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.
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!
Tuesday: 3 easy miles and strength training
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.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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congrats on the race! can’t wait to read the recap. I hope it doesn’t end up snowing!
Thanks! Yea, its not looking good here on Wednesday. I just hope it ends up being too warm to stick!
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.
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.
Looks like you had a great week! It’s so fun to see you running so strong. Congrats on that 5k!
Thanks! It’s definitely nice to be back at it.
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!
Thank you! It all worked out pretty well.
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!
I agree, 5ks are really the only distance where its not a big deal to register at the last minute. Thank you!
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.
Its kind of fun- no pressure!
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!
Thanks! Its definitely a good distance for a last minute race. Plus there are advantages to not worrying about it beforehand!
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!
Thanks! Yea, it was a pretty high mileage week for me compare to most weeks!
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.
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.
Awesome week of workouts and congrats on your 3rd place female win for the 5K! Loving your race outfit as well – super cute!
Thank you!
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.
That’s too bad! I have to travel a bit for this one but it wasn’t too far. Thank you!
I definitely find that a balance of treadmill and outdoor workouts are a good mix for me!
It’s been working out well! Im glad to have both options.
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!
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.
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!
Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions about the treadmill. We are still loving it!
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.
Thanks! That’s a great strategy. I agree you can definitely save money by signing up early!
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!
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!
you had a great week of running! Bet it felt good to run that 10 miler outside. Not looking forward to our impending snow
The outdoor run felt great- definitely not excited about this weather we are supposed to get.
Congrats on the finish.
Snow is a four letter word. so not looking forward to tomorrow/Weds especially as I planned an outdoor workout
Hopefully it won’t be too bad! And it should melt quickly as the sun is pretty strong in March.