A 10k after not racing or training for about 2 years. I decided to enter the Elizabeth River Run 10k race with only 4 weeks to train. Yes, I guess you can say I like a challenge.
My overall goal was to break 50 minutes, next goal break 52 minutes, next goal at least get a PR which means breaking 54 minutes.
I had to set my goals that way. With only 4 weeks to train, those in the running world now its more like 3 and half weeks of training. It’s not a lot of time to train for a my first goal of breaking 50 minutes, but if everything else clicks with training then the latter two were definitely possible.
I used a some training that my dear friend sent me. Here is the link. It’s strictly for 10k training. I picked out a few workouts. I did 2 speed workouts a week. I will say my most enjoyable, yet hated workout was the 2 mile repeats at goal pace. Yup, I was cursing the latter way through that workout. But it helped set my mind and body for what needed to be done. What can I say, I like a working hard.
The race went well or at least rather well. I ended up slowing down on the cobblestone road during the run, which made me sacrifice time. I lost some confidence during that part of the race, which lasted with me for about a mile or so. That was enough to put me behind my first goal. BUT…
I ended up with a time of 51:28, which is a PR of 4 minutes.
Yes, there is room for improvement, but overall I nailed 2 out of 3 goals in less than 4 weeks. Not to shabby…
My next race will be another 10k in October. After 2 and a half months of hiking in the mountains with a toddler on my back. I am hoping to break 50 minutes. I will have about 6 weeks this time to train. I am hoping for better results.
My favorite image from the race…
There is no better way to end a race with PR of 3 minutes then to get a big hug from your favorite little girl in the world.
I placed 7th out of 50 in my age group. Not too shabby.
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