Novartis 5k Race Report

The pre-race stuff was chaos, so by the time I got my chip and finished the last-minute sign-in, I only had time for a 1/4 mile warm-up before they were calling us to the start line. Oh, well, it's just for fun anyway. I can't complain, it was a free race.

It was super-humid (literally, the weather report was 100% humidity) and the start was a zoo. As usual, in spite of the announcer asking slower runners and walkers to start in the back of the group, I nearly ran over the walker who was one step in front of me. Because the race was run on the golf-cart path of the golf course, there was very little room for passing. I was able to get around a few of them in the first 100 yards, but then we got boxed in by hedges on one side and a water hazard on the other. I saw one kid nearly fall in the pond as he tried to pass there--oops!

The lack of a good warm-up really hurt me, then I went out a bit too fast as I tried to get around the slower racers. The first mile was on goal pace but then I started to have breathing issues. I ended up walking a short spell to get that back under control, then picked it up again. It was a struggle and overall, I'm not happy with how I raced mentally. I think physically, it wasn't too bad considering my current conditioning but I need to keep my head in the race better.

I did compare my time for this race to the last time I ran it and I was well over a minute faster AND in better condition that year (2008). I'm hoping that bodes well for spring training this year. Time will tell.

The Mental Gymnastics of Running

I have been trying to do most of my runs indoors for a few weeks, but it's not just because I'm avoiding the cold. I have a strategy. In 14 days I'm going to be running a 5k and I am doing what I can in a very short time to get ready for it. The catch is that the race will be in Florida and I learned the hard way what happens when I train in freezing temperatures and then attempt a race in warm/humid conditions. It may really be a physical issue of acclimation, but I suspect the mental side may be just as much a factor for me. So, I rationalize that if I do most of my runs indoors, I'm going to have at least one little thing in my favor at the race. Is there really that big of a jump in training in 20-30 degrees and then racing in the 70's? Maybe, maybe not, but I'm hoping for a little bit of the placebo effect. It'll at least eliminate that excuse if I am unhappy with my race day effort.

That's just one of the ways that my mental games can affect my running. During Sunday's 7-mile run I wanted to quit about a mile into it. Honestly, one mile. How sad is that? I was tired, I didn't want to do it, it was late because I'd procrastinated all day long until it was dark, blah, blah, blah. Good or bad, I ended up back at the Y running more laps on the indoor track. Bad because it had been a beautiful day and I'd missed running in the sun. The good part of it was that I was able to break up my run into nice little bite-sized pieces. Just one more lap, just one more lap, just one more lap...repeat about 40 times and I'd "just one more lap"-ed my way the full 7 miles.

I think that the mental side of running is where I need to focus most of my effort this year. I'm not fast and I am not too optimistic about changing that, but I can be better. I just need to keep my brain in the game and the legs will follow.

Trying again

Wow. I have neglected this site for a LONG time, but I am still running. I did go back and grab a few race reports from 2010 to add here, it'll give you a little something to get you caught up with what I'm doing these days. Short version: I've now completed 7 half marathons, 2 marathons and more 5ks than I care to admit to. Next race on the schedule is a 5k in 2 weeks at a conference in Orlando.

I originally started running with one of the "Couch to 5k" type of programs in January 2007. That was the last time I followed a 5k-specific training plan. Ever since then, I've just worked the 5k races into my training schedule for half/full marathons. This time though, I decided to give the 5k some real training. Will it result in a PR? I doubt it, since I'm still rebuilding from last year's injury and more than 3 months off of training. I'm still optimistic that it's a good way to work on my conditioning before jumping into half marathon training and I enjoy the speedwork outside of the context of marathon training. Speedwork's not so horrid when you aren't doing it on the heels of a 17-mile long run 2 days prior!

Spring 2011 plans so far include the IU Mini Marathon on April 2, the Indianapolis Komen Race for the Cure 5k on April 16, and the Flying Pig Half Marathon on May 1. As for marathons, I think I'm going to take a break from those for a while so I can concentrate on improving at shorter distances. My 5k PR is 27:26 (2009) and my half marathon PR is 2:11:27 (2008), I'd like to get both of those improved before I revisit the idea of marathon training. I really like the 5k and the half distances and they don't have such a huge impact on my family life. Not to mention, I can do multiple half marathons within a short timeframe or even on a whim. A marathon? That's about like adding in a part-time job for 4 months!

I got 2011 off to a running start by meeting up with several folks from my running group on New Year's Day morning. We went for 4 to 7 miles (I was in the 4-mile group) and then met back up for a pitch-in breakfast. It's always fun to have a social hour after a run and what a great way to start the new year! As a little bonus, I was able to pick up my "award" from the fall training season. I'd missed the actual presentation at the season-end party, but Mel was kind enough to bring it to the New Year's Run. I'm not certain, but I have a good idea that my race morning outfit for the Indy Monumental may have had something to do with the award. ;)