Happy 4th of July! I started out my day right with my first race in over a year, the 3rd Annual Stars & Stripes 5K Run & Walk.
I put a lot of thought into how I wanted to run this race. I could race it, which I pretty much equate to feeling like death for 3.1 miles. Or I could wog* it like I have in training. In the end, I decided to go with something middle of the road.
I didn’t want to full out race it for several reasons:
- I didn’t want to feel like death.
- I didn’t want to mess with any special rest/recovery, nor did I want to injure myself.
- Perhaps most importantly, I knew I wouldn’t finish fast and I wanted the excuse of saying I didn’t race it. Sad, but true.
Then again, it was a race. I didn’t want to feel like I was holding myself back. So I chose not to wear my heart rate monitor and ran it by feel. It certainly felt faster and harder than my typical pace, but I was able to pretty comfortably keep up a conversation the whole time. I finished strong and with gas still in the tank.
I purposely refrained from looking at the Garmin until after the race:
Mile 1 - 9:51
Mile 2 – 9:04
Mile 3 – 9:11 (including a water stop)
Finish time – 29:02
This is by no means a personal best, but I feel really good about it considering where I’m at and how it felt. Even more rewarding, however, was the company.
My favorite running partner.
My fans.
And some friends we ran into in line for the porta potties.
*Wogging = A combination of walking and jogging. A perfectly descriptive term coined by the Running Peanut.
I think that’s pretty fantastic myself. You’ll be back to your old speedy self before ya know it!
Posted by Pam | July 4, 2012, 12:02 pmThanks! However, it’s no 4:19 marathon!
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 12:07 pmLOL And neither will mine be.
Posted by Pam | July 7, 2012, 5:47 amYay for getting out there for a race!
Posted by abbi | July 4, 2012, 12:14 pmI second that yay!
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 12:30 pmCongrats! It probably felt great just to be out there and to do it w/ friends and fans!
Posted by misszippy1 | July 4, 2012, 12:52 pmYep, exactly!
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 1:43 pmWay to go!! Happy 4th of July
Posted by Kari | July 4, 2012, 1:16 pmThanks, you too!
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 1:44 pmgreat race! see? I told you that you were already faster than me!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day too.
Posted by greekmelie | July 4, 2012, 2:24 pmI would be willing to bet you’re just as fast!
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 6:53 pmhaha! please bet! you will lose and I will get the bet
Posted by greekmelie | July 4, 2012, 8:05 pmThat run would be too confusing for my body to handle… It would be like a race, but I’d be trying to go slow.
Posted by Laura | July 5, 2012, 8:32 amThat’s pretty flipping speedy to me! Definitely not a wog.
Posted by Victoria @ Running Peanut | July 4, 2012, 2:52 pmHa! Although this was not a wog, basically every training run I do is DEFINITELY.
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 6:54 pmWay to go! That is a speedy race! I have a 5K in less than two weeks and when I was running the heat this morning I started thinking about how I didn’t want to feel like death at it. Sometimes it’s just not worth it!
Posted by kilax | July 4, 2012, 3:14 pmYeah, I’m of the opinion that some races are for racing and some for just having a good time. I know some people feel like they have to race every race. I have a hard time letting go of time goals, but I’m generally glad when I do.
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 6:56 pmGo to mezamashiiproject.com and in the upper right-hand corner there’s a button that says “request an invite.”
Posted by Pam | July 4, 2012, 5:12 pmNice! Thanks for the tip!
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 6:56 pmWhat a wonderful time. The photos show it! Glad you had special friends with you!
Posted by Mary Ann | July 4, 2012, 6:08 pmMe too!
Posted by Laura | July 4, 2012, 6:56 pmWay cool! I am no where near race-ready, and would have to sell my child to achieve a sub-10 min time. Good for you getting back in it!
Posted by Emily @ Munchies 'n' Marvels | July 5, 2012, 1:32 pmThat’s what I thought before I ran it. You might surprise yourself!
Posted by Laura | July 5, 2012, 7:13 pm