Take a Step for Kids 5K Race Report… no more racing!!!
This morning I decided to run a local race – the Take a Step for Kids 5K (also a 10K). I thought I could try for a PR since I had been trying to have more fun with running lately. I thought maybe if I went in without all the anxiety I could do it.
Nope. Ha ha. 24:25. My 5K times this year have gotten progressively slower – 24:00, 24:03, 24:25?!
It is time for a break from racing*.
I am not in the right mental or physical shape to do it!
I know if I lost about 10-15 pounds running faster would be a lot easier. But I don’t really want to stress myself out about losing weight right now. So it if happens it happens.
I’ll just keep running for fun.
Because I am having fun. Even today. I ran the first 1.5 miles with my running club friend Yvonne. I felt great when I was with her but then mentally fell apart when we split and decided I didn’t care enough to push it.
But I got to see Yvonne and Bobbi both come in at the finish with 10K PRs! And Yvonne and I both placed in our age groups (first for her, second for me – first place in my age group (20-29) was 9 seconds in front of me!).
*Not to be confused with running races, ha ha.
Themocracy
Awesome job placing!
I would LOVE to run a race with you someday. Let’s try to?
Yes! That sounds awesome!!!!!!!!!
You do need a break from racing, coaches orders! It really wears you down, especially mentally. Physically you are more then capable of low 20’s in the 5k, I know it. You’ve spent so many months pressing hard and focusing on one goal, don’t be down on yourself because that is truly hard hard work. Hell I’ve been chasing down a marathon PR for 8 years! I know these things eventually come, just not always on our timing.
Keep your head up and don’t let your heart waiver. You will get this goal, but first you need to treat yourself to some well deserved rest!
Thanks Britt, for your awesome comment 🙂 Especially letting me know that you can relate. I think it is time for some mental rest and for me to just keep running for fun!
First off – you are amazing. And I was so so so happy that you came out. And it RULED (seriously) to have you screaming and taking pictures at the finish line – I totally think I pushed harder than I would have if you hadn’t come out.
Second – what Britt said.
No matter what, it’s so nice to see you having so much fun with running lately. And I’m way excited about tomorrow 🙂
I loved seeing you guys at the finish! That was awesome! That was probably the best part of the run 🙂
Still a great job, congrats…not every race needs to be a PR! Glad you clarified with the *, I was thinking as I was reading that you can still run races…for fun!
I know how frustrating it can be when you’re getting slower instead of faster, but I am still so impressed! I’ve never placed in a race, and your “slow” time would still blow my PR out of the water!
I know every runner is different, and it’s not good to compare, but I think you’re awesome and I’m totally jealous! Great job!
Thank you 🙂 And I definitely do not mean to imply that that time is slow, overall. Just that I know I can run faster but I can’t get there. Oh well 🙂
You are doing awesome though! It may not be your fastest yet but you are still placing in your AG!! That’s great!
That’s still an awesome time, girl! Congrats!
Probably a good idea to take a break from racing. You still had a great pace and even though your 5k times have gotten a bit slower, they are still so close. At least you are consistent. 🙂
BTW I would be thrilled with your time, but I know the feeling. The last 2 years I feel like I’ve totally stagnated, if not gotten slower, despite training harder.
Great job regardless! You put it out there on the line. Time for some more fun running and maybe some non-time-based race goals… mmm – maybe a night race? Glow Chicago 6K?
I am thinking about doing the Chase Corporate Challenge! Someone was telling me about the Glow race. They did it in TX (am I thinking of the right thing?). I thought it sounded fun!
Congrats on the age group placing! My husband actually got first in his age group in a 5K that he ran today – but he was the only one in the age group! We both laughed about that. Oh, and his time was about 4 minutes slower than yours. I’d say you are doing great, and, more importantly, you know what you value most – the experience and sharing that with other people.
I think this post is the perfectionist in you coming out! Don’t forget to enjoy the moment and have fun!!! 🙂 Which I think you are already trying! Sometimes when I take the pressure off myself things fall into place. So don’t stress yourself! Just keep working hard and moving forward and you will reach your goals!!!
Having fun is important too! Love that top you’re wearing – can’t wait til it gets warmer here so I can wear mine. Hoping it will be warm enough for the May 6 Ladies Run here where Kim Clijsters is also going to be running – wouldn’t that be cool?
Yes, what Britt and Bobbi said. I’m living this as well: you summed it up when you said “I decided I didn’t care enough to push it” It’s so hard to get off the numbers sometimes, even when we ‘don’t care’. The speed will return. All in good time.
Congrats on the AG place all the same! 🙂
But you had fun, right? And that’s what matters for us in the end. We’re not elites and we’re not getting paid. Although medals are pretty sweet 🙂
I think we all remember that you are supposed to be taking a break from racing, right? 😉 So maybe this race just reaffirmed that a break if what’s best for you right now. Britt’s comment sounded very wise and caring.
Don’t give up! Everyone has a crappy run or race every now and then. That’s still a killer time!
I know you have that speedy 5k in you just waiting to come out. Take a break and then come back to it. Most of my 5k PRs have been in the fall – maybe its the cooler weather. So hopefully after a strong summer of fun and training you will rock a PR this fall!
I think it’s important to listen to your head/heart. If you’re not enjoying racing, why spend the time/money on it? Just focus on what you enjoy. It’s supposed to be fun!