Learning to Love the 5K Race Again

Me at the far left pushing hard to PR in while race walking, speed walking the New Albany Independence 5K. — Me on the far left pushing hard to PR in the New Albany Independence Day 5K and trying to catch the walker in front of me (wearing the blue bib). Photo courtesy of the New Albany Independence Day 5K.

The half marathon has been my favorite race distance for years. I love the training, the planning, the sense of accomplishment at finishing that long of a race. It is not so long that the recovery takes days — like the marathon — and it is not so short that you wonder why you bother entering.

That said, I am gaining a new appreciation for shorter races, specifically the 5K.

The New Albany 5K

At the New Albany Independence Day 5K yesterday, I was able to push myself pretty hard for the entire distance. In fact, I pushed myself harder than I have in any race in a long time. And the best part was, I had to do it for only 3.1 miles!

I finished the 5K in 37:24 for a PR 2:20 faster than my previous fastest 5K. According to Cool Running’s pace calculator, I had to average 12:02 per mile to finish a 3.1 mile race in 37:24. (Assuming the course was measured accurately.)

When you race walk, speed walk, fast walk, a 5K, you might win your age group and win a ginormous pie. — I was the second place woman walker and first place in my age group! As the second place walker, I won entry to the New Albany Walking Classic in September. As first in my age group, I won this giant apple pie.

I had an amazing race! I started out a little bit too fast. When I caught up to Steve at about mile 1, he said we were doing an 11-min mile! (My Garmin did not agree, but it rarely does.) Unfortunately, my shoe came untied, Steve zoomed ahead, and I lost at least 20 seconds.

I could feel myself slowing down in the second mile. Then I realized that if I could push just a little bit harder, I might be able to catch up to Steve again and maybe pass the woman ahead of me. I dug a little bit deeper, and surprisingly, I did pick up the pace! I could feel my turnover rate get faster. By using tangents, I was able to cut the distance even more, but I was just not able to catch either of them.

Steve ended up beating me by 2 seconds and the woman by more than 2 min. (Steve was lined up ahead of me at the start and she must have been lined up way behind both of us.)

Conclusion

It was exhilarating! I had a feeling of accomplishment I had not felt in years. I didn’t have time to think about anything other than turnover rate, tangents and breathing. (And trying to catch Steve.)

Walking at that fast of a pace was hard and it hurt. At one point I thought my heart would pound out of my chest. But the pain lasted only 37 minutes and 24 seconds — not the 3 hours I average in a half marathon.

I won first place in my age group! I was also second overall female and fifth overall walker. I’ve never even placed in a half marathon.

I think I’m hooked.

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