My next handful of races are all 5K and 10K distance. One of the things that may have been tripping me up is my inability to commit to training specifically for these shorter distances. I was all over the place with what distance I wanted to do, telling my coach I wouldn’t mind being able to try to run a fast 100m race. Well, that is entirely different training and counterproductive to running a strong 5K and 10K. On the other end, I had my sights on a strong half marathon race at the end of May, so I was hoping to fold in the shorter distances into my training schedule, but again, not really committed to any of these in particular. Not only did I not take into account that I would have to have a particular race strategy, but also my training would have to be different. So this week I finally made the commitment to train for these shorter distances specifically for the next few months. Here’s how it went.
Tag: 10K
Cottontail 5K Race Recap
First race of 2019 – the Cottontail 5K! Here is how my prep week and race went. It was a mixed bag for sure.
Training Week: March 18-March 24
Frustrating week of training as I didn’t get the runs in that I needed to. My schedule got wonky, so there was no long run, and it just seems that I haven’t been able to get into any consistent type of routine. Anyway, here’s how things went.
Training Week: March 11-March 17
Back to it with Trainer. Started the week with a four-mile base run at 8:51 pace before the sun came up (thank you, daylight savings sheesh). Then core, upper body, and prehab session with Trainer. For the footwork drills, we do 2-3 sets of each, and even though the pattern is similar, it gets changed up slightly each set, so it hits different parts of the leg (e.g., one set I hop laterally, the other forward and back).
Training Week: March 5-March 10
I spent a week in Jamaica! I could have pushed it and stuck to a rigid schedule, but I took the opportunity to rest, relax, and reconnect. Here’s how it went.
Training Week: Feb 26-March 4
Short week and a travel week, but I still got some good work in.
From a recent track session. We’ve been working on an exaggerated high knee (ahem, the audio). I am not fast compared to people who actually compete in masters track, but what I at least try to do is have good form. That is one of the things I think about when it gets real like on the third rep of a 120 (after hill work).
Training Week: Feb 19-Feb 25
To sum up the week: “What did I do?” Here are the highlights.
Started the week with an active recovery day. I did an easy 2 miles (9:28) and then had a full body conditioning session with Trainer that included 1000 jump ropes (7:12 sec!) and core work. Pro tip: Do not reveal your weakness. I told Trainer about my penchant for late night snacks. I LOVE my late night snacks. Last night after dinner and after my post-dinner snack, I then had a Lara bar, nuts, vegan cheese, and dried fruit. I don’t know how I don’t weigh a gajillion pounds. Anyway the core work felt extra hard today. Ugh.
I didn’t do nearly as much recovery this week, and had a difficult track workout with Trainer. Hill sprints, 120s and 80s, then some footwork on some tired legs. Sheesh. Anyway, I paid for it on my long run. It was a struggle run. Mentally wasn’t feeling it at all; physically legs were dead. Oh well, I figured it out. Highest mileage week and longest run in a minute. Just being patient and knowing that this is the time to build my endurance and trusting the speed will show up later.
So I was feeling so good after last week’s long run of 10 miles that I went ahead and made the commitment. On my long run, I was seriously questioning my life choices.
Total Weekly Mileage: 28
Long Run: 12
