Monday, July 18, 2011

Breaking the Barrier.

When I restarted my running career in 2005, I had a goal of finishing a marathon. I achieved the goal, but during my training I also ran a 5k and did it in 33:17. I used to run cross country in high school and regularly ran 5ks in 25:00. I felt old and slow but I hoped that someday I would break that 30:00 minute barrier again. I still concentrated on the long distances but would still do a 5k here and there. I would get closer, 32, 31 but never under 30! This year I have been trying to work on my speed for my long runs. I felt that I was "phoning it in". I would end a 10 mile run and not be tired. I increased my efforet and my times started to come down. I thought that the magic "30" might be possible this year.

Dave and I decided to do the Antioch Run for Freedom on July 4th, 2011. It was a warm morning and this is a tough course. The course starts out uphill and then has a nice long downhill. The rest is pretty much uphill again. I use the Galloway method for my training runs, but have decided I really don't need to walk as much for a 5k and could run pretty much the whole thing. I ran the first mile in 9:08. Holy Crap! But it did have that big downhill. I stopped and walked for 1 minute at about the 13:00 minute mark. Mile 2 was done in 9:19. I stopped and walked one more minute. I'm starting to hurt, but I really want this. I thought I might make it, but I still had those big hills. I actually powered up them and passed people walking. I felt great! I hit the top of the hill and looked at my watch and saw that I was going to finally do it. I finished it up strong and finished in 29:15!

I did it. I finally broke that 30:00 minute barrier. I know it still isn't speedy, but it felt nice to finally achieve my goal.

Posted by Holly at 2:13 PM
Labels: ,

5 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 19, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    So nice to see someone local on Team AllEars ... I'm just in the next town over from you! I do a lot of these local events, walking them mostly, maybe I'll see you at one!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HollyJuly 19, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Thanks. Let us know the next race you are doing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    I'm looking at doing the Schaumburg Shuffle 5K on Labor Day. May be difficult though, I get home from my Disney Alaskan Cruise a few days beforehand and might not be able to move!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dave A. (socashark)July 22, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    I bet you'll have fun on that cruise. Next local race for Holly is the Rock and Roll Half downtown. We're away Labor Day (covered in an upcoming post).

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 24, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    I did the Inaugural Rock 'n Roll Chicago, which was fun, but the heat in the midwest is getting to be too much for me so I'm starting to look elsewhere for events. I'm chomping at the bit now because I'm having knee surgery in December and while I believe I would be able to finish a half, it just isn't recommended so I'm also looking for shorter races as well.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)