BRRC 5k

Week - 5k
Month - 5k
YTD - 97.5k

I stuck to my word and entered the 5k event today. It was bring a friend day where if you introduced a mate they ran for 1/2 the normal entry fee and you ran for free. Well I think that's how it worked. I obviously didn't introduce anyone but Cass did walk the 5k loop pushing Sam.

Anyway, it was good getting up a little later as the start was at 6.30am rather than the 6am for the longer races. In saying that we still stuffed around half asleep getting everything bar the kitchen sink for Sam's nappy bag. On the way the fuel light came on in the car which took up even more time filling up however we eventually arrived a good 10 minutes before the planned start time.

I registered and paid for my 07 membership and set off for a small warm up. My legs have never felt better. Even on a good day it still seems to take a while before they begin the operate properly but today they felt great from the onset.

The race start was postponed a bit but we soon headed off when the race clock said 30 minutes. I took off pretty quickly but slowed down when I realised I was being to keen.

Before I go any further I should have mentioned my goals. Given that I have only ran 5.5k since the 18 Jan (17 days) I decided on three outcomes and how I would feel about the results.
Sub 20 minutes = Very Happy
20.30 = Happy
20.31 - 21 mins = A little disappointed but understandable.

Alright back to the race.

Anyway everything was going well, I began catching those who seemed to be as eager as I and passed the first k in 3.51. Still feeling good however I did think that I was running a little quicker than that. I maintained the pace for the next k passing the 2k mark in 7.39 (3.48/k).

Looking good for a sub 20 minute I still didn't want to too excited about it. The 3k marker seemed to take forever and by this stage I was now thinking that this is becoming alot tougher. I didn't seem to notice the heat that much but it was a nice relief when I did actually run through a shady section. I passed the 3k marker in 11.29 (3.50/k).

It was then I knew that I had it in the bag. Currently averaging 3.50/k I could now slow 20 odd secs per km and still get under 20. However I still battled on and was starting to feel the lack of k's in the legs. I began picking things in the distance and pushing to that point which seemed to work well.

At about 3.5k I passed Tesso who was running the 10k event and tried to fake that I was still in good knick however I don't think I was convincing anyone, not even myself. I passed the 4k mark in 15.19 (3.50), and now struggling to hold pace.

It was a sporatic last km which felt more like a fartlek session than anything else. It wasn't until the path section that leads down to the finish that I sorted my pace out and ran on strongly to finish in 19.18 (3.59). My slowest split of the day but I didn't care. All I cared about was that I needed oxygen and fast!! I was pretty puffed to say the least but I was also pretty chuffed with the time considering my past few weeks training.

I can report that the calf held up fine and I didn't get any post run soreness. I will still be taking it easy and gradually build up to the normal training and pace further down the track.

Just before we headed off Clairie got big hugs from Sam who was quite content to be nursed by her. Arms wrapped around her neck he was happy and enjoyed chewing on her shoulder. After we peeled Sam away from her and let her get back to ordering people around ;-) Cass said "he doesn't even give me hugs like that", she gave him stern talking to in the car on the way home ;-)