Adventures in Clean Eating

I registered for last night’s 5K at the very last minute, literally twenty minutes before the cut-off.  Every week, my Wednesday Kettlebell class leaves me more sore for days after the fact, and this week was no different.  So, I was hesitant to sign up.  But, it was cheap, and my friends were running it, plus I’d get a free beer and the chance to win a bike.  So, I was down.

I left work a little early so I would have some alone time with my foam roller.  It helped a little, but not quite enough.  I also put together a fun playlist for the race:

1. “Love Today” by Mika
2. “Paper Planes” by M.I.A.
3. “Somebody to Love” by The Glee Cast
4. “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha
5. “B.O.B.” by Outkast
6. “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
7. “Crazy Possessive” by Kaci Battalgia
8. “Grace Kelly” by Mika

This playlist was really fun.  I don’t normally run races with music, but I think it’s helpful during 5ks.  The extra motivation really helps me hit the gas early on.

We got to Crystal City with just enough time for a quick warm-up jog, which loosened me up a little bit, but my hips still felt tight and I was having trouble getting in a groove.

I started off fast.  I finished my first mile in under 8 minutes, which is too fast for me.  I knew I couldn’t retain that speed.  I got a bad side stitch that wouldn’t go away.  I had to will myself to slow down, but my legs just really wanted to go faster.  I tried to maintain 8:30.  Towards the end I noticed myself slowing down- running around 9 minutes per mile.  It was tough to speed up again.  But when I passed the 3 mile mark, I saw a new PR in sight!  I gunned it, and in spite of thinking I was going to lose my lunch, I crossed the finish as fast as I could.

• Distance: 3.21 mi
• Elapsed Time: 25:32
• Avg Pace: 7:57/mi

I didn’t hit the start button on my watch right when I crossed start, so I couldn’t be positive I PRed, but the official results guaranteed that I finished in 25:33, Avg 8:14/mi, finishing 329 out of 1,064.  That’s a new 5K PR!

I set this PR during a race I was really unsure about.  I wasn’t feeling good.  I was really sore and it was hot out.  So, under good conditions, what will I be able to do?

The after party was fun.  I didn’t win the bike (surprise, surprise), but I did get my free beer, and then hit up Kora for half priced pasta afterwards, which I was too ravenous to take a picture of.  I was tempted by the Quinoa Linguine, but I went with the Rigatoni with Sausage and Mushrooms.  I can’t resist a good sausage.

(That’s what she said…)

I did a number on myself this week.  I’m really fatigued, so I’m skipping my speed work today.  I’m just going to do some yoga, and hope I feel great from my 12 miler tomorrow.

By the way, I’ve set five PRs this year.  Granted, three of them were from running a new distance, but I’ll take it!