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in Races, Running, Weekly Wrap · March 19, 2018

You Have to Start Somewhere

This week I decided to jump into a 5k at the last minute. I figured I would have to start somewhere! I still hadn’t decided on a race but my anxiety about “training” was getting the best of me. I figured the best way to improve in the 5k distance was to actually run some races. 

Running faster can be challenging and intimidating. I've wanted to get back into doing 5ks but have not committed to a race. So this weekend I jumped in to one at the last minute. I figured, you have to start somewhere. Read about my week of workouts including this 5k. #run #race #workouts

The week was not planned around this race (until Friday) so I still did my normal workouts. I’m sure that the regular mileage did not help to rest up my legs for the race. If you have been following along for a bit you may have noticed that I stress myself out too much by signing up for races in advance and this method seems to work better for me. 

Weekly Recap: You Have to Start Somewhere

Monday: 6 miles with 2 tempo miles and 4 short intervals

This was a tough workout. I ran a mile warm up, then 2 tempo miles (they were 7:59 and 7:47 but I was hoping for faster), took a 1/2 mile recovery and then did 4 2-minute intervals around 7:20-7:30 pace, followed by a cool down. My legs were toast by the end!

monday workout

Tuesday: 3 easy miles and strength training

tuesday run

Wednesday: 5 miles and core/stability work

I followed a route on iFit which had some uphills portions, but also some parts that were downhill! It’s a nice treat to run a decline on the treadmill once in a while. 

wednesday run

Thursday: 20 minutes spinning and strength training

It was good to take a day off from running, but the strength sessions burned out my legs anyway. Will those stability ball leg curls ever get easier?

spinning

Friday: Rest

It was weird but kind of nice to take a rest day during the week! 

Saturday: Lucky Leprechaun 5k (plus warm up and cool down- 6 miles total)

I’ll do a recap this week, but I finished in 23:51 and got 3rd place female. 

lucky leprechaun 5k

Sunday: 10 miles

I was in the mood for a long run so I headed out thinking I would do between 7 and 10 miles. I felt good and made it to 10.

sunday 10 miles

Overall it was a strong week of workouts. We are supposed to get snow this week so I have a feeling I will be on the treadmill some more! However, I feel like I’ve found a nice balance of getting outside on the weekends and for speed work, and using the treadmill when I don’t feel like layering up or heading out in the dark for an early morning run. 

Do you prefer to plan ahead for races or jump in at the last minute?
How were your workouts last week?
Do you get in the mindset that you just have to start somewhere?

You may also like:
Frederick Half-Marathon Training Week 3
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Review of Google Clips Wireless Smart Camera
Out and About in Baltimore and I’m Not 22 Anymore

 

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Previous Post: « Weekly Wrap: Back in Action
Next Post: Lucky Leprechaun 5k Race Recap »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. meredith @ cookie chrunicles says

    March 19, 2018 at 5:51 am

    congrats on the race! can’t wait to read the recap. I hope it doesn’t end up snowing!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:25 pm

      Thanks! Yea, its not looking good here on Wednesday. I just hope it ends up being too warm to stick!

  2. Marcia says

    March 19, 2018 at 7:21 am

    Sounds like jumping in that 5k was a great idea! Congrats on a strong race. I rarely sign up for anything last minute here because typically prices go through the roof. One of the few times I did, they failed to track me or give me a finish time. Crazy.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:26 pm

      Wow, that’s terrible! I was able to pay the same price ($25) signing up the day before. If I signed up on race day it would have been $35.

  3. Wendy says

    March 19, 2018 at 7:23 am

    Looks like you had a great week! It’s so fun to see you running so strong. Congrats on that 5k!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:27 pm

      Thanks! It’s definitely nice to be back at it.

  4. AmyC says

    March 19, 2018 at 7:43 am

    Sounds like it was a great idea for you to jump in to that 5K at the last minute. Congrats on placing 3rd! That’s awesome!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:27 pm

      Thank you! It all worked out pretty well.

  5. Kimberly Hatting says

    March 19, 2018 at 7:45 am

    If I do any last-minute races, they will be 5K’s. Those typically cost $30-$35 for race day registration…anything else I register early to avoid the high prices. Congrats on your strong 5K!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:28 pm

      I agree, 5ks are really the only distance where its not a big deal to register at the last minute. Thank you!

  6. Maureen says

    March 19, 2018 at 8:34 am

    Great job on the race! I don’t typically randomly sign up for races but I’ll probably look into that during the summer just for fun.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:28 pm

      Its kind of fun- no pressure!

  7. Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says

    March 19, 2018 at 8:42 am

    Congrats on the 5K and thirs place finish! I have never done a last minute race but I can see the advantage of it for a 5k – fewer nerves to deal with. I can’t wait to read your recap!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:29 pm

      Thanks! Its definitely a good distance for a last minute race. Plus there are advantages to not worrying about it beforehand!

  8. Erinn says

    March 19, 2018 at 8:58 am

    Wow you did a lot of running! And way to go on that race! 3rd place female is awesome 🙂 Hope you have another great week!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:30 pm

      Thanks! Yea, it was a pretty high mileage week for me compare to most weeks!

  9. Lesley says

    March 19, 2018 at 9:22 am

    I am definitely a planner, and haven’t done a race at the last minute. I have been looking at race calendars this spring to help me with the longer distance, but I haven’t found any I want to do yet.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:30 pm

      I am a planner to which makes it weird that Ive been enjoying the last minute races! I also get nervous about races so thats probably part of it too.

  10. Kimberly G says

    March 19, 2018 at 10:06 am

    Awesome week of workouts and congrats on your 3rd place female win for the 5K! Loving your race outfit as well – super cute!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you!

  11. Kelly @ Noodle to the Rescue says

    March 19, 2018 at 2:16 pm

    I wish that I could jump into a race at the last minute but there are so few races offered in my small town it’s just not an option!
    Congrats on the 3rd place AG award! That’s awesome.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      That’s too bad! I have to travel a bit for this one but it wasn’t too far. Thank you!

  12. Sarah @ Bucket List Tummy says

    March 19, 2018 at 2:20 pm

    I definitely find that a balance of treadmill and outdoor workouts are a good mix for me!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      It’s been working out well! Im glad to have both options.

  13. Laura says

    March 19, 2018 at 2:23 pm

    I almost jumped into a 5k this weekend too and then chickened out! 🙂 Good for you for ripping off the band aid and going for it. And such a strong week, too!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:32 pm

      Thanks! 5ks are no joke. I keep going back and forth between wanting to do another one and wanting to take a break from them and try another distance.

  14. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    March 19, 2018 at 2:53 pm

    Congratulations on your 5K victory and for having such a strong week!! I am seriously considering getting your treadmill…it has to be nice to be able to run on a decline too!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 5:32 pm

      Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions about the treadmill. We are still loving it!

  15. Sara says

    March 19, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    Great week of workouts! I always try to sign up early to save money on registration but my goal is to be in shape to run 6-10 miles all the time. I may not race it but I could sign up the week of some races lol.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 19, 2018 at 6:19 pm

      Thanks! That’s a great strategy. I agree you can definitely save money by signing up early!

  16. HoHo Runs says

    March 19, 2018 at 8:28 pm

    What a fantastic week of running! And congrats on your 5k placement! To me, they are the hardest distance to pace well. I usually sign up a few days in advance for most local races — of any distance. They usually don’t increase until race day anyway. Thanks for linking!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 20, 2018 at 4:54 am

      Thank you! it seems like unless you sign up really far in advance, the prices are that much different. I would rather pay a little more for something I will definitely run than pay a lower price for something I end up DNSing!

  17. Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says

    March 19, 2018 at 10:02 pm

    you had a great week of running! Bet it felt good to run that 10 miler outside. Not looking forward to our impending snow

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 20, 2018 at 4:54 am

      The outdoor run felt great- definitely not excited about this weather we are supposed to get.

  18. Cari says

    March 19, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    Congrats on the finish.
    Snow is a four letter word. so not looking forward to tomorrow/Weds especially as I planned an outdoor workout

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 20, 2018 at 4:55 am

      Hopefully it won’t be too bad! And it should melt quickly as the sun is pretty strong in March.

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