Twenty Minutes
| June 6, 2011 | Posted by Lauren under Running |
Twenty Minutes.
For all my years of racing 5Ks, that was a time I had never seen on the clock. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I pushed myself, I never could get my legs to move fast enough. So after college, I chalked it up to my hatred for the distance and hung up my 5K shoes to focus on something I thought I would enjoy – running for a long time at a comfortably fast pace.
Every runner has that nemesis time. Those numbers that evade them on the clock, over and over again. That time you know you could run – that you should run – but you’ve just never been able to find that one last gear. The one deep down that you know you have to switch into if you have any hope of ever running faster.
Thanks Lizzy for all the pictures!
For me, it was a sub-20 5K. Why? Because in order to be truly competitive in the 5K distance, I knew I needed to get my time below 20:00. Sure, a 20/21 minute 5k was still relatively competitive in my small college division. With those times, I was able to hang with other runners, and even place in races. But I assure you I wasn’t winning any titles or regional competitions. And I always felt that if I could just run a little faster, then I’d be able to say I was a good 5K runner.
Whether you run faster or slower, longer or shorter distances, most runners have a time in their mind by which they define their identity. It might be a real standard (like running a Boston Qualifying time), or one that you’ve arbitrarily set up in your mind (like my sub-20 5K goal). But no matter how they got there, the truth is that when you finally achieve that goal time, there’s a brief moment when you turn to yourself and say “Now, I feel like a real/good/fast/solid runner!”
….and then you start thinking that maybe (just maybe) you could run even faster. But that’s a post for another day…
When I signed up for the Foxboro Against Diabetes 5K, I didn’t have any real goals in my mind. I haven’t really been training, and the only sort of speedwork I’ve done since the National Marathon has been racing. I wanted to just run a short race for fun, with a group of my friends. And I wanted to get over my fear and hatred for 5Ks by racing them more often.
MomOnTheRun, Jillian, Corey, Me, Becky, Lizzy, and Adrienne
But in case you haven’t guessed by now, I’m a competitive person. So when I scoped out the other runners at the starting line and only saw 2 confident women sporting their sponsored jerseys from fast local running clubs, ideas began to form in my mind. Crazy ideas that didn’t include taking it easy and enjoying the course (which ended up being a good decision. I didn’t pay much attention to my surroundings but from what I could gather, there wasn’t a whole lot of pretty course to enjoy).
When the gun went off, I figured I would just see if I could maybe hang with these women. They surged, I followed…until I realized they were holding a 5:30/mile pace. I might be crazy when it comes to my dreams of winning races, but I’m not that crazy. I backed off, trying to keep them both in sight.
By the end of the first mile, I had caught up to Running Club Girl #2. She had fallen off the pace a bit, so I tucked in behind her for a little while thinking I could use her to pace me to a fast time. But then she seemed to be slowing more, and that little voice in my head telling me to go faster kept getting louder and louder until it started to scream “You can run faster than this! You can push this pace! Take off now.”
And so I did. I came through that first mile faster than I had expected, but I didn’t want to back off now. My only thought was to keep my pace under 6:30 for as long as humanly possible. It’s only 20 minutes of running, right??
Oh but that the race seemed to stretch out forever. Why do 5Ks feel so incredibly long? All I could think about was stopping, or puking, or slowing down just a teensy tiny bit. It reminded me of my lowest moments in cross country where I’d secretly wish I would twist my ankle on a rogue stone just so the misery of the run would end and officials could cart me off the course (yes, I know, this is awful. But who ever claimed that a runner’s mind during a race is actually rational?).
By this point, Running Club Girl #1 was completely out of sight, and I kept expecting #2 to come up from behind any second. It was all I could do to not look back around every corner to see if she was there. Just keep running. Don’t look back, she’ll think you’re tired and it will give her fuel to pick it up.
Finally, finally the flag that marked the finish line came into view. I picked it up, trying to give it every ounce of speed I had left. The finish line seemed to keep stretching further and further back and my panicked brain kept arguing with itself: run faster, she’s going to get you! I can’t. I won’t make it. I have nothing left.
But we all know that races end eventually, no matter how long it seems to take us to get there. And as I reached the line, I looked up in excitement. The clock had yet to hit 20:00. I had done it!
Final Stats
Time: 19:46; 6:22/mile
Place: 10/895 finishers; 2nd Female; 1st in Division!
And even though I felt so sick that I couldn’t eat my post-race ice cream (that’s a first!), it was worth it. I had beaten my nemesis time! And I had done it when I had least expected it.
It may seem silly, but until this past weekend’s 5K, I didn’t truly believe that I gotten faster as a runner since I hung up my college racing flats. I knew I was getting stronger and my endurance was increasing. I knew I was running distances that I had never been capable of and I was able to keep my average pace faster than before. But that old college 5K PR was still standing. Say what you want about my self-confidence, but in the back of my mind, I never felt like there had been a true test. I had traded speed for distance. And running a fast marathon is completely different than running a fast 5K. Saturday’s race gave me confidence in the shorter distances that I haven’t had since my senior year of college.
I still don’t love 5Ks. I’ll be honest and admit to you that I felt like crap the entire race. I never got into the zone or found my groove or felt the least bit comfortable (but isn’t that sort of the point?). But I was racing. I was throwing my hat in the ring and giving it all I had. And that alone felt pretty darn amazing.
I don’t have a fancy plaque or a medal or even a t-shirt to commemorate my win (You all know I love my race shirts, but I won’t harp too much on how frustrated I was that the race wouldn’t give us t-shirts because we weren’t in the top 400 registrants, despite the fact that they never advertised this would be the case and had lots of extra shirts after the race, just lying around). Corey (who won 3rd!!) and I both received gift certificates to DB Sports for Saucony gear (talk about a very specific prize).
But more than my new blue Saucony running outfit (which I am excited to wear), this race gave me confidence. It showed me that I am still growing as a runner. That I can run marathons and 5Ks. And that no matter how much time I take away from it, there’s something ingrained deep inside me that comes out on race day. A competitive fire that fuels me to go faster than I would’ve expected, that pushes me to keep going when my brain yells at me to stop, and gives me motivation to hang on until there’s nothing left, just so I can try to stick with the really fast runners. I hope that fire never dies out.
In the end, I suppose there’s a chance it had nothing to do with me at all. You never know….maybe it was all in the shoes.
—
And congrats to Lizzy and MomOnTheRun for their new PRs!!
Do you have a nemesis time? Or a race you ran that helped you re-define how you thought of yourself as a runner?
Congrats Lauren! I am so glad to hear you beat your nemesis time. And second overall female? You are a rockstar! I know this must have given you a huge confidence boost! I’m so happy for you!
Is 19 the next time to beat?
Oh of course! What’s another minute?!
Wow, Lauren! I am blown away! That is so incredible that you had such a great race, and when you weren’t really training for it, too. Amazing:). Well-deserved, though! You have been kicking booty lately in all our races, it’s about time you kicked the 5k’s booty, too. Congrats on SECOND FEMALE and first in your age group. SO impressive:). My big nemesis time right now is the marathon. I can’t wait for my foot to get better so I can get back into training.
Erin @ Until You Tri´s last post ..I Am Not a Blob!
Lauren! Congratulations! I am so happy for you.
(And BTW, when I ran cross country in high school I had the same wish of injury. Although, as opposed to the officials carrying me off, it was my really cute teammate).
Brittany´s last post ..Being Aunt Brittany
haha! I love this!! I’ll admit to having similar thoughts
Congratulations!! My goal for a 5k is sub 25 so your sub 20 is just amazing!!!
Congrats!
Holy crap, you are AWESOME. Seriously. My hero and my running idol. Congratulations!
Ali´s last post ..What You Do When You Go To Fire Island
AWESOME post, and AMAZING run!! Woah 2nd female, and 1st in division?! That is SO great!
This post really speaks to me actually because sub-20 is my nemesis time too! I was training for it in my last big race, but sadly got injured and wasn’t allowed to ‘race’ it, just ‘run’ it. I was still happy with my 20.59 time, but that sub 20 keeps evading me!! I know I can get it someday though, just like you
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner)´s last post ..Tough decisions
Thank you! And you WILL get it someday! Sometimes you just need to find that one race where everything comes together. And hopefully that’ll happen for you soon
WOOT! It is weird that I am so incredibly proud of you? I feel like a parent! I am so happy the you beat your nemesis because I knew you had it in you. When I first saw Running Club Girls, I knew you could hang with them. You’re just so awesome! Congrats!
Sub-4. That’s my nemesis. Someday…
Becky´s last post ..5K Fun in Foxboro
Lauren: not to sound like a broken record, but I am just so proud of you. Keep up the great work! You already have so many fantastic running accomplishments. I can imagine me still able to run and feeling you breathing down my neck at mile two. You’re coming for me, I need to get moving…………… Dad
I so relate to this post. My nemesis time is 60 seconds in the 400. I never broke it and it still haunts me even though I don’t think I will ever run a fast 400 again.
But moving… I am so incredibly proud of you. You are proving race after race that you are so strong and capable of fabulous results. I love having such a fast friend in my life. It encourages me to work harder and get faster : )
And I like 5ks. Can we do another?
Lizzy @ Food to Run For´s last post ..New PR! Foxboro 5K!
Truthfully, I go back and forth between wanting to do another one and not wanting to run one for a very long time. I want to run fast, but I still haven’t forgotten how awful it felt! haha
That being said, if you find a 5K you want to do, I probably won’t be able to help but sign up.
You wrote a great recap, Lauren!! I am so proud of you for breaking 20 minutes, and I’m glad you really described the significance for you here – I think it was important to reflect on that and not just move on thinking “Yeah, that was a great race” because it was definitely more than that! It was a big milestone for you, and it certainly proves that you are continuing to get faster and be able to push yourself further, which is an awesome feeling and really the ultimate goal of being a runner. I think your competitiveness really gives you an edge in racing…I’m working on cultivating mine a little bit more. It rears its head sometimes
You had a fabulous day yesterday and I had a great time with you!
Corey @ the runners cookie´s last post ..In a hurry
Jesus lady. Could you stop blowing my mind for like a week? Because really, your superwoman status is going beyond.
Congrats!!
Wow you are a rockstar!!! I am sooo happy for you.. WOW WOW, did I say wow!
Stephanie´s last post ..Waterworks McGee
First of all congrats – you are amazingly fast! I loved this post since I can completely relate. I hate 5Ks and much, much rather run a marathon instead! But I sucked it up and signed up for one on a whim on Memorial Day. I was no where near as fast as you but I got 5th overall female and 3rd in my AG! Not too bad for someone who hates 5Ks! I guess we never really know what we are capable of until we try
HOLY MOLY! You’re a running rockstar! GREAT race
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]´s last post ..just a reminder
Ahhh!! Congrats, Lauren!!! Way to beat your nemesis! You rocked it!
Rach´s last post ..Princess Party
Congrats Lauren! That’s an amazing time.
Lee´s last post ..Weighing Myself
CONGRATS!!!
Tina´s last post ..I Think I’ll Go To Boston
I love this post, and how fast you are. Such an inspiration.
Jillian (Rant and Run)´s last post ..Can I Really Become Fast
Awesome job girl! I too ran at a D3 college. My goal was to get until 20 min cause that would always put you up front. I ran almost all my college races in the top 10, and around 20min. However, I don’t know how!! Those were the good ol’fast days. 5 yrs later and a job, I realize that I will never be that fast again. You did awesome in your race…inspired me!!
Thank you! But you never know!! I have been focusing mostly on longer races lately instead of speed, so I really didn’t expect that I had it in me. So don’t count yourself out yet!
Congrats on breaking 20!! I’ve ran very few 5ks in my life (we ran 2.5 miles in high school cross country, except for senior year when we bumped up to 3 miles), and they TERRIFY me. Twenty milers are no big deal, but 3.1 miles of pain makes me sooooo nervous. Going sub-20 would definitely be awesome and is a dream of mine if I ever muster the courage to get out there!
Susan´s last post ..my first love
I can completely relate!! I don’t know what it is about running a fast 5K that’s so intimidating. I think it just takes an entirely different mentality and way of running than I’m used to.
Did you already eat a celebratory cupcake?! Because we could make that happen
CONGRATS! You are truly amazing. My goal is a sub 30 5K, but first it’s just to be able to get back to running the entire time! Baby steps, I keep trying to remind myself!
Erin @ Big Girl Feats´s last post ..Crazy Train
I have not! Can we please make that happen!? And soon!
congrats you speeeedy girl!!! thats awesome.
congratulations on your sub-20 5K. that is seriously incredible!!!
Jen´s last post ..Let’s Get Real
Congrats on getting that PR! You’re an inspiration to push hard during a race and give it all you’ve got!
Tina@GottaRunNow´s last post ..21 Mile Run
It must be the shoes
Congrats, Lauren, for your new 5K PR!! I can tell you were working incredibly hard during the race – and you finished strong, which is one of the hardest things to do (I think)! I remember I never thought I’d run a s-25 5K after high school (I didn’t run races or meets in college), but I just decided to run one for fun and I still have it!
It’s such a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Oh, and I thought I was the only one who, in the middle of races, sometimes secretly hopes I’ll twist and ankle or fall over, usually if I’m feeling particularly bad. Glad I’m not the only one!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Congrats girl!!! YES the nemesis time and nothing feels better than beating it. Mine was definitely the 3:40 marathon. You are amazing (and so speedy!). So happy you finally got your sub 20
Aron´s last post ..Hitting the Books
oh my heck, that is AMAZING!!!!! what an amazing time!! so happy for you!!!!!
Congratulations speed demon! It seems like most people get slower post-college-days so you should be really proud of yourself.
I don’t have a nemesis, but if I don’t break 4 hours in my next marathon that will become my nemesis.
Liz´s last post ..Unplugged
I did the same exact thing as you this spring! I had never gone below 20:00, all through high school or college, and for years it has been eating away at me. I entered a random 5K during my Boston training to test my legs and I busted out a 19:47 out of nowhere! Isn’t that crazy how that happens? I finally felt like a legit runner after that race. Congrats on the PR!!!!
That IS really crazy! I don’t know if it’s because the marathon just helps you get in better all-around shape than you expected you would be…or if it has something to do with just having no pressure when you go into a race. Or maybe it’s a little bit of both. Congrats to you too!
Holy moly, you’re so speedy Lauren! Congratulations – I know you did this awhile ago, but a congrats never gets old, right?!
Thank you! And no, I have to admit that it doesn’t.
So thanks!!
Lauren,
I followed you off Jessica’s running site (See Jess Run). Thank you for your posts. I fell in love with running about 3-4 years ago while taking on my assignment in Calgary. Unlike you, I had no clue what running was about and my running friends (and runnerworld)have been my source of information.
After my 1st 10k in 2009, I have been racing regularly (about 1 race every 1 or 2 months). In May 2011, I celebrated the 2nd anniversary of racing (and got into a bet with my boyfriend) by running the Calgary Marathon. It wasn’t a stellar race, but it was magical! I ran under 4 hours (snuck in 3:58 with a very minimal marathon which consisted on a few 18 milers at the peak of the training).
I am now 2 weeks away from the Houston Marathon (1/15/2012) – I have been training hard! Hitting a 1:42 in a half about 6 weeks ago gave me that confidence you have written about here. I had 3 20-milers this time, and I am ready to enjoy the experience. Deep inside I want to hit 3:35, but I am happy with anything under 3:58
Thanks for posting your tips and race reports.
Happy Running and take care