Sunday, March 10, 2013

Winning is FUN

I loathe 5K's. Seriously. I am not fast. I don't like the discomfort of a 5K. There is no easing into it. You just go go go right off the bat.

That being said, my hatred towards them has dulled oh just a tad today and it is all because of this beauty...


Oh yeah baby guess who go their first running trophy!

This makes both the early wake up after losing an hour of sleep, plus the long hike out to the Bronx - Van Cortlandt Park - worth it.

There is something to be said for small local races. If you haven't done one before, get your butt out there. I am not a fast runner by any means (I don't know my official time even - no timing chips!) my time according to my Garmin was 22:41 but I also started it a tad late. And I think the course was short. Not to detract from how I did though. Pretty proud.

I did a long training run of just under 13 miles yesterday - hitting race pace for a few miles so the fact that I did pretty well in the 5K today - on a part trail course - patting myself on the back.

Never underestimate the desire for wanting to be DONE with race for getting you to get your hustle on! I was pretty chilled so I ran a couple laps of the track to warm up prior to the start. I couldn't wait to begin because I was so cold for some reason! And it wasn't even THAT cold out today.

The race started out on the track with a couple of loops before heading out of the stadium towards the trails. I realized shortly after the start I didn't start my Garmin my goal was to try and pace around 8 - I was using today as a tempo run - so when I started it I was pacing under 8 which didn't feel too difficult.

Once we headed into the trails though I was slowed for sure - the change in running path to the trails slowed me down, but it was nice to be off the asphalt. There was one uphill that was definitely daunting especially when trying to keep a quicker pace. Once we got up that though it was pretty smooth sailing and I quickly got back on pace.

I'm not sure how long we were in the trails for maybe a mile or so. Once we were out we looped back toward the stadium before finishing around the track.

I did my best to keep a steady pace and to stay in that uncomfortable place. And obviously it worked! The race was over before I knew it!

I also met a few awesome runners out there - truly inspiring people that I can't wait to keep in touch with. One was a running coach and she let me pick her brain and gave me advice for a long time after the race. She is 20 years older than me and ran the race easy in the same time. Sheesh. Humbled.

And seriously I wish it wasn't so far away from me - Van Cortlandt Park is awesome. I would love to just go frolick around out there. Such a nice change of scenery.

So now I am going to kick back and relax. Bask in the glory of my newest running accomplishment and possibly look up some more small local races.

Winning is fun.

8 comments:

  1. Congrats on the fantastic 5K and your medal!!! That's such a great 5K time!

    I've never run in Van Cortlandt Park or Prospect Park, but I've always wanted to. I've heard they're great running spots.

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    1. Thank you so much!

      It was my first time in Van Cortlandt - and I would love to go back and run around.
      Prospect Park is really nice - I'm a fan - there is a 15K there in April that I am really looking forward to, it's fun to switch it up from the usual CP loops.

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  2. Yes, you should be SO proud! Fantastic job, Gianna! It does make the 5k a little more tolerable, doesn't it? :)

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    1. The 5K just rose quite a bit in my book. Might get some love from me in the future :)

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  3. Congrats - that is an awesome time for a 5K, even if the route was slightly short!

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    1. Thank you! And yes I don't want to take away from it. That was super speedy for me :)

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  4. SO COOL! Congrats! (Also I realllly want a trophy now!)

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    1. I might build a shrine around it! Small. Races. Can't say it enough. Others come for fun, I come to compete ;-)

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