The whole running thing has been going well, despite my lack of blog updates.
I’ve been part of the women’s running group that follows a run/walk schedule that leads up to a 5k. A couple weeks ago I realized despite the walk breaks I was already doing the 5k distance almost every time. Running a 5k has been on my to-do list forever, but it always slightly intimidated me. Realizing I had already been doing that distance no problem made it seem way less scary.
August 13, I went on my first timed 5k run (I started using RunKeeper).
It was slow and included both a warm up and cool down, but I was excited to know that I could do a 5k distance!
Then I decided to sign up for the Forrest Spence 5k. They were a great client at my day job and I loved working with them on their new website. It worked out perfectly that their 5k hit around the time I was finally working up to doing the 5k distance. I signed up with all sorts of excitement and serendipity!
Yesterday I went and picked up my packet for the race. Getting the cool shirt and my number made me so excited!!
The race was this morning and I was so anxious because I’d never done a 5k and I was doing it alone. Luckily it was exactly 5 minutes from my house so traveling to it didn’t factor in. It was also extremely well run so I had no problems finding the start or anything else.
The race itself was great! I had a bit of trouble pacing myself in the beginning because I normally run with a slower group or Juju. Running in a 5k with much faster people was something that was new. I tried to keep to my planned pace as much as possible.
A couple of hills in the park gave me trouble and I had to walk up them which was not planned. I definitely think some of my future workouts will be hill work.
In the end I finished with a smile on my face!
As soon as I got home I checked my official time because I was very curious!
The race said I ran a 47:35 time for the 5k with an average pace of 15:19. I was 43rd in my age group and 482 overall. Not bad for my first go! That’s definitely faster than I was running so yay improvement!
I started my RunKeeper app at the start line and it had my results when I finished a little differently:
It had me at a little faster pace and going a bit farther than that 5.1 distance. Either way, I was around a 15 minute mile and it was for sure my best time yet for a 5k.
This morning’s 5k made me realize they are so much fun and a great way to get in the runs I need to do. Over the next few months I’ll be running longer distances as I train to run/walk a half-marathon for St. Jude in December (donations welcome here). I’m definitely going to put in a few more fall 5ks to get my shorter runs in! So much fun!
Thanks to the Forrest Spence Fund and everyone who helped make this race great. It was a perfect first 5k. :)
Always been a lurker, but wanted to say that I’m glad to see a post from you and that you are doing well. Congratulations on your first 5K!!! What an awesome feeling huh! Good luck as you train for your half.
Great job!
Thank you for coming out!
No problem! Thank you guys for being so great!
That’s awesome. I just signed up for my first 5K next month. I’m pretty excited, but I have a lot of work to do since I haven’t been running as much as should be lately.
Congrats Mary!! Every step in the process is a win! :)
Wahoo !! You go girl well done glad your ok :)
Way to go on your first 5k! :) If you ever want a running pal for a 5k, let me know. I am only about 3 hours (a bit less) from Memphis, and love to do races with people. (No running buds here, so jealous of your running group!) Congrats again!
Defintiely let’s do this! Which direction are you? I’m all for running 5ks with people… as long as you aren’t super speedy! hehe. :)
Nope not super speedy :) But I love 5ks! I am in North Alabama.
Great job! Running in Memphis in August heat….sounds brutal!
Great job Mary. Now I just have to transform the positivity in you blog to my butt, so I can get out there and do the same.
Good for you Mary. Just keep going at your own pace and you will get better and better over time. Best of luck for the future races.
Congrats and nice recap! Thanks for the heads up about the RunKeeper app, what a great tool. Never seen it before you wrote about it
Congrats Mary! I have been wondering how you have been getting on – sounds like you are doing fantastically well!! Running a 5k is no small feat, especially on your own – I would be beaming with pride if I was you! Keep at it, you are going to smash that half marathon xx
checking on you…
Great job Mary! Hills definitely suck, unless you are going down them!
That’s awesome! Good job on your first 5k! :)
Congrats on your first 5K Mary! First one is always tough but finishing it, is a HUGE achievement regardless of your placing. Next one you’ll be more prepared and just try to do better than your previous. A single journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step. You’re on your way to great results. keep it up!
Encouraging. I should seriously think about my first 5K as well. I am not quite sure it is OK for me as I am over my 40? What should I do to prepare?
Great job! I’m excited you tackled your first 5k. I’m sure this will be the first of many :-) Thank you for sharing your race with us!
Hey your post was really inspiring! I’ve got my first 5k coming up myself in six weeks time and was still undecided whether to give it a try or not.. but now I will! (will let you know how it goes)
Great work. Hard work does pay off and you deserve it.
You are missed.
Amazing job on your first 5k! I remember when I ran mine and went too fast in the beginning and lost my pace. I can’t wait for to do another 5k this fall.
Well done on running a 5k! I’m yet to build up to one. I love your idea of finding a running group thats specific goal is to run something like this. I’m going to check out the app too!
Wooh! This is me cheering for you! Congratulations!