General Discussion Race Reports! » Seal Beach 5K Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply

Seal Beach 5K - Run5k


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Seal Beach, California
United States
60F / 16C
Overcast
Total Time = 40m 45s
Overall Rank = 1247/1678
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 58/86
Pre-race routine:

Got up at 5:45 am and got dressed for the race. Fortunately, I had the foresight to lay everything out last night so I didn't have to think this morning. Fed Casper, who appeared even less awake than me -- when I set down his dish, he just kind of looked up at me with this "dude, wtf?" expression. Yeah, I know... that's what all this fitness crap will do to you old boy, stop you from getting to sleep in properly on the weekends. Well, that, and empty your bank account...

Stopped by Starbucks, which unbelievably had three or four customers already. Must've been other athletes. Surely no one *chooses* to get up at 6 am on a weekend, do they?!
Event warmup:

The drive to Seal Beach was simple. Parked on First Street about half a mile from the start line. Walked over to registration and picked up my t-shirt and packet. Didn't see any of the gang, so I headed back to the car to drop stuff off. Though it was still a bit nippy, I could tell it would warm up, so I opted to forego the fleece pullover. (I was going to say "forewent" but I'm not sure that's actually a word. ;) )

Walked and jogged back to the start area and waited for the others to arrive. Matt, Sherri, Kelly, Mike, and Val all showed up around the same time and we went over to the start line. Matt, Kelly, and Mike lined up to do the 10K, and Sherri and Val were walking, so I ended up in the middle of the pack somewhere. Man, it was crowded. 4,000 people supposedly.
Run
  • 40m 45s
  • 3.1 miles
  • 13m 09s  min/mile
Comments:

The gun went off but it took several minutes before the pack started to move around me, of course. This time I remembered to push the start button on my Garmin right as I stepped on the pad. Only took me a year to get that figured out, LOL!

I didn't have a specific plan for my run/walk ratio, just played it by ear. Looking at my data, it appears I mostly ran for 1.5 to 2 minutes followed by about 2 minutes of walking. But I definitely pushed my pace faster than I had before, both while running and walking.

In the back of my mind I was hoping to hit 40 minutes, though I figured it was unlikely. Well, imagie my surprise and delight when I crossed the finish at 40:45! I was pumped! Sure, it's not going to win me any medals, LOL, but it's a huge improvement for me. (Last year my time was 52:10...) I also know that I did have something left in the tank. If I had really pushed, I'm certain I could've been into the 30's. But I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Every time I get out there I'm learning more about what my limits are, and since I'm losing weight and increasing fitness, those limits keep changing too!
What would you do differently?:

Really, nothing. I was very relaxed and felt great for this race. Despite the early morning, I had slept pretty well so I was adequately rested. I didn't eat or drink too much or too little. I pushed hard and accomplished a PR, what more can I ask?!!
Post race
Warm down:

No warm down to speak of. Just waited for the volunteer to cut off my timing chip, and headed back to the finish line to watch for the others. Missed Kelly and Mike, but shouted out to Matt, and Sherri and Val as they came in. We stood around yakking for awhile, then decided we'd all drive over to Ruby's for breakfast, near Mike and Val's house.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Well, as always, my weight is the biggest limiter. But my goal is still there -- to lose all the extra pounds. Every pound I lose will make it that much easier to swim, bike, and run faster.

Event comments:

Like last year, the water at the single drink station was barely drinkable. Seriously, it tasted like it came right out of a toilet or something. Next year, if I do this one again, I'm going to bring along my own water bottle!




Last updated: 2008-04-05 12:00 AM
Running
00:40:45 | 03.1 miles | 13m 09s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/86
Overall: 0/1678
Performance: Good
Course: The course was simple: down First Street, then Ocean along the beach, then down and back a little on Seal Beach Blvd, then Electric and Marina Drive back to First Street, and around the corner and halfway down Ocean again to the finish.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

{postbutton}
2008-04-05 6:07 PM

User image

Pro
3932
2000100050010010010010025
Irvine, California
Subject: Seal Beach 5K


2008-04-05 6:20 PM
in reply to: #1317990

User image

Regular
76
252525
So. Cal.
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K
Grats on a great race Keith, keep plugging away at your goals, they'll fall.
2008-04-05 6:48 PM
in reply to: #1317990

User image

Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K

GREAT job Keith!! 10+ minute improvement is awesome!

2008-04-05 6:58 PM
in reply to: #1317990

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-04-05 7:34 PM
in reply to: #1317990

Champion
5345
500010010010025
Carlsbad, California
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K

Great job out ther Keith

~10 minute PB Time is huge in a 5k. sounds like you managed the course well and came up with a great result.

I agree that your more than capable of getting into the 30s. (Probably low 30s) The trick is figuring out a race strategy that works for you. I bet if you strung a few of these races together over a short period of time you would be really suprised.

Nicely done

2008-04-05 8:10 PM
in reply to: #1317990

Pro
3932
2000100050010010010010025
Irvine, California
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K

Thanks you guys!  It was definitely a good race for me, and showed me I can push even harder next time.

What's funny is I just checked the race results on Prime Time's website, and they list my time as 39:47, which I'm having trouble understanding.  I know I stepped on the mats properly, and I know I pushed the button on my Garmin right on the mats, but my Garmin showed 40:45, so almost a minute difference.  I have no reason to doubt my Garmin, though, so I'm sticking with its time...



2008-04-06 12:23 PM
in reply to: #1317990

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.

Edited by mixie 2008-04-06 12:25 PM
2008-04-06 1:01 PM
in reply to: #1317990

Expert
1112
1000100
I'm a Tennessee girl living in SoCal.
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K
Great race, Keith! WTG on such an improvement over last year's race. I never can seem to get my watch time and chip time to match up exactly either. Like Mixie, I say go with the chip time because that's your official race time. Well done!!
2008-04-07 11:21 AM
in reply to: #1317990

Expert
709
500100100
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K
Congrats on the PR Keith! A 10 minute improvement is huge. Just think of what you'll post next year! Keep it up.
2008-04-07 1:45 PM
in reply to: #1317990

Member
33
25
Corona, CA
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K
Grats on the PR man!
2008-04-07 3:20 PM
in reply to: #1317990

Champion
7546
5000200050025
Santa Cruz, California
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K

Hey Keith...great job! what a great improvement for you! kiu! sounds like you had a fun time, too!

Hey, you aren't related to the Ludwigs who used to live in Memorial in  Houston are you....Marilyn and Val? just curious.....they are our relatives! so wanted to know if we may be related in some way or another! great race!!!



2008-04-08 3:42 AM
in reply to: #1317990

Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K

Keith--you're my hero. You get out there and DO it--and remember to feed your pet beforehand.

Congratulations on the fitness and fantastic improvement from last year.

2008-04-13 12:24 AM
in reply to: #1317990

Extreme Veteran
459
1001001001002525
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K
Awesome Run! Great job
2008-04-17 3:20 PM
in reply to: #1317990

Master
1281
1000100100252525
Long Beach, CA
Subject: RE: Seal Beach 5K

Okay, I'm in the slow group lately. I just got around to reading your report, Keith! Great job on the time improvement. I haven't done a 5K that fast yet. That's all really close to where I live and if I hadn't spent 13 hours at Disneyland the day before, I'd have been there with you!

Great job! Great report! You rock!!!

General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » Seal Beach 5K Rss Feed