Thank you all for the great comments / feedback on the 5k. Runner’s Kitchen really drove home the point with this goodie:
“my college coach always advocated for going out hard. his reasoning? you might die after a mile this time, but next time it might take 2 miles before you crash. eventually you’ll be able to run the whole race FAST. it sort of makes sense”
The above captures where I come out. For the race next on Saturday, I’m not looking for a 6:20 start, but I do plan to go out hard again and see how long I can go.
Timing is everything in life and last night’s CPTC track workout reinforced the need to manage quick pace and deal with the inevitable lactic acid build up during a short race. On tap was what our coach termed after the fact, as “the most challenging outdoor workout this season to date.” Sweet. The plan: 1 x 1k @ 5k pace, 2 x 800m @ 5k pace, 2 x 600m @ 3k pace, 1 x 1k @ 5k pace. Insert a 200m recovery between each and that was it. Two challenges (well three if you count warm, humid weather) with this workout. First, the lead and anchor 1ks were to be run at the same pace, which is always challenging after an interim set of intervals. Second, switching pace from 5k initially to set the benchmark to 3k at a shorter distance back to 5k to complete the 1000m of joy. Results:
| Distance | Time | Pace |
| 1000m | 4:01 | 6:25 |
| 800m | 3:09 | 6:18 |
| 800m | 3:10 | 6:20 |
| 600m | 2:14 | 5:57 |
| 600m | 2:16 | 6:02 |
| 1000m | 3:56 | 6:17 |
Not bad. You could argue the overall pace was aggressive considering the events of the past weekend. :-/ In my best Jack Nicholson voice, “You can’t handle a 6:20 pace!!!” I’m brutally honest with myself and you on performance, how I’m feeling, etc. In other words, as the kids would say, “I don’t front.” Last night was some work. My completely drenched shorts and cap were evidence. Most of the guys ditched the shirt because after even 200m it pointless and just a drag to wear. A combo of the workout itself and adjusting to the warmer conditions wore me out … in a good way. I don’t think I was alone either. I even saw the A team huffing … albeit dashing at a much quicker rate. Still, to hold the 5k pace and even get a bit quicker on the final is a confidence booster. My fitness is slowly rounding into shape.
Scheduled rest day today … thankfully … legs are a bit heavy and the temps are in the 90s. Lots of hydration today and probably some stretching later tonight.