Sraikh- 5k Race Update
My first 5k race was last Sunday. I thought I was ready for it. I had high hopes of being under 40 mins. But it wasnt to be.
My official chip timing was 46.23. The Nike thing was 49 mins and it clearly needs to be calibrated. It informs me I am done with my 5k when the finish line wasnt even in sight.
I ran 2 miles and then walked the last mile. I have quite a few reasons for this.
1) I was tired from Sat. We walked in Neil’s preschool parade and then came home andtended to the garden and stuff.
2)Thurs, I had a training session with a trainer and she had me doing lunges, squats and other crazy stuff. My thighs were aching.
3)Its was freaking hot .
4)I normally run in the late evening.This race was early morning, as will be all races. I couldnt motivate my body to run at all. 10 yrs old were overtaking me during the race. I am wondering whether this could be the reason?
I am nothing but positive. I use alot of self talk in my head to get me through things. (PS This is how I handle my 4 kids with no help whatsoever) I have rambling conversations with my inner self. On the drive back home from the race, this was going through my mind. 46 is a okay time for a complete beginner who didnt even start running till 2 months before. This is my first race, I can and will achieve faster runs in the future. I will work out smarter, incorporate more hills. I know I can do it. I could have done a lot worse.I wasnt last. I ran most of the race. And most of all, I wasnt thinking, oh good the race is over. I can stop running. I was thinking when is the next race I should sign up.
Summer holidays are going to be here soon and I am planning on getting up early to get a run in before NK leaves for work. I havent gone out running since last Sunday. I need to start back again. I might sign up for another 5k end June, a 10 k in August and maybe, just maybe a half marathon in Oct..which to me sounds totally crazy.Even now, I am wondering whether I should backspace and delete it .
Hi Sunita,
It’s great news that you managed to finish your first 5k! Don’t worry about the time. I’m sure you have learnt a lot of valuable lessons.
Maybe, I should have given this advice earlier, but here goes.
I usually never run before the day before a race. I take loads of rest, eat properly (read pasta), and get my whole 8 hours of sleep. Your legs need to be fresh to get a good time. I also run at different times, mornings, evenings and afternoons — of course, I understand this may not be possible for you, but you may want to try it out when you can.
The Nike iPod, if I’m not mistaken, has a 10% error. Which is “OK” for small distances, but on larger ones (> 10k), you may not want to rely on it completely — think about it the iPod says you ran the whole 10, but you still have to run another 1 k. Also, in a race sometimes you run more than the stipulated distance, because you are weaving in and out of the crowd or you don’t take the tangents on the turns.
Nonetheless, a step forward and hopefully many more to come.
Cheers,
Rohit
Rohit, I didnt run the day before. Looking at the Nike, it was Wed of the race week.
I think a big thing was the timing. My body was just sluggish and not all working. I am going to try and run in the mornng in summer and will report back at the end of June after the next 5k.:)
Thanks Rohit
Hey Sunita…way to go. This is your first race so please don’t be so disheartened. You have learnt from this and will now go on to do well in the coming races
Thanks SMM :)
Sunita, Dont worry , you did great considering this is your first race !!!!
I am sure you will do a lot better in your future races :) a big Yay for you !!!!
Thanks for the encouragement Prashanti. You guys are so good for me.
Dude I would not be able to finish a 5k race. And you’re worrying about timing!
:)
Great Sunita. Awesome job! I agree with Rohit. Never run before the day of the race. Also, Rohit, correct me if I am wrong, but runners are often advised to load up on carbs before the race(maybe true for longer runs though!)
Ohh a new picture. I dont think I have ever seen a pic of you!
Hehe yeah….I moved to wordpress and now m thinking why not have a picture on the blog…what harm?
Pasta and Perakath sitting in the tree.
K I S S I NG..
rofl..Seriously Pasta? wonder what kind of last name would suit her.
Yep, that’s what I meant when I said pasta. Yes, it’s mostly for longer runs, but I like pasta and it gives me a psychological boost so I will eat it anyway.
I (almost) dated a girl called Pasta once.
Replied to the wrong comment there, Sraikh! Not ‘Pasta’, but a close fit name meaning ‘soul’, I think. And a common Punjabi surname.
Oh so proud of you!!!
whoa! u r inspiration to me lady!! :D
Rohith is v v right. Week of the race you dont exert yourself. This is esp crucial when u go long distances- 10K+. The fatigue will bit u in the ass quickly.