First race of this year...

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Last post: May 11, 2009 4:23 PM by bellsway

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zookeeperrunning

227 posts since
Aug 8, 2008

Currently Being Moderated

Apr 27, 2009 7:37 AM

First race of this year...

Well this past Saturday I ran my first 5k! I had a lot of fun, even though I wasn't as ready as I should have been. I spent the first several months of this year battling flu viruses, and some family struggles that got in the way of my training. In the last month I have only run 2 times...So for me, this race was a true test of my commitment to it, and to myself. It was a very small race, only 160 runners! And only 23 women in my age group! My biggest fear was that I would finish last. But I kept myself fairly calm, and just concentrated on the road ahead of me. I kept a pretty consistent pace, until the last stretch of the race, where I could actually see the finish...Though my time was far from being good, I did not finish last. My time was 30:54...I finished 10th out of 23 in my age group. And 130th out of 160 runners. I know I have a lot of improving to do, and a lot of training to get in before my next race which is in June. Just wanted to share this with all of you!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!:)

Carey

pickel8

6 posts since
Mar 31, 2009

Currently Being Moderated

1. May 9, 2009 4:39 AM

in response to: zookeeperrunning

Re: First race of this year...

GOOD JOB!

30:54 is no that bad for hardly running the month prior. i got my first 5k in july so we'll see how that goes am a little nervous, not sure why but i am then i got my first full marathon in oct.

what race you running in june?

KEEP RUNNING.. Sean

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zookeeperrunning

227 posts since
Aug 8, 2008

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2. May 9, 2009 6:29 AM

in response to: pickel8

Re: First race of this year...

Sean,

Maybe you're just nervous because it's your first 5k, but I'm sure you will do just fine!! In June I am running another 5k at our local YMCA. Good luck training for your first full!! Can't wait to hear how it goes. I will be doing my first half marathon this September. However it is not a road race, it is a trail race in the mountains. So I definitely have no other expectations for myself other then to finish it. I have been hearing a lot from other local trail runners that it is quite difficult for even the experienced trail runners, and I have never done a trail race before. I will be running in 2 shorter trail races before it, so I will at least get a little experience running trail. I am excited though...and am just doing it for fun. It's called the Dam Half, and they are also holding there first full marathon there as well this year. It was the closest half marathon to me, so that's actually why I picked it. Next year I plan on doing a road half, and then decide when I should possibly sign up for a full. I wish you the best in your running, and look forward to following your progress with your races!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!:)

Carey

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zookeeperrunning

227 posts since
Aug 8, 2008

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3. May 9, 2009 6:37 AM

in response to: pickel8

Re: First race of this year...

Sean,

Just checked out your profile, yeah like you have anything to be nervous about with your 5k! LOL!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!

Carey

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lenzlaw

7,024 posts since
Jan 18, 2008

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4. May 9, 2009 7:42 AM

in response to: zookeeperrunning

Re: First race of this year...

Congratulations! First 5K ever? You did well regardless, particularly with the problems you've had. Your dedication and committment shine through.

Len

We've come this far and it's still the same,
Runnin' out here in the rain.
Just one more mile, if only you could fly.
(Apologies to T. Rush and J. Tempchin, for the paraphrase)

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Marykb

629 posts since
Jan 16, 2008

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5. May 9, 2009 9:22 AM

in response to: zookeeperrunning

Re: First race of this year...

31 minutes for a first 5K is pretty good. I'm surprised you were 130 out of 160 with that time (that is usually a "middle of the pack" for me) but every race is different. Some funs runs I've been in, you might have won a medal for that time, other more competitive races you would be bringing up the rear.

But anyway, that IS a good time. Congrats of your first race, I'm sure there will be many more to come.

Recent races: Peachtree RR: 63:48, Doug Kessler Lightning 10K: 62:48, Atlanta Half Marathon: 2:19:54, Polar Bear 5K: 30:13, Chattahoochee Road Runners 10K: 61:03

Lifetime PRs 10K: <55:00, 5K: <27:00 (circa 1990's)

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kathyxc

6 posts since
Apr 27, 2009

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6. May 9, 2009 10:00 AM

in response to: zookeeperrunning

Re: First race of this year...

It was brave of you to race with so few runs under your belt and it sounds like you did a good job! Congratulations & have fun getting ready for the June race!

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pickel8

6 posts since
Mar 31, 2009

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7. May 9, 2009 3:44 PM

in response to: zookeeperrunning

Re: First race of this year...

**hahaha why do you say that?!!... i have never ran in a race at all so maybe that has something to do with it.

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crl8686

689 posts since
Nov 11, 2007

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8. May 9, 2009 5:26 PM

in response to: Marykb

Re: First race of this year...

Marykb wrote:

Small doesn't always mean laid back...I've run in some small local 5K's where the field turned out to be frightfully fast. As an example, my son's old elementary school sponsors an annual kid's mile run and a 5K run - and I have never done the 5K. I was all set to enter it one year, till I found out that the last place finisher the previous year was an acquaintance with a time of about 25 min. Had I entered the 5K, I would have finished dead last - at about 26 min. Fortunately not all small races are like that.

"...I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do....I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't..." --- author unknown

2009 highlights...
•    @ 10K: Fiesta Days Run, La Canada, CA, May 2009, 50:53
•    @ 5K: Downtown Anaheim 5K, Anaheim, CA, June 2009, 24:45
•    Long Beach Marathon, Long Beach, CA, October 2009, 4:43:10
•    Post-marathon: Calabasas Classic 5K, Calabasas, CA, November 2009, 25:14

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bellsway

242 posts since
Jan 28, 2009

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9. May 9, 2009 4:51 PM

in response to: zookeeperrunning

Re: First race of this year...

Your first race and your first PR ! Way to go. With all setbacks you should be proud you made it to the start line let alone finish at 30:54. You know the next one will be even better. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Plan your run and then run your plan.

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zookeeperrunning

227 posts since
Aug 8, 2008

Currently Being Moderated

10. May 9, 2009 5:40 PM

in response to: bellsway

Re: First race of this year...

Just want to say "thanks" to everyone for all of the posts and support. It really does mean a lot to me!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!!

Carey

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zookeeperrunning

227 posts since
Aug 8, 2008

Currently Being Moderated

11. May 9, 2009 5:46 PM

in response to: lenzlaw

Re: First race of this year...

Len,

Yes this was my first 5k. I did a 10k before, but that was probably 17-18 years ago!! That race, I did finish dead last, and I definitely was not even remotely prepared for it. So that race, and finishing last will always be in the back of my mind at every single race I run!! Thank you for all of the advice and support you have given me over the last 9 months!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!

Carey

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lifl2003

66 posts since
Sep 30, 2008

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12. May 11, 2009 5:34 AM

in response to: zookeeperrunning

Re: First race of this year...

Congrats on teh race. Always remember "slow and steady wins the race"

The Dam half looks very challenging!! Good luck with the prep and the race..

Mike

"I can't means I won't"

My Blog - http://runningonli.blogspot.com/

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irana5kat50

1 posts since
May 11, 2009

Currently Being Moderated

13. May 11, 2009 6:24 AM

in response to: zookeeperrunning

Re: First race of this year...

I just registered for my first 5K ever...in my life! I turn 50 on the 20th of May and the race is on the 17th. It will be at our county zoo which I thought was ironic and why I replied to your post. I am excited, but scared to death. I run 3 miles about 6 times a week, with a 4 or 5 miler here and there on the treadmill. It is incredibly hard for me to run outside but I keep plugging away. Some days I have to incorporate a walk rest or two to get through it. On the treadmill I feel like an olympian, but I know they frown on bringing you treadmill to races. LOL I run a 12.30 minute mile. (or less if I have to do a recuperating walk) I am so slow but I think what the heck I am almost as old as Methusila. I think that it is so cool that you pushed through the entire 5K after only consistantly running 2 miles. I would be thrilled with a 130th place finish. I am dreading finishing last, but someone has to, right?

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zookeeperrunning

227 posts since
Aug 8, 2008

Currently Being Moderated

14. May 11, 2009 6:46 AM

in response to: irana5kat50

Re: First race of this year...

irana5kat50,

Thanks for your reply, but I think you may have been confused by my post. First, I am not a zookeeper, I only use that as a screen name because I am always running my 4 kids around, and always on the go. My house feels like a zoo, hence the name, zookeeperrunning!! Second, I stated that I had only run twice in the month prior to the race, not that I have only ever run two miles. I am glad to hear about your upcoming first 5k...I wish you the best of luck with it. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY a little early!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!

Carey