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So March was a monster mileage month for me (210 miles) and April was a huge racing month for me (okay, technically the ES20 was at the end of March and Providence was the beginning of May, but over the course of about 5 week I raced 2 marathons and a 20-miler). My legs are feeling it.
I’m a little tired.
It’s time to downsize. I have a half-marathon scheduled at the end of the month, and then nothing on the calender until October, when I plan to make another run at qualifying for Boston.
That said, I am hooked on this racing thing.
Love it.
Love!
It!
But I can’t keep doing half’s and full’s every month – my legs at some point will protest or simply fall off.
So I’m thinking that along with training toward an October marathon, this is going to be the summer of the 5K. I haven’t run a 5K race yet. Ever. I have no idea what to expect from them, but I do know that they are the most commonly run road race out there. That being the case, you may see a, um, ahem, run of 5K race reports over the summer.
The 5K though is a little scary to me.
Scary?
Well, yeah.
My biggest fear of the 5K is the distance.
The Distance?
Yup, the distance. I am a relatively slow starter. Whether it’s age or simply just how I’m built, in the races I have run, it usually takes me a two or three miles to get into a groove. The problem with that, of course, is if it takes me 3 miles to get in a groove in a 5K, I’ll only have 0.1 miles left in the race.
I know I can cover the distance. After running several marathons and half’s, the race may be over before it even feels like it’s started. The question is can I kick it into 5th gear from the very start?
Part of the reason I’m trying my hand at 5K’s this summer is the same reason why, in the end, I did 2 marathons in 2 weeks – to see if I can do it.
Very often, that’s what these races, whether they be 5K’s or marathons, are all about. Very few of us have any hopes of winning a race outright. But that is not why we run. We are not running against our competitors. No, we are running against ourselves – to see what we are indeed capable of.
I’m looking forward to finding out.
***In the meantime, if any of you have suggestions for 5K’s that you really enjoyed in the Boston or New York City areas, please let me know.
Run Luau Run 
I’m with you! The Colonial Road Runners have a ‘Grand Prix’ of races. 1 every month. Mostly 5k’s. I’m doing the rest through the end of the year. Plus it feeds my competitive side. Awards at the Annual Banquet. Good luck with your races! It’ll be fun… …and best of luck in October.
Good Luck! I really enjoy switching up my racing alternating between 5K, 10K and half (no go at the full yet- not quite there!). Especially, when I’ve had a string of 10 K or a recent half, the 5 k is especially nice. I am also a bit of a slow starter (though I hope the age of 26 is not the reason) but after a couple of 5Ks I’ve been able to kick it quicker. It’s really a mental game 🙂
Nice change of pace, Matt! 5Ks are fun in the summer… when you don’t want to run more than 3 miles in the heat anyway. 🙂 I hear what you’re saying though. I have a tough time with with the shorter distance because, like you, I start slow. Based on my half marathon time, I should be much faster in the 5K. But I’m not! I wish you lots of luck and I’m sure you will find great success in the 5K! They are a lot of fun. You should try to get into some of BA Events summer race series if they aren’t sold out… Right on the river and great BBQ at the end. Think they may be 4 milers.
Great plan, Luau. Have fun!
Matt,
If you are a slow starter, the key to the 5K is to do a lengthy warm up, not too far before the race, including some strides. That should get your heart rate up and legs loose and given your marathon fitness and experience, it shouldn’t fatigue you.
Thanks Greg. I will definitely try that before my first 5K…
I was going to say what Greg just said : )
Great race report!!
You doing Bay State? (I forgot what your fall marathon is). I have already registered for Smuttynose.
it’s time to venture into the world of speed training! getting good speed workouts in will help with the slow starting issues. also greg said it best with the warmup stuff. i used to be a slow starter and i would run a couple of miles for warmup before a 5k start. get yourself warm and loose and if you’ve added the speed, you will fire out of the gates with no problems