Monday, September 26, 2011

Chiropractic 5K

I hate 5k's. They are so hard. There's no easing into things. There's no warm up time. It's just balls to the wall (as Janz's grandpa puts it!) from the very beginning. I don't know how to pace myself really well and as a result I usually either go out too fast or too slow. But I have told myself that I need to do more of these smaller races to gain experience, use them as a sort of speed work, and overcome my fears. Truthfully, before last December, I had only run 1 5k in my life. And it was for a dear friend who had lost her son. He had been an organ donor and we did it in his honor. I was injured and my time was not great (31 something...) and I had no desire to do another. Well I guess I did a Santa Run 5k but that was just for the pictures and the cookies and milk. And we finished that in 31:49.

This year I've done 3 now. (26:40, 28:36 (barefoot), 27:25) And this one was the one that I felt the most pressure behind it. The chiropractor that I've gone to in the past to help with my IT band issues was putting on a 5k. They do it to raise funds for the pregnancy center in our town. I've had a really good relationship with my chiropractor. He's been so good to help with my issues. But he's not sold on the barefoot running thing so I felt like I had something to prove. Pretty silly, I know. So I showed up in my running sandals ready to go. Truthfully, I didn't know how it was going to go. You just never know what kind of running day it's going to be.


The "before" picture. Me, Jodi, and Robyn

I started off at a comfortable fast pace. There were a couple of times in the first mile that I wanted to go faster but wasn't sure if I could sustain it or not so I backed off. But after the mile and a half marker I just let it go. There were some good uphills as well as downhills, nothing too major, just slight inclines. And on the last 1/2 mile uphill I pushed it. I'm a little better on the inclines than the declines. I was coming up on a girl I knew was in my age group who I never thought I'd ever be able to keep up with. I was feeling the need to puke because I was pushing it so hard. I contemplated backing off. But just decided to keep going. I was on a crazy mission to see what I could do, what I could physically and mentally push through. So I began dry heaving while I was running. Not a pretty picture I'm sure. I caught up to her, said hi, and passed slowly. She caught up to me and passed me. Now I am not a competitive person, but I wasn't in the mood to be passed at this point in the race. So I picked it up and passed her. Another girl caught up. Pretty soon we were in a 3 way sprint to the finish. I came in second in that little fight but ahead of the girl in my age group. It was a pretty exciting finish! I didn't even hear my time but I filled out my card and went over to get a drink. It wasn't until about 15 minutes later that I found my time card and discovered that I'd won 3rd in my age group and scored a new PR of 24:50. Shocked doesn't even begin to explain what I was thinking. And really worry because I don't know if I'll ever beat that!

Jodi and I both took 3rd in our age groups!
I had a nice chat with my Dr. and it was good to catch up. I don't know how he feels about barefoot running, but he said it was obviously doing good things for me. I passed my year mark of barefoot and minimalist running a couple of weeks ago and I still need to do a post on that.

After the awards Jodi and I downed some chocolate milk and headed over to the bike/hiking trail that I've been building. It was the city's grand opening of the trail now that we have over a 2 mile loop completed. We ran it and though my legs were feeling a bit sluggish, we enjoyed the views and the conversation. It was a long day and by the end I was exhausted. Who knew a 5k could take so much out of you!


How do you feel about shorter races?
Love them or do you long for distance? I have to say that I long for distance but there was a definite feeling of accomplishment after this exciting finish!

20 comments:

Julie said...

Congrats on your new PR! I bet it felt great winning 3rd AG!!
And how cool is it that you are working on building new trails?!?! Are you stopping at 2 miles or going to continue on making it longer?

Andrea said...

Wow - amazing new PR! :) What a great feeling!! I think the distance thing goes hand in hand (foot in foot?) with the barefoot thing. I just love to run and minimalist running is so enjoyable over the long haul. Hmm...yep, distance over speed for me for sure!

Unknown said...

What a great post... The battle at the finish line must have been very exciting... dry heaves and all. Congratulations on your PB! I agree, I prefer long distance to speed any day of the week. 5 ks are the worst for the reasons you just outlined. Mike

Stefanie D. said...

Holy cow! That is an amazing PR! Congrats!!

Cory Reese said...

I totally agree - I hate shorter races. Yesterday I told a friend that a fast 5k hurts as bad as a half marathon. He thought I was kidding. Nope. I wasn't.

Great job at the race!

Lindsey said...

Great job!! That's an awesome time - way to go!

A Prelude To... said...

WOOT! That's fast, girl!
I've only done one 5k and I found it to be very uncomfortable...and I was only in the 28:00s at the finish...I can't imagine a 24:50??!!!!! Someday...

If I had seen you dry heaving, I probably would have started gagging myself...hey! that might be a new strategy to drop people...start their gag reflex a goin' ;p

Stephanie said...

Congrats!!

I am not a fan of the 5K. At all!! I prefer distance running, but I do sign up for a 5K or 10K here and there. It forces me to run fast and hard.

Tricia said...

Ha! just posted about my dislike of 5ks

congrats!

Rachelle Wardle said...

Um hello speedy gonzalez!!! THis is so so awesome and I am so incredibly proud of you. 5k's are so hard and you pushed yourself outside of your comfort zone and that is awesome!!

Love the trail!! I must come up and run it with you.

Julia said...

EEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKK!!!! this just pumped me up! Jen you are amazing...so true that you never know what type of running day it will be but also so true you never know what you are capable of until you just let yourself go! so proud of you for doing that! i love your shirt too :)

5ks are so tough. i constantly think...wow...if I could just run an even 8 minute mile or something for every single mile of a 5k...that would be great. NEVER happens. everything is TOO quick for me and it is tough to ever feel like I really have caught my breath.

i want to come visit at some point :) miss you!

Coy Martinez said...

NIIIIIICE! 24 minutes! The fastest I've ever been able to barefoot out a 5K is in 28. I know EXACTLY what you mean about wanting to chuck because you're trying so hard. You're whole body feels like it's caving inward. That's awesome that you held on! I did a tri recently and this girl in my age group tried to race me into transition and I beat her down. I was NOT to be passed that day! Some days I don't care but I did that day! :)

misszippy said...

Great job Jen! I had to laugh about the girl you passed catching back up to you--I hate nothing more than the dreaded "re-pass!" But you blew that away.

The scenery from the 'after" run is spectacular. You live in gorgeous country!

Jen @ Run for Anna said...

Wow! That is a serious PR!! Congratulations on a great race.
Those pictures are beautiful...what pretty scenery!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

Yay! You're back Jen!! Missed you!! Congratulations on a surprise PR!!! wow!!

i want to do more short races to continue to develop speed! I know they hurt but the hurt doesn't last too long!

Nelly said...

Congrats on the 5K PR! 5Ks are indeed pure pain, they just hurt going that fast. My favorite race distance is anything 5 miles or higher, because you aren't in pure agony the whole race.

Gotta say chocolate milk after a race is the best thing ever!

And that is awesome that you ran on the trail you helped build!

Sam W. said...

you are so speedy!! i like the shorter distances - over faster :)

Lindsey said...

Great job in the 5K! Lately when I have run 5K's I always wish I was running a longer race so I wouldn't feel like I have to run so fast! 5K's are killer!

LAPT said...

Speedy gonzalez!! And you're just as adorable as always, too. :-)

Elle said...

Did I forget to tell you I love the new look.... that picture of you in your header is just beautiful.

I smile every time I see it.

It inspires me.