It's 5K Month!

My goal for this summer was to stay local and to run some “smaller” races. By smaller I mean shorter distances like 5K’s and 10K’s.  I haven’t run a timed 5K race in several years because I’ve been marathon training (or I’ve been injured).  I don’t like to run timed 5Ks when I’m marathon training only because I am training for endurance and distance and I am not concentrating on speed, instead I am concentrating on being out on the road longer. 5K’s are of course about speed!


So, for the first time ever,
I’m looking for local 5K’s to do this summer. Boy did I find a handful!  I found one for every weekend in the month of June. I wanted to share my thoughts on some of them here.

One of the 5K’s is one my friend runs every year. He’s asked me to run it with him this year but OMG the hills!!!! If (and that’s a big IF I run this one) the goal will be just to run together with my friend and just get through it.

The second 5k is for Relay for Life. It’s a flat course and you even get a tech shirt but it is not chip timed.  I know I said that I shouldn’t be worried about time but I feel like if I’m going to pay for a race I at least want it to be official!  But it’s for Relay for life which is a good cause, so I might change my mind.

The following week is another Relay for Life 5K right in my parent’s neighborhood.  It’s fairly cheap, you get a t-shirt (not tech) and I’m fairly certain this one is timed.  I know the area and it’s not completely flat but doable. I think this one might go on my list!

The fourth weekend I can not do a race because I committed to driving my Pappy in the Veterans parade. I drove him last year and it rained so it was a little underwhelming but we got to spend some quality time together. I’m hoping this year the sun is out in all its glory!

The following weekend is a Fourth of July 5k! I’ve been wanting to do this one for a few years but we’ve always been out of town. I’m really hoping I can make it this year because I think the route is fairly flat and it ends at the park at my favorite trail.

Okay, so now I’ve found all these 5K races I’ve got to tell you that I feel kind of intimidated. Yes, I know I’ve already run 2 full marathons and I am feeling intimidated by a 5K.  Here’s why.  I admit I am not in the best running shape right now but I’m trying! And although I’m not looking to PR at any of these races, I at least want to maintain my time of what I’ve been able to do in the past. I’m going to keep working at it and we’ll see what happens!  Oh, and all these races start AFTER 9 am so you know its going to be blazing hot by the time the races start.-M

P.S  Today starts the #RunChatHunt Scavenger Hunt with the RunChat. What better way to celebrate Global Running Day.  Let us know if you'll be participating. We'll follow you on Twitter and IG.

41 comments:

  1. Being a fan of the longer distances, 5k's are also a bit of a challenge for me. I hate being so out of breath and struggling for 20 something minutes....it's really not fun. However, 5k's are a great opportunity to work on speed so you can improve at longer distances. It sounds like you have some great options for races this summer.

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    1. I am surprised at how many 5K's are offered this summer!

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  2. What a great idea! I haven't run a 5k in years, altho last year Becky had me doing 5ks for speed work. After running my 10k this past weekend the thing I would dread the most is running that hard for the distance and really struggling at the end. Like Pam said, it's a great way to work on speed!

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  3. I've actually never done a 5k race. It sounds kind of pathetic, but I'm afraid I'm just not good enough to do one. I am NOT fast at all, which is fine for a half but not so much a 5k.

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  4. I also find 5ks challenging and intimidating. I'm by no means a speedy runner, and I feel like 5ks are designed with the speedy runner in mind. However, I still like to challenge myself to 5ks, and I'm glad to hear that you're doing the same. Here's to your month of 5ks!

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    1. Thank you Kathryn! I'm hoping it will be good practice!

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  5. I totally understand about the 5K. I'm more of a distance gal and running 5Ks and 10Ks really push me. But I need to take a break from distance, so I'm looking at some local races this summer as well. I have a few to choose from. Good luck this month!

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    1. I wanted to take a break from training for long distances and training for a 5K is fairly easy so that's why I picked it. It should be fun!

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  6. OOh!!! a month of 5Ks sounds like a lot of fun!! I'm looking forward to your updates on your 5K month!

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    1. I don't anticipate doing all of them but I will keep ya'll updated!

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  7. It does sound like they'll all be hot if they're starting later in the morning. It's really hard to run 5k's for time in the Summer for me. Good luck with the ones you choose!

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  8. I'm doing a 5k next weekend & looking forward to a smaller race - but haven't ran since my half marathon so I too am a little intimidated. But its all about fun for me :)

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    1. For sure! I think 5Ks are more about being social and supporting a cause!

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  9. I love summer 5K's! I do a summer series every year and my first one is this Saturday! I think it is a fun way to spend the summer :) PS mine start at 7 am :)

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  10. My vote is for one of the relay for life races! :) I love that you get to drive your pappy in the veterans parade, too!

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  11. I do want to work on my time this fall, and I think a 5k is a good goal to aim for. The 5k has been a bit of a challenge since I've done them while training for longer distances. That means I need to find a plan that has speedwork.

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    1. Yea, I should probably work on speed work if I'm going to do 5k's but I just enjoy running at a good pace and don't think summer is the time to push the pace. Maybe this fall.

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  12. I'm doing the #RunChatHunt! Mostly on twitter, some on instagram (Lizzard214 on both). I need to do some 5ks. I think I'm faster than I was last year and wouldn't mind going for a PR, but during the summer it's so hard with the heat. But I would like some shorter races as fun runs to enjoy myself!

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    1. I've been doing so many long distance races so that is exactly the reason I wanted to do some 5K's, for fun and enjoyment without having to worry about all the training!

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  13. I think you'll do great at the 5K races - usually there are as many new/slow runners as there are speedier runners, so you won't stand out as not fast. Plus, you won't be super exhausted at the end, which makes for more fun post-race!

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    1. Good point. I hope there are a lot of walkers too....lol

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  14. I don't usually like 5k's but this spring I've already done a few fun ones and was surprised that I did better than I thought

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  15. 5K's are definitely my nemesis, so I'd be nervous running so many on back-to-back weekends, but I'm sure you will do great!! It always feels good to have races on the calendar.

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    1. I won't be running all of them but I think I have it narrowed down to the ones I want to do.

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  16. I often hear people say that 5km is a challenge for them as they prefer longer distances, however it's a challenge for me as I am still working my way up to it haha

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  17. 5Ks intimidate me too! I haven't run one for time since Dec. 2014! I PR'd at that one and haven't felt like I could top that PR since then so I've kind of avoided it. This December I hope to go back and run that same race again and eek out another PR but we'll see!

    9AM or later starts for 5Ks in the summer is so late! I am sweating just thinking about it! It sounds like you really want to do the July 4th one though so the excitement will carry you through to the finish line with your PR!

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  18. I am also intimidated by 5ks! And yes if I am training/paying for a race I would definitely want an official time. I would prefer that over even the nicest tech shirt.

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  19. 5k's are in abundance here too right now and you can find one pretty much every weekend in a 90 mile radius. They are my least favorite but are great to work on my speed which I do not have.
    I so get you on the chip timing too, but it is for a great cause.
    How very cool you get to drive Pappy in the Veterans Parade. Please give him my thanks for his service.
    OOOOOH I wanted to do the #runchathunt last year, I'm going now to check it out! Thanks for that reminder!

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  20. You are inspiring me to do more 5Ks! So great for speed work for me!

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  21. There is something intimidating about 5ks even though you have full marathons under your belt. For me, 3.1 miles is such a short distance that you have to basically sprint the whole thing! Long distance sprinting makes my lungs hurt just thinking about it... Bleh!!!

    I have another full marathon on the calendar this fall but I might sneak in a summer 5k. You have inspired me 😊
    Amy @ http://www.livinglifetruth.com/

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  22. I am TOTALLY intimidated by 5Ks. I find them MUCH harder than longer races like half marathons. I think it's a lot easier to run at a moderate pace for an extended period of time (i.e. at half marathons) versus running at high-speed for a very short distance (i.e. at 5Ks). There is so little room for error at 5Ks, too! So if I had the choice between the two distances, I prefer the half marathon - as funny as that might sound to others!

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  23. I love that you're adding a bunch of 5ks to your schedule this summer! It's a great way to work on speed and since you are doing several in a row I bet you'll find you get faster during each, especially as you get used to the shorter distance. Best of luck!

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  24. 5ks aren't really my thing as an endurance athlete, but I can see the appeal. You will have so much fun! I think they can be scary if you really race them, but if nothing else it can be a fun run and a great way to boost your confidence. I think the best part of shorter races is you get done quicker and can enjoy the rest of your day more easily. Good luck!

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  25. I am all about 5 and 10k races right now, too. It's weird that as a marathoner we still can feel intimidated by short distances, but they're a totally different beast. And they can be very humbling if you get cocky and forget to train for them! I'm excited for you to run all these races...I love 5k recaps!

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  26. Ooo the blazing heat would be the hardest part for me! I hope you can meet your time goals and have a positive experience out there!

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