This week I finally ran the virtual 5k I’ve been training for. I put it off until Wednesday when the weather started to clear up. I managed to run a PR (unofficial I guess, since it was virtual), and am very slowly chipping away at my 5k time. Other than that, the week was filled with easy runs but I did get outside with the stroller! I also got back to strength training after almost 2 weeks off.
Weekly Run Down: Chipping away at my 5k time
Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday: 3.2 Easy Treadmill Miles + Core
Wednesday: 5.4 Miles with 5k in 21:23
Thursday: 3.6 Stroller Miles + Strength Training
Friday: 3.5 Stroller Miles
Saturday: Strength Training + 4.1 Treadmill Miles
Sunday: 6.3 Miles
Planning out the week
I had initially planned to run my virtual 5k last weekend, but snow, ice, and temps in the teens led me to change those plans. After getting more snow on Monday, we had some sun and warmer weather on Tuesday. By Wednesday morning the streets were clear, with just a few slick spots around corners or up against the sidewalks.
I didn’t want to race after 4 straight days of running, so I made Monday a rest day. This worked out because it was also my first day back in the office. I wanted to run a few easy miles the day before I did my race which is why I ran on the treadmill on Tuesday.
Live Give Run Virtual 5k
I’m not going to write a “race recap” because this really just felt like a hard training run. But there are a few things I want to share about it.
My goal was to PR, which meant running under 21:31(6:55 pace). My training had gone pretty well and I was comfortable with that pace (as comfortable as you can be with 5k pace). I set my watch to lap at .25 miles so that I wouldn’t be tempted to look at it too often. I just checked my splits each time it buzzed, with the aim of keeping each 1/2 mile under 1:43/1:44.
I also logged this into my watch as a workout- simply 3.1 miles (I didn’t set a goal pace because I didn’t want it buzzing every time I went above or below my goal). The reason I did this was so I didn’t have to worry about stopping my watch at 3.1 miles; it would stop automatically.
I’ll share my splits below, and I’ll just say that I think I ran the race I trained for. I think I have a faster time in me, but I’m also glad I didn’t go out too fast and crash and burn. I intentionally started out a little slower, to make sure I could finish strong.
Chipping away at my 5k time
My official 5k PR is from 2013 when I ran a 21:38. Since then I ran a 21:40 twice and 21:39 once, along with a whole bunch of slower times. Last April I ran an unofficial 5k PR in a virtual race with a 21:31. What will happen when I finally do a live race again?
I said this last year, but I kind of want to keep doing some virtual 5ks to try to get my time down more. It’s a good time to do that, without any other races on the agenda. But it also takes discipline and some planning. So we’ll see. I think it would be a good challenge.
Stroller Running and Sunshine
Thursday and Friday brought some warmer weather and sunshine, which meant stroller runs! It’s probably been at least a month since I was able to run with the stroller. Grayson did ok. I think he was happy to be out of the house. He’s still not interested in any of the toys I bring and just wants to eat applesauce pouches the whole time.
A Rainy Weekend
It rained both mornings over the weekend. I ran on the treadmill (and lifted) on Saturday, but was determined to get outside for a run on Sunday. It was 42 degrees, so running in the rain actually felt ok! It was really muddy but most of the snow/ice was gone.
Strength Training
I took last week off of lifting to give my body some extra rest before my virtual race. So I got back to it on Thursday morning. It felt really good to lift again, even though my legs were a little sore by the weekend.
Overall this was a good week of running thanks to a successful virtual 5k. It also really helped to have some warmer days and sunshine! It makes me feel like maybe spring isn’t too far off.
Training for a virtual race? Check out my virtual race resource guide!
You may also like:
5 Workouts To Help You Prepare For Your Next 5k
5 Lessons from Running a 5k & Turkey Trot Race Recap
6 Tips for Preparing for a Virtual Race
Are there any distances that you have had to work really hard to PR in over the years?
Did you have some warmer weather this week?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
Excellent job on the 5K!! That distance is such a crap shoot for me. Since it’s “short,” there’s not much time to fix things if my pace waivers, but it’s still a “long” time to hold a fast pace. So much depends on the circumstances (weather being a big one), for me at least. I did all those 5K time trials last year, and each one had its own unique challenges LOL
Thank you! It really is a tricky distance. I love that you did so many 5ks last year. I thought about that but I’m not sure if I have it in me!
Congrats on your 5k! I’ve been able to chip my 5k time down a bit each year but the 10k was absolutely a bear that wouldn’t move for the longest time. I always program the distance for virtual races into my Garmin so that it does all of the “thinking” for me but learned the hard way not to program in a goal pace for a race. For me it’s no big deal if I don’t hit my pace goal in a workout but it messes up my mental game for a race too much.
Thank you! I think the 10k was a little easier for me because I didn’t do very many so once i figured out how to race it I was able to make progress. It’s helpful to use the Garmin during races! But I totally agree about not having the paces in there for a race.
I think a virtual PR is harder — so congrats! All your consistency & hard work is really paying off.
Yesterday was really crappy for us (including snow in the morning) so it was the perfect day for an all-day class. Today the rain is holding off so I enjoyed that warmer weather!
You are a beast for getting out there in cold rain.
I’ve had to work really hard for most all my PRs, LOL!
Thank you! Glad your schedule worked out this weekend. Getting PRs is tough! It means your working hard!
Nice job on your speedy 5K! I think doing it virtually is way harder and I bet when you have the chance to run a live race, you will surprise yourself. I always start out too fast on a 5K and then burn out. I am so not a sprinter. Way to get in a solid week of workouts this week
I’ve made that mistake with 5ks too! But I’ve also run them too conservatively. It can be tough to pace them.
That 5k had to feel so good! I love the 5k distance because it’s such a mental challenge to pace yourself to run fast for that distance. Great job on those splits. I also think you have a faster 5k in you!
I like the 5k because it doesn’t require a huge commitment- especially for a virtual race. I was able to mostly keep up with my regular schedule this week and not need a ton of recovery.
Congratulations! I agree with other commenters that a virtual race can be harder. I think it’s a great idea to take this time to do more virtual 5ks. Think how easy (and fun) it will feel to finally do real races again someday!
It will really be nice to do real races again! I just hope I can still run as fast in a real race!
Fantastic splits on your 5K time. I may have run a 7:xx mile once, but those days are long gone. Gosh, Grayson looks big in that photo. Running with him in the stroller should count as a strength workout too!
Haha he is definitely getting big! I don’t know how people run with 4 year olds in the stroller (or with double strollers!)
I’m so impressed that you can PR for a virtual race. I could never. But then again, you worked hard so you deserve it,
I’m quite embarrassed that I’ve never trained to be fast,. My PR happen or don’t.
Now that I am so much slower, I think I may have to change all that.
Yes. It hit 40 degrees but it looks like cold weather again this week.
Thank you! I don’t think you need to be embarrassed by not training. You enjoy your running, and you have fun racing, and that’s what counts. It needs to be enjoyable!
Great job on your 5k! It isn’t an easy distance though one might think it is. You’ve been training for it. The weather did not stop you. Perhaps you can do weekly ones like Kim did last year?
I thought about that, but then it would be more like training runs. But I should definitely start doing them more often. Thank you!
Awesome job on your new personal best for the 5K! The weather here was warmer this weekend but unfortunately it rained both days so no outdoor running for me, but it did wash away much of the leftover snow and ice!
That was the good thing about the rain. I hope all our snow will be gone this week. And thank you!
Congrats on a new 5k PR! Racing virtually and really pushing the pace is not easy so kudos. My 5k PR is soft, as it was a very hot day on a hilly course, and I stopped to talk to the course marshall at the turnaround. Haha whoops! It must’ve felt great to get out for a stroller run too!
Thank you! That’s funny that you stopped during your 5k PR!
Congrats on your 5K PR. That’s fantastic!
It sounds like Grayson is the perfect running partner. He fuels while you run! LOL
Thank you! Haha! He definitely has the easier job, but he doesn’t even know it.
You are absolutely amazing! I am 100% not built for speed, especially not now, so I am just in awe of your accomplishment. You worked so hard for this and I am so proud of and happy for you!
Thank you! It was fun to train for this distance especially because it didn’t require really long runs or too much of a time commitment. I also think there is something to be said for racing on my own when there is no pressure.
I’d call it an official PR. Seriously. do you need a live race to justify your hard work? You did great! I can not run like that, nor could I ever. I had to work really hard to get my PR which is 28 something hahaha (you’d think I’d remember it since I nearly threw up at the finish). I am sure you will beat this 5K time in a live race though. Keep going and keep that amazing faith in yourself.
Thank you so much! I guess my only hesitation to call it an official PR is that I created the course, chose with directions to run, and didn’t have to worry about weaving or anything like that. Usually I end up running more than 3.1 miles in a 5k! But you are right that we shouldn’t really need a live race to justify a PR.
Congratulations on your new PR! Racing virtual 5k’s seems like an awesome plan.
I just received that Brooks jacket! Can’t wait to try it out, though I might need some layers under it still, and its still chilly in Minneapolis, though we have 60’s in the forecast!
Thank you! And I love the jacket! I have been wearing it with layers and its been great.
Congrats on your 5K! Your training and consistency are definitely paying off. I think pushing yourself in a virtual race is a real challenge!
Thanks so much! While it is challenging, I actually think I’ve been doing better in virtual races because I don’t put as much pressure on myself. Who knows?
Nice work on the 5k… that is a pretty fast pace to hold for 5k! 5k seems short but is long when you’re trying to hold a fast pace LOL
Thank you! That’s so true. Its a tough distance!