How to not train for a 5k
Disclaimer: I’m posting this now, even though it’s been a month since I originally typed this up. Still, it sets up what I’ll be talking about for the foreseeable future here on the blog and else where.
I’ve spent the past week essentially cloistering myself and the rest of the family inside due to Canadian wildfire smoke, but recovering from a 5k on Saturday. This was my third 5k of 2023 and consistency was what saved the day from being a total washout in terms of my own opinion about how I preformed. You would think that given this was my third 5k I would have been better prepared, and I would tell you that was indeed the whole idea behind committing to the race back in March. You see, I knew I had limited time in April since that was when I was working on finishing out my Master’s program and teaching through arguably one of the most intense times in high school in the United States, standardized testing time. So, the 5k that I did back then (on April 30th) was another baseline test to see if I could cross the finish line.
Unfortunately, that period of time not only messed with any training, but any sort of work out routine that I’d established, and while the desire to get back on the road or stationary bike is there, it’s been difficult. Now, that’s not from lack of desire or motivation, it’s that things are so out of whack that it’s hard to find the rhythm again because while I might have a few strong days, it’s still very easy to fall out of the pattern. Which prompts this blog’s title because I’m fully aware of the fact that my training regiment is very lack luster. Did I cross the finish line- yes. I held pretty consistent with my last 5k’s time. Was it my best effort though?
That one, dear reader, is less clear. I definitely ran my heart out. I gave my fullest effort to the race. But I could have done better had I put in the training. And while this blog… this site… is for celebrating the victories in publishing… in life… it’s good to show the shortcomings too. My next 5k that I plan on running (though others may pop up in between) is in the fall, near Thanksgiving to be precise. Here’s to pledging to put forth the effort and get back out on the road and actually put in the time and establish a new PR. I run these races to test what is possible for me and honestly.. they’re a blast due to the atmosphere and support. I might have been a slow runner out there last Saturday but every runner I came across, every spectator, made sure that I felt like I could cross that finish line and that they believed that I could. But, like with everything, I’m not going to see the results unless I put in the time.
July edit- Well… there was another race that did indeed pop up on my schedule. I’m happy to say that I did indeed learn from history and have already begun the training. I’m also happy to say here comes my first ever half marathon! Now realize that my goal with any of these races here is to cross the finish line. I’m not trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon here (if ever). Am I ready for a half- who knows. We don’t know what we’re really capable of until we get there. Am I going to try my best- hell yeah. Keep your eyes out here and other socials to see how we do.