Tomm May 5k - Run

This was awesome. I knew I was in shape to run a PR 5K this fall, but I didn't think this would be the one, since I haven't kept up a particularly rigorous workout regimen lately - in fact, this was only my third workout of the week and the second one was a casual bike ride. I warmed up well, though, and went out pretty hard. Jeff stayed just behind me and paced me by calling out the splits on his iPhone. I knew I had to stay under 9:00/mile pace in order to get a PR - I assumed I'd die a little during the third mile. We started out at a 8:30 pace and gradually slowed to around an 8:50 pace. I felt like it was at the top of what I could maintain while keeping my breathing and heart rate in control, but still manageable. Just around the second mile marker, though, everything tightened up a bit and it got harder to run. I was still able to push through and even increase speed slightly, but my breathing gradually got out of control. When we turned down the hill for the last third of a mile, I felt like I was having trouble keeping myself from wheezing (that same kind of wheeze that plagued the end of my runs last summer). By the last tenth of a mile, the wheeze was not just audible but really loud. I turned the corner toward the finish chute and absolutely cranked it (my running gait was suddenly gazelle-like) to sprint through the finish. Afterward, I had to walk around for several minutes before my throat relaxed and the wheeze wasn't audible (took a good three or four minutes before it was gone). We got some food and water then walked around the site for fifteen or twenty minutes until awards happened to cool down. I felt like I needed a lot of cool down time. Physically, I felt pretty good after the finish - and the sprint felt good as well - I was just concerned about the breathing issues.

Nothing. It went beautifully. I just need to start training at closer to that race pace, at least occasionally. A heart rate monitor would help with that.

Walked around for fifteen or twenty minutes. Ate some David Bradley chocolate (!), a few munchkins, and half a bagel with cream cheese. Didn't drink enough water (and only one water station on the course, so possibly under-hydrated by the finish).

My lower back was really bothering me that afternoon and over the next few days. At my weekly chiropractor appointment, Dr. Aryn said that I hyperextended it, probably from leaning back slightly while pushing to run so hard. He said I need to focus on keeping my hips under me while sprinting to prevent this.


Training volume has decreased and I don't think even my fast running pace is normally this fast. But it's a lifetime PR, so this is pretty nit picky.


This was a well-run local race with a great community feel. The atmosphere after the race was picnic-like, so I didn't mind hanging around waiting for awards and raffles. I wish I'd won one of those pie raffles, though!