run a 5k

I’ve realized one thing that is preventing me from getting faster: fear. Since I’m only doing 3 days per week, I’m afraid if I run faster, I won’t be able to finish, and I won’t get a full 30-minute workout.

Here’s what I plan to do in the next week or so: take a stopwatch with me, and at every 5-minute mark, sprint for 30 seconds. I’ll see what that does for me.

A week before I completed my 6-mile goal, I ran a 5k (not an organized event – just a route in my neighborhood) in 27:40. If they’ll only let me compete in the 60-year-old division, I’ll kick ass.

For five weeks, I’ve been averaging three runs per week. Not spectacular, but steady. My plan is to add a fourth run starting in July.

I’ve been averaging one run per week. Wow. I really need to refocus on this goal.

I bought a reflective safety vest today. My intention: to get at least a couple more runs in each week BEFORE work, which means running in the dark.

My running has really taken a hit since I a) moved (can’t find my damn running shoes and b) bought a bike (since I’m riding during those times when I used to run). There’s a killer 5K called the Midsummer’s Night Run in Lexington, KY in August. I’d love to run that one, but I don’t think I’ll be anywhere near the condition I need to be. Ah well, maybe I can catch the next one.

...due to the cycling. Weekend mornings were my main outdoor running days before. Now, I’m getting up at daylight on Saturdays and Sundays to ride my bike. I’m not getting as good a cardio workout, either, since I’m still pretty slow on the bike and do as much coasting as peddaling. I guess I’ll have to rely on the treadmill again.

Actually, my goal is to run my SECOND 5K. I ran my first and only in September 2005 in 31:07. I’m hoping to do one this summer with a time under 28 minutes.