• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fitness Fatale

Fitness Fatale

Conquering Fitness Goals One at a Time

  • About
    • Press
  • Blog
    • Archives
    • Workout Program Options
      • 21 Day Fix Resources
      • P90X Resources
    • PRs & Race Reports
    • Pregnancy
      • Twin Pregnancy
    • Recipes
  • Coach Business Mentorship For Runners
  • Beachbody Accountability Groups For Runners
  • Show Search
Hide Search

FCA 5K – My First Win!

 

Winner!
Winner!

On Saturday I got my first (and probably last!) taste of winning a race. My good friend Allison and her husband put on a 5k along the beautiful San Diego Mission Bay to fundraise for Fellowship Christian Athletes, an incredible organization which encourages integrity, service, teamwork and excellence in student athletes through ministry. Allison’s husband Tim works for FCA and he has made an incredible impact on the lives of countless San Diego student athletes. This inaugural 2014 FCA 5K was organized, funded executed by Tim, Allison and several generous volunteers and sponsors in order to support FCA’s mission.

Check In!
Check In!

Needless to say, this was a small race. There wasn’t chip timing and there was no need for waves. It was about having fun and raising money for a good cause. First place prizes  were donated for the first place man, woman, female student athlete and male student athlete. Regardless of the prize, I was planning running hard. It had been about three years since I raced a 5k (our post wedding 5k was my last 3.1 mile run and I wouldn’t exactly call it a race!) and I wanted to see what I had under the hood. However, I haven’t been training for a 5k, I didn’t necessarily taper for it (although it was recovery week last week!) and I didn’t have any plans for the race other than to run hard and see what happened.

Days before the race I went to my old friend McMillan and typed in my BQ time and my goal half marathon time to see what I “should” be able to race a 5k at. I decided I wanted to run it somewhere in the 21s based on this research. The first thing I thought when I saw the first 5k time McMillan said I “should “ be able to run for my half marathon goal was that it was impossible. The time started with an average pace in the 6s. Very high 6s, but I had a mental block. Have I EVER run a mile in the 6s, let alone 3.1? I’m possible. Had it said 7:05 average, I probably wouldn’t have scoffed. Funny how the mind creates a mental block at nice round numbers like 7:00 min/miles, 2 hours, etc. Once we cross that threshold, it takes a while to imagine running into the next group of times 6:00 min/miles, sub 1:50, etc.

Mike volunteered to work the Crunch Gym sponsored aid station which was at the turn around point. The race started at 9 a.m. and it was already a beautiful, sunny and warm morning when we arrived around 8 a.m. Allison was just arriving from setting up the aid station and I signed in, got my bib and chatted with other participants. At around 8:30 I drove Mike to the aid station and left him with our car keys and then ran the 1.55 miles back to the start as my warm-up.  Once I got there, some of my old coworkers were there and I got to catch up with them. Before we knew it, announcements were made and the we were starting the race. I lined up right in front and as soon as they said GO I was off!

Mike Manning the Aid Station with Enthusiasm
Mike Manning the Aid Station with Enthusiasm

I started off way too fast (surprise surprise). There were 5 or so high school boys in the front and they took off super-fast, probably in the low 5s since I was running in the mid to low 6s! I knew I had a tailwind at this point and I was feeling good but I knew I should slow down a bit so I did. Despite a lack of nerves before the race, my adrenaline definitely kicked up at the start. Greg, an old coworker of mine, ran right next to me and said I would pace him. We ran side by side in silence. Once we passed under a bridge and changed direction on the bay we were now running into a headwind and things started to feel harder. My pace dropped a bit and I really, really wanted my first mile to have a 6 in front of it so I was disappointed when my watch beeped and out came a 7:00 FLAT! Haha. Oh well. 

I kept it steady until the turnaround point. My legs felt heavy and breathing was hard but not maxed out. The fatigue from the previous weeks of hard work was still lingering in my legs. I made it to the turnaround point was excited o see Mike was there cheering us on and I gave him a high five (didn’t take any water). Greg stopped and grabbed water and once he got back up to me he sped past me. I had slowed down and was now running in the mid 7s and it felt hard! Since it was an out and back I was now running past all the other runners. Many shouted words of encouragement and a few said I was winning or the first woman which was fun! It boosted my spirits. I made a goal to pick it up once I hit the 2nd mile marker. Once I did, I tried to go faster but my legs just wouldn’t let me! Without the competition of a big race and crowd, it was difficult to get motivated to push even harder. I let myself slow a bit but was still working hard.  It wasn’t until I went under the bridge and was heading back to the finish did I really pick it up for a solid finish.  

Post Race With Friends!
Post Race With Friends!

Tim was announcing and he called my name as the winner! It was pretty exciting to win! I was a little disappointed in my final time – 22:35 (7:11 pace since I overran the course as usual) but proud that I won and it was still nearly a  1.5 minute PR! I chatted with Greg and cheered in runners as they came in and once everyone was finished, we had the awards ceremony I was presented with a Nordstrom gift card!

Selfie at the 5k!
Selfie at the 5k!

It was definitely fun to run a 5k and it also reminded me that a shorter race doesn’t necessarily mean less pain! I think I’m built for longer distances but it’s still fun to see what I can do on a shorter course. Plus, it was all for a great cause! Icing on the cake. 

Do you like to run 5ks?

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

April 25, 2014 By fitnessfatale 7 Comments

Filed Under: Running, Uncategorized Tagged With: 5k san diego, FCA 5k

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    April 25, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    Woohoo!! Congrats on the win and PR!!! I’m 100% positive you can break 22 if you go out a bit slower. I would 100% like to break 22 myself with that same advice. Lol!

    Reply
  2. Abby

    April 25, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    That’s awesome you won, and that you got an great PR!! Congratulations!
    Small races are fun to have more space, support a good cause, and boost your confidence!
    I haven’t run a 5k in years (I think since our honeymoon over six years ago)! My 5k PR is from training runs!
    I’m definitely built for endurance, too, but it’s fun to do shorter races once in a while. I wanted to do a 5k next weekend, but I just don’t trust my leg to try running fast.

    Reply
  3. Allison

    April 25, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    You are awesome and I am SO proud of your win!! Thanks for the even shout out and support! We were stoked you ran our race and now you have a title to uphold!!

    Reply
  4. Jesica @rUnladylike

    April 30, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Congrats on your win! I really like 5Ks. They are brutally hard but over quickly. I’m running one in May to pace an elementary student who I’ve signed up to mentor and then one in June that ends inside the Braves stadium at their home dugout. Excited for both! Good job on your race.

    Reply
    • FitnessFatale

      May 1, 2014 at 3:08 pm

      Thank you! I really want to run another one soon to see what I’ve got! Although they are brutally painful like you said!

      Reply
  5. Leslie @ Triathlete Treats

    May 3, 2014 at 6:01 am

    Congrats!! So awesome that you won!! and a PR too!!! I totally get what you mean about the mental block for a faster time!!
    I don’t like 5ks. They are too hard!! I raced a 5k last year(first time in like 4 or 5 years) and I wasn’t training for it either. It was a “threshold test” that I usually do at the track but I thought it would be more fun to do as a race. I think that it was a 2 minute PR which was really exciting. 5k’s are just as painful as marathons….it is just a different type of pain and it is a lot shorter!! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Holly

    May 9, 2014 at 11:44 pm

    How nice to win. I’m not super speedy, but I like when I can place in the age groups (and so yes, my coach sometimes calls me “My age grouper athlete” which makes me want to vomit, but I sure am not elite.). I do not particularly like 5K’s because they are kind of a precise race. If in a half or a full marathon, an error in pacing is made, if recognized quickly it can usually be “fixed” but boy in a 5K…mess up the pacing and it’s toast. Good Luck with your BQ goal.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Get Stronger, Healthier & Faster Together!

I am specialize in working with runners to help them incorporate strength training & nutrition into their running routines.

I am passionate about mindset and love to help people find more joy and success in their running by breaking through mental barriers.

While weight loss is a result of our programs, women in my groups often find that they are running faster, are less injury prone, and have more energy and confidence!

I am the founder of Team Run the World, a group of BODi coaches who love running! I provide mentorship, support and training for women who want to start their own coaching business from home and work flexible hours.

I would love to help support you in reaching your goals!

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Fitness Fatale

 

Loading Comments...