Week 5 Half Marathon Training Recap + A 5K!

Last week was a good training week - I ended up running 6 of the 7 days!  Things were a little off plan as I had signed up to do a 5K in my husband's hometown to support a fundraiser that friends of his were trying to develop.  It was the second year of the race, and they still are working some things out. Because of that, I did not get ANY warm up in.  (I know - bad.) The course was not chip-timed (in fact, it was timed by someone's cell phone) but still provided an opportunity to race on a new course, which I really enjoyed.  It also was fun to have so many people cheering for me (all of my husband's family).

My goal for the race was to try to run the 3rd mile faster than the previous two.  My first mile passed in 6:12 which felt comfortable, but then they always do!  Mile two was over in 6:22.  My third mile was 6:09!!!!!!  Success!  I ended up running the entire race by myself.  I was in 2nd overall and the man in front of me ended up taking a wrong turn right after mile 1 so I won the whole race.  My Garmin time was 19:19.  I was super happy with this not only for meeting my goal, but also because I feel if I had really pushed it, I MIGHT have been close to breaking 19 again!  Woo-hoo for returned fitness!

My kids each were able to participate in the kids race, even my 2 year old.  Holy cow that was the cutest thing I have seen in a long time - he was so determined and ran the WHOLE way (maybe 1 city block.)  My daughter ended up winning her age group (5-7 year olds)!

Due to the race being Saturday morning, I did not get my long run in that morning per my training plan.  SO, that left Sunday morning.  I woke up at 6 and got dressed.

I went out the door and it was drizzling rain.  UGH.

I went back in the house to check the forecast.  According to my iPhone weather app, it was supposed to rain at 7 briefly.

I went back out.  "Maybe I should do this later in the day."

Went back in the house.

Consulted weather app again and realized that the sun sets at 6:30.  WHAT?!  Ok.  I had to do this right now or it was not going to get done.  Grabbed my Boston 2016 jacket for rain protection and my knuckle lights and headed out.  Third time's a charm.

My plan was to run laps around my neighborhood and the adjoining neighborhood (which is what I always do when it is dark outside) until the sun came up.  First mile was 8:08.  I was TIRED.  Second mile was 7:49.  Mid third mile, I paused my watch and just let out a breath.  This sucked.  I was tired, my legs were not feeling it and it was raining.

Just.Keep.Going.

One non-time related goal I have for this training cycle is to push through these moments when I can think of pretty good excuses to stop.  This was one such instance.  The sun was up.  I took off my knuckle lights and my extra long sleeve, dropped them off at my house on my run past and exited the neighborhood.

I struggled within each mile but it gave me a chance to practice working my way out of the negative mindset.  With the first three miles done in 8:08, 7:49, 7:49, I wanted to try to stay in the 7:40s for the next 3 miles and push the final 3.

My legs got used to the motion probably halfway through the run. Miles 4, 5, and 6 were 7:41, 7:43, and 7:43.  It was still raining but I started having a "I am awesome" moment as I moved into the final third of the run.  My legs still felt tired but it didn't seem so awful as the first third.  Miles 7, 8, and 9 were 7:26, 7:18, and 7:08.  I had shaved a minute off my starting pace!

This was a FANTASTIC run for me, not so much for the pace but for the mental practice of working through fatigue and negativity.  WOO-HOO!

Week 5 Mileage Total: 30.6 miles

I am excited that today (Monday) is a rest day :)