Friday, February 09, 2007

Nice weather tonight

I haven't run since Tuesday so I was itchin' to get it on after work tonight. I made it over to Memorial Park after a haircut, got changed, stretched, and was on my way.

The plan was to just run easy, maybe at around marathon pace, for 3 miles. I did 2 and a little more at an average 13:40 pace and then something came over me. I've been thinking about the 36:45 5K I ran back in January of 2005, before my ankle went totally to crap. To date, that is by far the best race I've ever run. So, I've been wondering if given my current fitness, coming off the marathon, I would be able to touch that time for the 5K distance. To be honest, I really had no idea what that pace (~11:50) really feels like since most of my running this past year has been 13-15 minute pace.

So, after 2.2 miles, I hit the lap button and picked it up a notch to what might be 5K effort. I did the last mile in 11:34. Even though I was breathing hard, I felt like that effort could possibly be sustained for ~3 miles. So, if I had to bet, I'd say I've got a sub-36 in me right now, given the right conditions. But, we'll never know. I really don't have any 5K on the schedule until next Fall's Fired Up 5K in Sugarland. Racing on the weekend right now just wouldn't be prudent with my long runs ramping up as the Pig approaches fast. Still, that 11:34 mile really felt good and really got me wanting to do a 5K. Patience, I guess.

6 comments:

TX Runner Mom said...

Dang Vic, you were haulin' butt! Way to go!!!

Anonymous said...

Dude,

Two excellent opportunities to raise the bar high on your 5k PR - The Trolley Run on March 31st and Friends For Scleroderma on April 29th. Good 5k efforts don't interfere with marathon training. It's there if you want it.

Steeeve

IronWaddler said...

way to go! Nice pace for the last mile!

Pat said...

You know, you could always run a 5k and then run some more to get your mileage in.

My best 5k was when I started out with faster runners and kept up with them for about a half mile in the Run for the Islands race. The fast start was enough to get me to the finish line for a PR.

I was hopeing to meet you at the Pig this year, but it's looking like I won't make that race. I wish you the best.

Pat
Arizona, USA

J~Mom said...

Great job!! I know that mile felt awesome! I hope you can squeeze that 5K in somewhere!

L*I*S*A said...

You most definitely have a sub-36 min. 5K in ya, Vic. I know it!