Double run weekend two weekends in a row!
My running schedule has been pretty steady since I first started running. I run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and once on the weekends. This seems to be about what my body can handle as I’ve never really been injured and I’ve been running over 2 years now. For the past 2 weekends, however, I have run on both Saturday AND Sunday.
Weekend 1 – Jan 27 & 28
Last weekend, I met up with Shelley on Saturday instead of Sunday for our normal weekend run at Memorial Park. We ran faster than normal averaging a 12:08 pace and I was a little worried considering I had signed up for a 5k for the next day. On Sunday, I ran a chip-timed 5k hosted by the Houston Wellness Project and I not only PR’d but I also placed 3rd in my age bracket!! Two firsts for one run. I was completely tired out after running 2 days in a row and so I spent most of Sunday just hanging out and elevating my legs whenever I could.
Weekend 2 – Feb 3 & 4
This weekend, I did it all over again but in reverse (5k on Saturday and Memorial Park on Sunday). On Saturday I had my first training run with USA Fit Houston. I am in the 5k/10k program group which is called Stay Fit. The goal of this group is to “become a more efficient runner”. It incorporates hill and speed training in the program. Runners in this group should already be able to run a 5k (walk/jog/run 3 miles) and most have already run a half or full marathon.
Saturday the weather was cold and drizzly. That was fine except I knew that we were running our time trial for USA Fit and I never know what to wear when the weather is less than perfect. I called up Dress My Run on my ipad and so I dressed in a tank top and a Skirt Sports running skirt! I arrived just before the start time and the introductions were all finished by the time I parked and walked over to the meeting point. Monica and David are the coaches for the group and Monica led us in a short warm-up routine in the parking lot before we were told that we’d be running 3/4 of a mile to the starting point of our timed run. I really didn’t see the point in using up all my energy sprinting for 3/4 of a mile, just to then run 3 miles, so I walked/jogged with a couple other women (Elsa and Kimmie) over to the starting point.
When Kimmie, Elsa and I arrived at the starting point, most of the group had already started running. Monica then started off the remaining group members using her watch. Kimmie and Elsa also started running but my TomTom didn’t catch a satellite signal right away so I waited for it. By the time I started running, I was the last person and everyone else was at least a block or more down the street. But my mantra is, “My Race, My Pace” so I didn’t let it bother me. Once I turned the first corner, ahead I already saw some of the runners stopping for a walk break and I figured they were running intervals. I wanted to run the entire 3 miles, so I simply kept a steady pace.
Once I finished the first lap, I had already passed at least 1/5 of the runners and I started passing more on my second lap. I was so worried about being a “slow runner” when I signed up for USA Fit, but now I think that I will be fine. I think my capabilities are about “middle of the pack” so that makes me comfortable. I completed the 3 miles at a respectable 12:25 pace in 37:28 minutes. Sounds good to me! My TomTom says it was my second fastest 5k ever!! Hmmm….
I spent the remainder of Saturday just hanging out at home, cleaning up a bit and relaxing. I was cold and tired when I got home so I decided to just take it easy.
On Sunday I met Shelley at Memorial Park for an early run. The weather was much better! It was a little overcast but around 60 degrees so it was even a little warm. I could tell that my legs were still a bit tired from my Saturday run and I ended up with 2 short walk breaks during our normal once around the park run. The first was because of a stitch in my side that never quite went away and the second was just heavy legs. Even so, we were able to complete the run in just over 35 minutes keeping to a good 12:35 pace. I consider that a win!
I’m also a Tuesday, Thursday and typically Saturday run girl myself. Sometimes though, back to back runs are nice. It’s something different, a way to change things up.
Love your mantra, “my race, my pace.” SO TRUE! Way to rock your 5k!
Thanks Shannon @GirlsGotSole I’m working hard to improve my running but my improvements seem to mirror my pace…slow! 🙂 At least they are in the right direction.