Saturday, May 24, 2008

ARR Summer Series #1 ~ Race Report

I didn't head out this morning with too many high hopes ~ after all, I haven't exactly been the model running student as of late ~ but the prospect of great weather and great company were the two things that made me get out of bed this morning for the first race of the Arizona Roadracers Summer 5K Series.

I got up ~ ate ~ drank coffee ~ s t r e t c h e d like crazy ~ picked up Lisa at 6:30 (notably the first time ever I've actually picked her up for a race when it was light outside) ~ headed out to Papago Park, just in time to meet up with Eileen in the parking lot. Plenty more fun awaited when we met up with Eric and Chad ....and before we knew it, we were all off and running.

Mile 1 ~ 11:15
This was a nice, strong mile for me. I was surprised as all heck at how good I felt after not having stepped foot in my running shoes for over a week. I ran with Eileen, and we kept a great pace. No walking here ;)

Mile 2 ~ 11:36
Even with a quick walk break at the mile 1 mark, Mile 2 pulled down a great pace for me. We ran continuously ~ even hung with Chad and Eric for some and exchanged some running banter. Somewhere around the mile 2 mark, I was wearing down. The fatigue was definitely setting in and I was starting to drag. I bid farewell to Eileen, Eric and Chad and took myself a walk break.

Mile 3 ~ 11:56
Even with a lot of walk breaks, I proud of this pace. Anything sub-12 is nothing short of a major miracle for me. I ran a good pace, and walked when I needed ~ or wanted ~ to. Today was about the sheer enjoyment of running.

The final .1 mile was serious olympic running, my friends ~ 8:59 pace. Okay, so it was a tenth of a mile ~ but you just gotta love it!

Who knew when I got up this morning that this crazy little run would end up being a PR for me? I sure didn't. Now granted, I have a lot of wiggle room in my 5K stats ~ my best time ever was 38 minutes and some change ~ and that was a year and a half ago. I'll say it again ~ I'm really not a fan of the 5k distance.

But today may have swayed me a bit ~ deep down inside I feel this little challenge tugging at me to really work at this distance. I loooooooooove a sub-12 race ~ at ANY distance ~ and today was no different!!

So meet your newest (Arizona) PR setters for the day:


You know it's a great day when all your running buddies set a new PR! Congrats Lisa and Eileen on a FANTABULOUS race!!!

Summer 5K Series - Race #1: 35:29
Average Pace: 11:31

26 comments:

E said...

Today was so much fun!!! I'm thinking like you now...maybe we should run more 5Ks!

J~Mom said...

Awesome Possum!! You totally rocked it today!! WOOHOO!! Speedwork here we come...

Wes said...

I don't care if its 10 feet! Finishing strong is finishing STRONG! Well done, Possum :-)

Viv said...

Way to finish strong and not just finish strong run the whole thing STRONG!! Awesome PR for you and all the AZ home slices!! Congratulations :-)

Nat said...

Woohoo.... glad you had a great run. :)

Nancy said...

AWESoME!! I know how you feel about sub 12. I'm the same way. And I'm not much of a fan of 5ks either. :D

Nice work though. And Congrats to all the ladies!!

Steve Stenzel said...

Nice job!! And way to be consistent!!!

Kim said...

Congrats on the awesome run!!! :)

Jeff said...

Glad to see you back out on the run!

Bev said...

Congrats! What a fun day. See what a little more running experience will do. The longer you do it the better you get.

Laura said...

Congratulations! Are you participating in the Shave Your 5K? If so, looks like I need to get my butt in gear!

Dan Seifring aka "OBRATS" said...

Way to get out there after the break. Nice Race.

Unknown said...

Hey! Great job on the PR!!!

Marcy said...

Karen that is AWESOME!!! Sweet, sweet, sweet job chica! And not only that but a triple PR?!? You ladies rock!

IronWaddler said...

How awesome.

Nitmos said...

PR's are always wonderful. Congratulations!

Lily on the Road said...

Good job on your run! Way to GO!!

I agree with Bev, just keep up the GREAT running.

Thanks too for the Congrats, I really appreciate it!!!

;^)

Laura N said...

GREAT JOB! Yay YOU!!!

The 311 Boys Mom said...

GREAT JOB!!

My friend had the surgury done, & it all stopped took liek 4 or 5 months I think. . .so hopefully it will.. I get the same effect----much lighter flo---from BC pills & since neither of us are 'fixed'; I need them anyway.

Unknown said...

It was great to see you at the race and you did an awesome job! I hope we get to see you at the other ARR Summer Series races.

teacherwoman said...

Nice job! Thanks for the comment on my blog... I am sure you will be "seeing" me around! :)

Unknown said...

Good job on setting a PR!!

Michelle said...

Way to go on that PR!!!!

Anonymous said...

I have a lot of respect for those that can run distance races. It is the ultimate test of endurance and heart.

Mendy said...

Congrats on your PR! Especially, considering you weren't even thinking of one. Wow!!!

Pat said...

Congrats on your new PR. That's fantastic. Maybe, I'll pick up this sport? just kiddin'. I plan to do a run tonight.