Race Report: Resolution Run 5K 2023

Previous PR: 22:18 (Hearts & Soles '20)

90% Goal: sub-9 pace

50% Goal: 8:30 average
10% Goal: 8:15/pace

Result: 26:32 (8:32/mi avg)

Training: Big fat NOPE. I still haven't had much consistent running, and I'm coming off another bout of strep throat, so, yeah....  

Pre-Race: This was our first race that we've been able to do as a full family (I think?). Resolution Run's always been special for me since I won the mile in 2015, walked it with our first baby in 2016, and it was baby's first "race" in 2017. So many awesome memories. Today, my husband and older kiddo were doing the mile (not together, though), littlest was doing the 50m dash, and I signed up for the 5K. We had a lot of fun seeing friends. This is the first race that's felt the least bit like pre-COVID times for me. 

Plan: Originally, I'd wanted to have a decently consistent December of mileage, and use this race as a "where am I?" kind of indicator. Coming down with strep throat earlier this week and being knocked out for the three days immediately prior , though, made that a baaaaad plan. Instead, my only goal was just to show up and run a fun pace. 

Let's do this.

I'd signed up with a goal pace of 8:15, which put me in Wave A. I did not think that was going to happen today. It probably could have, but I was also really cautious about not pushing my recovering body beyond a certain limit. So, I hopped back into Wave B (9:00/mi or faster) and just let it ride.

Race:

I let myself run whatever felt good. It was a bit weird starting in the second wave, since I was running at the front of the pack almost alone for the first 1/4-1/2 mi. I was almost worried about where to go. I started off at a low 8 pace, and was surprised with how comfortable it felt. Well, surprised, and really pleased. 

The course itself was pretty nice. I felt like the first mile was calm, the second mostly uphill, and the third a good return to the finish line. I kept my pace "solid", but reserved, and really just enjoyed my time out there today. 

Reflections:

Really happy to have had such a great experience (and performance) today, and hopeful that, despite all of the setbacks this year has brought, maybe I'm finally on my way back up.