Run a 25 Minute 5K

I want to do this by March 2010

My first was 5k was in May and it took me a little over 35 minutes and I just ran one yesterday and I did it in 29:10, so hopefully by next spring I will be able to run a 25 minutes 5k. I just have to get down to 8 minute miles, which seems impossible right now, but I just have to keep training!

I did a interval training today on the treadmill, 1% incline, alternating between about 7:35 pace and 9:00 pace. I measured my 5k time just for fun, but the run was actually 3.5 miles. I did it without really trying too hard. Even better, due to a timing issue, 25:08 is an overestimate of my time.

Given how easy that felt, I’m going to mark this goal done and try my hand at a 24 minute 5k!

I’m now halfway through the program, and have run over 20 miles this week (which is a lot for me). The 6-mile long run was tough—we got to the gym a little late, and so I upped the speed in order to get through all six miles on the treadmill before closing time. So I averaged about a 9:00 mile, and I’m surprised how hard it was, considering that I think I can now do an 8:00 pace!! So now I’m reconsidering changing my goal. If I finish the August race in 24 minutes, that’s great, but I’ll be happy to check this goal off no matter what!

I had a great run today. 8:00 pace (my target pace) for 2.7 miles on a treadmill, alternating between 0.0% and 5.0% incline every 0.3 miles. The incline was really tough!! But I got through. What’s most encouraging is that, even at my target pace, I felt like I could catch my breath during the flat portions of the run. I have no doubt anymore that I could run a 25 minute 5k. In fact, I’m tempted to change my goal to a 24 minute 5k! But let me actually try a 25 min 5k at some point first.

Well last week wasn’t so good, I ended up working almost 13 hours a day for 6 days, needless to say the last thing I wanted to do was run! I know that if I really want this I have to plan accordingly, it is the only way. So this weekend I got back on the wagon and did 3.5 miles Saturday and Sunday, and boy I realized how much I missed it. I have challanged myself to try to get up at 6:00 each morning and be in the park by 7:00. Today I am going to create little motivational saying to tape up all over the place to help me while creating this new habit. I hope it works because I realize I get cranky when I don’t run :)

blister has healed, still on schedule.

When I think about how much I used to dislike running, I’m thoroughly amazed at my behavior the last few weeks. Running really requires consistency, more than anything else I’ve done for fun. Having realized that fact, I am now haunted by the thought of missing even a single day of my running program. In midnight dark, I’ve found myself half inebriated, squinting under bright fluorescents while trying to keep from falling off the treadmill. The other wet weekend I said I would not fear rain, would not falter unless it started thundering. Yet when the skies really rumbled I decided that non-visible lightning didn’t count. And tonight, having finished my short quota for the day, I feel the hunger sharply, as if after a snack too meager. I can’t wait for the weekend, when I can deposit another dozen miles into my running register.

What has made me so anal? Maybe my desire to finish has piqued over the long year or so I’ve been working on this goal? Or have I finally taken to heart the lesson about consistency being the keystone to running? It scares me in a way, because I’ve always been suspicious of consistent people and their lack of creativity, spontaneity. But now that I’m becoming more consistent, I see there’s something to it. With consistency comes the ability to accomplish great things. It comes at a cost, but that cost no longer seems as great as it did before. Am I changing? Maybe for the better?

I’m starting to blister a little bit between two toes, but otherwise I’m going strong, right on schedule. 1/3 done, 8 weeks to go.

As I looked out the window this morning to see the sun shining I thought AHHH what a great day for a run. So I threw on my new black running shorts and cute little tank (hey if I’m going to do something I suck at I might as well look good doing it!) and hit the park. Well why the heck hasn’t anyone told me that it’s not easy to run when it’s 89 degrees outside? This was suppose to be my second long run, I did 5 miles on Monday (I’m trying to add distance before speed); well at mile 1.57 I decided it was going to be a walking day, so I set out to walk 8 miles. At about 7 the clouds blackened and down came the rain…...that was an experience!!

So here I am inside ready to work on some ab work.

One recommendation I can make to everyone is you have to invest in a running gps watch. They are a little pricey but sooooo work it. When I decided to really go hard at the running I did some reseach and bought a Garmin Forerunner 205. It tracks my pace, distance & time. It also has a running partner feature that keeps you moving toward your goal. You can then upload the information online and watch where you ran via google maps and keep a log on what you are doing. It also works for biking and certain cross training activities. Again pricey ($250.00 at circuit city) but if you really want to get better it is worth every pretty shiny penny!

So tomorrow I will try my again go for the distance (jeez it’s rough) and I really need to continue learning PACE with everything in life!