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.