FLRC Winter Chill 5k Series: Race Recap

Keeping with the goal of working on my speed, I challenged myself to another 5k road race on Sunday.

First, I have to rewind a little and share that last week I dealt with a lot of glute/hip/lower back pain.  I figured the pain must be due to some sort of form imbalance or mechanics issue.  Hoping to clear the issue up, I went to the chiropractor, got a deep tissue massage, and took a few days completely off from running.   I also spent a lot of time foam rolling and using my Trigger Point Massage Ball.

Okay, back to the race!  I had planned to run the Finger Lakes Runners Club’s Winter Chill 5k Series a while ago.  There are four races in the series; three are on the roads/paved paths and the fourth is on an indoor track.  As a bonus this series uses the entry fee as your payment towards joining the Finger Lakes Runners Club.  A great way to get runners together to run!

When I first got to the race, there were four of us registered to run.  What?!  However, as it got closer to race time, 42 ended up being registered.  Small, but I figured it would still serve well as a way to get in a good speed workout.

What a beautiful day it was for a 5k!  It was 55 degrees with party sunny skis (our snow is all gone for now).  Unfortunately it was a little windy and being near the water made it feel REALLY windy.

The course would take us along the Cass Park Waterfront Trail in Ithaca, New York.

We’ll start by saying, this wasn’t my best 5k showing.  I started out way too fast, around 6:15 pace.  I think it’s easy to get sucked into a faster pace when you start right next to the top runners.  Anyway, my first mile was around 7:00, but then the wind got me during mile 2.  At the half way point, we had to make a really sharp turn around a cone, which really slowed my momentum.  Mile 2 was an embarrassing 7:40 pace.  I tried to get myself back together for mile 3, ending up with a 7:30 pace mile and 7:08 pace for the last .10.  My Garmin read 23:05 for my finishing time.  I was 4th female and 14th overall.  My husband, who had not planned on running the race initially, ended up winning in 17:30.

My time was definitely way off from my goal pace and time, but it was a little reassuring when my speedy husband and others who ran the ran said their times were slower by at least a minute due to the winds.  Or they were just really good at trying to make me feel better

My goal of working on my speed was met.  If I had faced those winds running that hard alone…it would have been much easier “justify” slowing down.  Instead, with other runners suffering along with me, I kept at it.  I was also able to meet some other great local runners.  Brendan and I were even interviewed by the local running journalist.  Her article will be available this Friday.  I’ll be sure to share!

The second race for this series is this upcoming Sunday on the same course.  I hope to keep the hip/glutes/lower back and everything else feeling healthy and strong, so I can give it another go!  My plan is to take what I learned from this past Sunday’s race and improve my time and overall performance.  If you are near Ithaca, you should join in on the fun!

Finally, we couldn’t leave Ithaca without making a stop at some of our favorite food places!

• Have you ever used a  race for a speed workout?  …yes!
• What’s YOUR favorite Fro Yo topping?  …brownie bites

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