Race Review: Golden Key 5k

Well, still not the results I’ve been looking for, but a race I feel better about. Not a PR, not even in the “new era” (not HS). But better than I’ve run this year, and for at least 2k I raced a really strong runner.

Lining up for the race I was beginning to think I might have trouble competing. I had been sick most of the week, only getting 1 real run in (Tuesday’s track workout) and I was still feeling stuffy. I saw several Runner Depot jerseys and at least 1 Footworks jersey (local running stores that host race teams.) Remembering the last 5k when the Runner Depot runner ran away from me I was hoping to at least be able to race a little closer. Then I saw, and was introduced to Bryan Huberty, one of the better distance runners in the area, and I knew I’d have to have a great day to even think about being competitive. Bryan isn’t really a 5k runner, he’s usually at or near the front in marathon and half marathons in the area, but I had seen that he’d posted a 16:45 or so early this year.

Race Review: Heal the Stride 5K (4/3) – Double Header Part 2

The day after the Run to Stop MS I headed up to Miami Shores with Veronica to race another local 5K. This time I felt awake after claiming a full 8 hours of sleep the night before (mainly because I’d been unable to keep my eyes open at 10PM). This time I was hopeful I could pull off a much better time.

Sitting around before the start I saw one guy I thought my give me a race today – he was wearing a Runner Depot Race Team shirt so I knew he was serious. The Runner Depot Race team always has guys placing at the top of races in Miami, taking 1-2 in the 13.1 race not long ago, but they typically represent at long distance events – maybe I could compete in a 5K.

Race Review: Run to Stop MS 5K (4/2/11) – Double Header Part 1

Well, I guess the most apparent part of this race review is that I’ve returned to short distance races at least temporarily. I should have known when I said I was giving them up for longer races that it wouldn’t last. They’re just so much fun… And easy. Sort of. Less than 18 minutes of pain, unfortunately I’m quickly learning I don’t have the same ability to push through that pain that I used to – something I really have to work on as I prep for the Chicago this fall.

I had decided that I was going to use April and perhaps part of May as speed work months before / as I begin my first distance build up during my base build up for Chicago marathon training. I figured a fun and easy way to do that would be racing my way into shape… I put about 8 5K & 10K races on the calendar, not expecting to be able to do half of them with my busy work schedule. Since I’m not in serious training at the moment, running is fun and not interfering with my life. This means I’m not doing many hard miles, no real tempo or interval workouts, and, well, I have a life…

Race Report: Miami Beach Karhu 5k

This is a race report I didn’t expect to write. Partly because I hadn’t planned on running 5ks this year as I focus on some longer distances, and partly because I hadn’t decided to run this race until 11pm the night before…

I went to bed at 11:45 the night of the race to get up at 4 to head over to South Beach to register for the race. With not enough sleep, not enough good food over the last week, and no speed training, I once again was going into a race totally unprepared. Hopefully this will not be the theme of this year.