Excited, nervous, excited.
I’m excited because I haven’t raced a 5k since January (running one sick in May doesn’t count), and I’ve been training hard so there’s a chance it’ll be a PR.
Nervous, because there’s a chance because I’m training so hard and didn’t taper for this 5k that it WON’T be even close to a PR. Which is fine, but it’d be really neat if it were. I’m not that frustrated by the idea that it won’t be a PR, more concerned that if it isn’t a PR, it’ll be because it was not an enjoyable race, either.
I’m also VERY excited because Greg is going to push the boys in the jogging stroller and run next to me! He can maintain a much faster pace than I can even when pushing the stroller, so I can run my best and he and the boys can still stick with me.
The course for this 5k is very close to one I’ve run before for a similar race, the Savage Memorial 5k. It starts downhill, flattens out for a bit, and then ends with a brutal mile-long uphill. It’s a difficult finish for anyone pushing their pace limit, but it is BRUTAL when you’re pushing the double jogging stroller.
Here’s some pictures of me racing it with the kids a year and a half ago:
Anyway, I’m really excited to run up that hill this year with stronger legs AND NO DOUBLE STROLLER. Even better is knowing that as fast as I run it, Greg has to run it pushing 70 lbs of preschooler. So the harder I work, the harder I make him work. It’s like donating to charity when someone’s matching your contribution.
In a sick sort of way, I’m hoping to dig deep going up that hill and make him work for it. I know he’s a strong runner. I know he’s a fast runner. I also know that pushing 70 lbs of kids up that hill is not going to be easy for him if I give it my all. I want to make my super speedy husband break a sweat. If I can make his calves hurt, that’ll be the icing on the cake.
I don’t even feel guilty about this because he’s been wandering around the house signing about how this should be a PR for me. No pressure there. Because everyone running 20-30 mile weeks for the first time is in PR shape. Clearly.
He’s running for an hour beforehand to get his half marathon training miles in, so he’ll be tired. This could actually be the great equalizer. We could work equally hard if he’s tired AND pushing the kids in the stroller. That’s kind of a fun thought.
Anyway – it’s a great race for a good cause, my wonderful friend Julie will be there supporting her friends who started Abby’s Army to raise money for Rett’s Syndrome Research, and no matter what… I will make it 3.1 miles and contribute to an excellent cause.
That’s a win no matter when we cross the finish line 🙂
Good luck Kelly! I just drove by the college and it looked very festive!
Thanks Laura!
Whatever your time was, you looked strong at the finish! I have a feeling you’re going to be happy with the result.
My husband ran a 5k this morning, looked at his watch at the finish, got excited at the time and then realized the course was short by almost a tenth. Nothing more frustrating than that!
Thanks! I ran a solid race, and while not a PR it was a steady effort and I feel good about it 🙂