GOTR 5K Race Recap

This past Saturday was a race day.  The Girls on the Run 5K in Huntersville, NC was not set up to be a competitive race (i.e. no chip timing) and it was all about the awesome organization that involves so many young girls who are just starting out running.  When we arrived, I was amazed to see just how many girls ages 8-13 were there for the event.  What a great opportunity to get girls interested in the sport at a young age.  

Saturday morning was misty and rainy and the forecast called for 50 degrees and 60%.  Not the ideal conditions but no need to let that stop us.  So the hubby and I made the trek up to Huntersville for the race where we met up with one of his co-workers and his wife.  The gun went off for the start of the race at 9:00am and I was stuck behind a bunch of people who were just about walking, so after doing some quick bobbing and weaving I swung out to the left side of the group and worked my way forward.  

Now...I know I said it was not supposed to be a competitive race...100% honesty here...I don't know how to run a race and not be competitive so I was going to give it my all.  My plan was to ease into the first mile at a targeted 8:00/mile pace and then after the big hill climb at the end of mile 1 start to let go on the downhill and get under 8:00/mile.  My ultimate goal was to finish under 25 minutes and prove to myself I could hold a less than 8:00/mile pace.  


There were some big hills on this course, the first of which came at the end of mile 1.  Once I crested the top of that hill, I started to let it go on the downhill and felt my speed kick in.  It was at about mile 1.5 that I realized I was in the lead pack and could potentially finish near the top...that was an exhilarating feeling.  No elite runners at this race to contend with, but the winners end up being some middle school track runners.  Mile 2 was great, and then came the big hill on mile 3 that took everything I had to keep moving and dig deep.  It was at least .50 mile steady climb and steep.  I kept moving though and ended up rounding the final turn and sprinted to the finish in 6th place.  After looking at my Garmin I quickly realized the course measured shorter (2.93 miles) so not a full 5K, which means I won't count it as a new PR but I was on pace to set one and that right there is my victory from the day.  Mile splits below.

Mile 1  8:01
Mile 2  7:51
Mile 3  7:35

Next goal is to run a 5K with a 7:45/mile pace average.  Ultimately, I want to break 20 minutes someday for this distance.  Shaun T says that Insanity Max 30 will make a 19 minute 5K possible - today was Day 1 of that program for me so we will test that theory :).  



Have a great week!