[I'm never sure where best to post these days so I've written this in the Bridge to 10k group as well as here in the marathon club. Hope that's ok]
So after roseabi shared about the Fly5k events the other week, I signed up. Yesterday was my first race.
Officially you're supposed to run between 8am and 12noon but childcare meant this was a challenge so I was up early and set out at 7am.
Although a bit cold, the weather was perfect. The sun was just rising and the sky was beautiful. I was a bit nervous it could be icy as the car was frozen but fortunately there was no ice on the floor.
I set a 7min/mile playlist on Spotify and pressed play. Kool and the Gang kicked things off with 'Celebration' which was a great motivating track to stretch and warm up to.
GPS locked on, watch started, and we're off.
I planned my 5k loop with a short down to a long flat so as to pick up momentum. I was pushing everything I had, determined to keep the pace going as I hit the first uphill section at 1km. I slowed a little but glanced at my watch, I'm running up this stretch at 5min/Kms. That felt good. I might just do well here.
The next 3 km was a long fairly flat road that ends in a lovely downhill section around a corner.
There's something special about this corner as it's the point throughout C25K that no matter how tired or disengaged with the run, I would always get into the rythm and my mindset would change.
The final km and things are looking good for a PB. If only I didn't have a steep hill to clamber up. Pushed it hard as I could but I knew my body was slowing down. Maybe I should have chose a different route?
Finally reaching the top of the hill, I picked up the pace, thinking I could still do this. I could still get that PB afterall. One long flat stretch as hard and fast as I could. I kept glancing at my pace on my watch and it wasn't budging. I'm going as fast and hard as I can and doing the mental maths to work out if I'm fast enough. I don't think I am, so I try my best to dig in deeper but that pace just isn't altering.
Finally my watch buzzes for the 5K finish line. I hit stop. I look. And I am in the street cheering (and panting) like crazy.
I've only gone a blummin done it! At 22:01 that's my fastest ever 5K, 66seconds quicker than my best solo effort and 1 second knocked off my ParkRun PB. Ok, I'm gutted I couldn't quite hit that sub22 target but I now know that it's possible.
Fly5k was definitely the motivation I needed to run fast. I can't say I'll be aiming for PBs every week, but I'm certainly looking forward to taking part again and working towards my sub20 dream!