25:42!!

Written by on in Tidbits and Treats

I may be completely soaked and struggling to type right now (frozen fingers), but I couldn’t be happier! Today was the Special Olympics Spring 5k. If you’ve been reading the blog long enough, you may remember that back in November, I ran the fall 5k with Bobby. My goal time was to get under 26:00, but I ended up finishing in 26:25. I was slightly disappointed, but overall very happy with that.

My goal for this 5k was exactly the same as it was in the fall, and this time, I’m proud to say that I achieved what I set out to do. I finished in 25:42! According to Cool Running, that means my average pace was 8:16!!

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In reality, the race was run a little bit differently than the average pace. I used Gmaps Pedometer and my HRM to calculate my rough pace for each mile.

Mile 1: 9:00 – I wasn’t really sure of myself during the first mile. Many of you probably recognize that I’m not really a full-time runner. It’s more or less something I like to do as exercise for enjoyment once a week (or so), and I like signing up for 5k races because they are an achievable distance for me and give me more motivation to improve my pace. I decided to take it easy for the first mile and see how my energy levels were at the end of it. Turns out, I felt amazing!

Mile 2: 8:15 – It was at this point that I decided I was going to pick up my pace and go almost as fast as I could. This worked well for the first 1/4 mile or so, but then I started to get a side ache and had to tell Bobby I needed to slow it up slightly. Even though we slowed down, we were still going much faster than we had the first mile, and by the time we reached the 2-mile mark, my ache was gone. Thank goodness, because whenever I get an ache I tend to freak out and make the situation worse 🙂 This time, I just tried to breathe and “run it out” – not letting myself get worked up about it was key.

Mile 3: 7:37! – Based on the fact that we ran the last 3.1-mile leg of the race in about 8:30, it would appear that my pace was substantially faster! Trust me, I could tell – it took everything in me not to just stop and collapse to the ground. This is where serious training would help 😉 My side ache came back, my legs felt like Jello. But I looked at my watch and then looked at Bobby and asked him to give me a “pep talk” to take my mind off the pain. He was a really great motivator, and combined with the fact that I knew I was going faster than I ever have in my life, I pushed the limit. When we crossed the finish line, I couldn’t have been more excited. Bobby looked at me and said, “you’re pretty happy about this, aren’t you?” Yeah, I’d say pretty happy is an understatement!

Whew! I can see now why the hardcore runners in the blog world (those are just a few – you are all my inspirations!) love to go back and recount every moment of their race.

As far as eating goes, I think my strategy worked out pretty well. Even though I had a side ache, I had a lot more energy than I usually do on my runs! Roughly an hour before the race started, I had:

  • 1 Ezekiel English muffin topped with 1 tbsp. whipped butter
  • 1 mug of Coffee Cocoa

After the race, I ate 1/2 of a cinnamon raisin bagel from Einstein Bros.

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It was an amazing feeling, and I could never have done it without Bobby 🙂 Here we are in our sweaty, soaking post-run glory.

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Phew! Now I am tired! But I’m also more confident than ever that running is something I want to start incorporating more of into my life. The feeling I get after I complete one of these races is incomparable to the feeling after an elliptical workout at the gym 😉 I’m so glad that I came to this conclusion when the weather finally turns nice! With the exception of today’s rain and wind, of course.

I’ll be back soon with some eats. Today is my catch-up day in all aspects of my life. I better get to it!

Still on runner’s high,

bendersignature4

81 Comments

  2. Congrats on your awesome success! That is a hugeeee accomplishment and as someone who is currently trying to get into running and start running 5Ks you’re an inspiration! Enjoy the rest of your day and warm up!

  5. Jenn!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am for you right now! Way to run so fast and break your previous time! I am very impressed!

    Now go reward yourself with some yummy treats….that is the reason I run after all 🙂

  6. Holy heck, you did an amazing job on that 5K! What a speedy finishing time!! And it’s fantastic that you have someone like Bobby to rely on. 🙂

  9. Wow Congrats Jenn!!! Such an accomplishment, and I also think it’s pretty great that you had Bobby with you the whole way to help with motivation and “pep talks”….You’re my hero! 😉

  14. congrats on the great time Jenn!! I love how you recounted every mile back to us. You did exactly what you were supposed to do–increase your speed gradually–so well.

    My race is coming up soon and to be honest, I haven’t been running that often. I’ve been biking and walking a lot more. I used to run all the time for the sole reason of achieving that Runner’s High (ecstasy) but just can’t get back into the habit.

    Bobby’s so cool to run with you the entire way! Your excitement is getting to me. 🙂

  16. congratulations! gosh i adore how sweet and encouraging bobby is.. yaaay! and i can’t express how proud and happy i am for you for your run!

  17. that’s an AMAZING time!! congrats 😀
    sounds like so much fun– enjoy the rest of your day!
    it’s almost az time! YEAHHHHHH!
    <3

  20. I know how you feel about getting pumped to run more. I went to a running store yesterday, and even that made me want to sign up for a 1/2 marathon (then I had to remind myself: baby steps!). Just being around other runners, you get excited to go out and do what they do 🙂

    GREAT JOB on your race! That’s so awesome.

  25. Yayyy!!!! What a great Race Jenn!!! You did such a great job and i’m so glad that everything went well, along w/ the side ache going away!!!

  26. AW! You totally rock! Congrats- super happy for you. You look adorable after running and that is hard to pull off 😉 Great job.

  27. Oh my goodness, CONGRATULATIONS!! Look at you, little miss runner! That’s incredible!

    Hope the runner’s high fuels you through all your work today 🙂

  34. Nice job JENN!!!! I don’t think I could run a 7:32 min/mile if Voldemort was behind me.

    Sad thing is, I had to google for that joke.

  38. Congrats Jen!!!! That is such a great time, especially the last mile!!! That bagel must have been the perfect food to re-fuel with!! Looks delicious!!! Enjoy the rest of the day on your runner’s high! 🙂

  40. Jenn. I’m so happy for you and it’s totally awesome that you beat your goal and set a PR!

    Hooray for getting into running road races. I started about 2 years ago and I really love it. And it’s quite funny because I was a girl who hated running in high school!

  42. That’s so fast Jenn! GOod for you! I’m really excited for you! And what cute pictures of you and the Diesel. Yay!

  44. You rock Jenn! That is an amazing time!! I love how enthused you are and how supportive Bobby is 🙂 Congratulations!

  47. CONGRATS, GIRL! Way to finish strong:)

    I ran in the rain for my first race too. I am mildly obsessed with racing now–I love every minute of it!

  50. Awesome! I loved reading the play-by-play with each mile 😉 I’m wishing I would have done a 5k before I do this 10k next month, but it’s good to read recounts like this so I kind of know what to expect! I think it’s wise that you took your first mile “slow” (I don’t consider it slow necessarily but slow for you is awesome!), to get into it. You should be so proud of your time (and just of yourself for doing it!)!

  51. go BENDER go!!

    loved reading the blow by blow account.
    does that mean I may race someday? eh, probably not 🙂

    I shall continue living vicariously.

  54. CONGRATS!!! That is an AWESOME TIME!! and great stats! I tend to run my fastes the last mile of races too.

    And I know I have said it before, but kudos on your man Bobby. He is pretty sexy all sweaty after the race. lol 😉 You guys are such an adorable couple.

  60. WELL DONE!!! races are so much fun! i did a 4 miler this weekend in central park as prep for next weekend’s half marathon, and now im more excited AND more nervous for next weekend!! eeek!

    anyways, enjoy the post-race high, because those endorphins are my FAVORITE!!!

  65. Congratulations!!! I am glad the run went so well for you. I have wanted to try a 5k for a long time now. I may just have to sign myself up for one now… You are inspiration to some of us too 🙂

  69. SO AMAZING! I totally covet the just-finished-a-race post-run feeling, but I’m so not a runner. Maybe that’s just because I don’t run and the thought of starting (seriously) intimidates me. I guess I’ll always be a dancer at heart, but I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if I loved running, since I read so many bloggers’ raves about it!

  74. I LOVE the bowl – so cute! I bet it makes you happy each time you use it. Great job at meeting your running goal – that is always such an amazing feeling.

    Great Survey – so fun!

    Be sure to check out my Annie’s Naturals Dressing Go Green Giveaway to score some awesome dressing to go on your Morning Star Salad 🙂 You have until tomorrow to enter.

  78. Hey Jenn – I know I’m late at congratulating you, but way to go! I’m also trying to add more running to my workouts. I just found your blog and can’t wait to read more.

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