I was following Fast Fall and had planned to do the first 8 weeks before transitioning to Fast Half training. I did decide to stop Fast Fall and just focus on runs without speed work and structure, because of a few factors. The first and foremost, after I ran a 5k race and then did my 6 mile long run the next day, my knee was a bit more troublesome than it’s been. So I took a nice easy week following. I also have a trip coming up that I don’t want to feel like I have to train through it. Also, I was mainly doing Fast Fall to try to get my 5k time down in time for my race that will be this weekend. After I saw my efforts at last weekend’s race, I knew that it would benefit me more to take it easy, since my main priority is healing my knee so I can take on half marathon training that will kickstart in June.
On May 4th, I had a local 5k of which I had ran the same course back in 2019, but just a different race. I was hoping to just get as close to that time as I possibly could. I know that I was also injured and sick back in 2019, so I thought it was for sure possible.
I started the race going out at what I felt was conservative and comfortable. The start of races always sucks because people all around you are going out like cheetahs and you have to try to gauge if you stick with them or let them go. My mindset was to let them go. I trailed the 1st place female runner and as the race went on, she got further and further spaced out. This was a race that had a gradual incline up and then you turned around and went right back down. I thought maybe I could catch her on the down.
Nope, I didn’t have it in me. By that point she was long gone and I actually got passed by another female runner, who ended up being in my age group and took first. They only gave out 1st place in AG awards because it was such a small race. So I went home without a medal. I had a good time though and it was for a great cause. My goal was to test out my racing shoes, remind myself what a 5k felt like and just have fun. All of those things were achieved.
My 2019 time was 26:26 and this year I ran 26:23. This year my watch had it at 3.2, which I hope it actually was, so that my pace was quicker. I think the atmosphere at my race this weekend will also help me run a little faster too. We will see. I would love to see sub 25 with my current state.
My final splits were:
- mile 1: 8:17
- mile 2: 8:39
- mile 3: 7:55
- 0.02: 7:33
Otherwise, been keeping my long runs around 6 miles for now and will increase and follow my half marathon plan in June!
