, walking for 3 minutes, then running for 5 minutes, as well as a walking warm up and cool down. I completed Run 1 covering 3.06 miles over 34:56. Run 2 consisted of running for 10 minutes, walking for 3 minutes to recover, the running for another 10, and included a warm up and cool down walk. I completed 2.71 miles for a duration of 33:37, a little slower than Run 1, however it was also hotter. I completely expected that, however I was able to keep a pace of 12:25 min/mi, which I'm perfectly comfortable with.
Run 3 was race day; the Fireworks 5k in Richmond, benefiting the city's fireworks fund for July 4th festivities. I was able to check in early, hang out for a bit, calm (or make worse) my nerves, and take in all happenings. They had several booths set up for the 5k, including those of military branches representing and recruiting, a local fitness center with activities folks could join in on, as well as the gym's cafe making smoothies, homemade granola, and other healthy goodies. I picked up my race packet and chip, headed back to the car to get ready, putting on my number (below) and tie my timing and scoring chip to my shoe. (Side note: As a motorsports junkie, one who's been lucky enough to spend time at tracks with family-friends who race or have raced, I totally felt like a goof at that moment, realizing the chip was, for lack of better terms, my transponder. Seriously, I'm a nerd.)
I was able to meet up with my friend Erin, before the race, who was walking the 5k with several of her friends and coworkers. It was a great comfort knowing someone else at the 5k, along with one of my former coworker's mom, who I ran in to before the start. Erin was a little nervous going into this too, so it helped that we both shared concerns and fears prior to the start of the race, as well as catching up. It definitely helped ease the fears I had, so thank you Erin!
My initial plan was to run the race as best I could, as far as I could, while listening to my body and judging if or when I needed to walk, since I'm technically not finished with the Couch to 5k program. The last thing I wanted to do was injure myself. Or die. ;)
The plan was to run just as I would for Run 3 of Week 6: warm up-walk for 5 minutes, run for 25 minutes, and cool down-walk for 5 minutes, trying to pace myself. At the start, I did walk the first 5 minutes warming up, and I believe that was a plan that worked for the best. Results from the race showed that there were over 550 runners and walkers, and things bunched up pretty quickly at the start. The 5 minute walk was brisk of course, but it allowed me to clear my own space and for several people in our general area to spread out, allowing me to do my own thing. At the end of my 5-minute warm up walk, I yelled over to Erin I'd see her at the finish line, and I was off!
(At the start of my run, and I'm not sure who all was involved as regretfully I didn't look back, I had a group of ladies shout for me, giving me encouragement, yelling "Go Ashley!" Whoever it was, thank you! That really gave me a HUGE boost of confidence, and meant a lot to me!)
The start of my run took me down a hill, a turn to the right, and on to North Dr., the main road along the back part of the park, down to the intersection of Elks Rd. This part of North Dr., after the hill, was primarily flat. Once I got to Elks Rd., they had us turn around and head back, but taking the split to the right at the hill I ran down previously. I hit Mile Marker 1 on North Dr., shortly before the split, at 12:55. At this point, I had started to settle into a bit of a pace, just kind of cruising and taking in the scenery. (The park where the 5k is held is absolutely beautiful (and shaded!), and I wasn't about to not breathe in the outdoors!)
As we rounded the back part of the park, and after the "valley" of North Dr., about half-way between Mile 1 and Mile 2 was Buffalo Hill. Now let me preface this by saying that Buffalo Hill was all I heard about during the pre-race festivities; "Beware Buffalo Hill," among other choice phrases and curses. It was intimidating, as many had said that as you're cruising up the hill, you don't really feel it until you almost hit the top, then you die. I can honestly that's exactly how I felt, and it wasn't really joyful. I didn't once stop to walk the hill, and I think that also gave me a bit of a boost afterwards, but half-way up, I certainly started to feel it. Luckily after Buffalo Hill, we saw both a small downward slope, Mile Marker 2, and a water station. Well played. (My body and thirst thanks you for that, race officials.) Mile 2, I ran in 11:59, but unfortunately at this point I started to feel some ankle pain in both ankles. I'm still not sure from what, or if maybe I was just stomping too hard from excitement?
At the 2 1/2 mile-ish point, we wound our way out onto US Highway 40 along the sidewalk. If at anytime I could've felt self-conscious, now was it. Since we weren't running ON US 40, it wasn't closed down for the race, and naturally people driving by into Richmond started gawking. Slightly awkward, but I wasn't on the highway for long, as we turned back to the left and into the main entrance of the park, along the waterfall-lined drive, towards the band shell and Glen Miller Park Lake (complete with geese staring at us... Insert my, "Stop looking at me, swan," movie quote here. I hope you got that.)
After rounding the pond, approaching the 3.1 mile start/finish line, you wind back to the right, and up a hill. UP. Convenient, right? Especially when I should be running out of gas, so-to-speak. I'm honestly still not sure where this burst of energy came from, whether it be adrenaline, excitement, relief I'm ALMOST done, or what, but I started hauling the mail in a dead sprint towards the finish line.
My goal was to complete the 5k sub-40, and I honestly was a little bummed crossing the line at 40:02 (more on that in a sec), but I was so completely relieved, because I just ran 2.75-ish miles. Solid. Complete.
Without.
Freaking.
Stopping.
(No EMTs were needed, or collapsing and requiring CPR.)
I'm pretty much still on Cloud 9 at this point. The only issues I have today is a slight left hip pain and sore left back muscle, however I feel really good! I didn't get a chance to stretch after the race, so it may be from that, but I plan to stretch really good tonight, and keep working the stiffness out of my hip. My left ankle was also a little sore this morning, however as the day progressed, I haven't had any issues and the soreness is gone. We will definitely see how I feel during tomorrow's run.
All in all, I'm thrilled that I took the opportunity to run the Fireworks 5k, and I really can't wait until the next one! The terrain was a little rough, something I wasn't used to, as again, what I've trained on isn't anything but flat, however for what the race consisted of, I'm ecstatic! So much so, I'm giving serious thought to running a 5k Thursday, July 4, nearby, however I'm starting to lean towards sitting it out, especially with my hip and ankle soreness. That call will probably come that morning.
Now, back to my finishing time. As an airhead (I have my moments...), you know how the time clock starts when the race begins? Yes, I crossed at 40:02, and yes the image from Runtastic below says 40:22, (I forgot to stop my timing after the race, more concerned with getting the chip off of my shoe and turned in) but your time doesn't start until you cross the mat, hence the scoring chip (or transponder, teehee).
My official race time? 39:10.
I did finish sub-40 :)
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