Guess what I did yesterday on the plane?
Signed up for my first 10K race! 5 hours of free uninterrupted internet can be dangerous.
I almost actually signed up for the Philadelphia half marathon at the end of November but, I thought that might be a little too spontaneous. Training for 13.1 miles when my average run is more like 4 right now is a big commitment and I think I should take more than a couple of hours to think that one through.
6.2 miles, however, is totally doable! And, it’s my first ever 10K so automatic PR, right?
The course is described as “over scenic, shaded and rolling terrain.” Rolling terrain is to running what “cozy” is to real estate advertising. They should put that analogy on the SATs! Cozy = a nice way of saying small. Rolling terrain = a nice way of saying hilly. Check out the elevation map of the course:
That should be fun, huh? I foresee a few more neighborhood runs in my future for training.
With exactly 1 month until the race, I figured I should put together a training plan considering I can’t remember the last time I ran more than 5 miles.
I don’t have the best schedule over the next 4 weeks considering there is a 12 hour car trip to the beach, a bachelorette party weekend and a work trip that is at least 3 days longs as of right now but, I think I made it work.
I’ve found 3 days of running a week to be best for me to be able to 1. avoid burnout and 2. be able to still fit in strength training. The one thing that may need to be tweaked is doing NROLFW on days before my long run. I’ve found that the soreness after those workouts tends to last 2 days for me and therefore might not be the best idea the day before a long run.
As far as a goal for this race, I’m hesitant to put a time goal out there since this is my first 10K and it’s a hilly course. I also think the course is long by about .2 miles (which I found out during my half marathon can really mess with your time predictions!) when looking at google maps. According to race predictors, when I input my most recent longer race (HOHA 5 miler), it says I should be able to run a 10K in 51:16 which is an 8:14 pace. That seems pretty lofty to me right now so I’m going to set a more realistic goal of under 55 minutes (8:51 pace). I’m pretty sure I can meet or even beat that. Typically with races, I like to pick a pretty attainable time goal so when I do beat it, it feels even better. Setting yourself up for success, right?
I’ll reevaluate the Philly half marathon after this race. On one hand, I would be half way to the half marathon mileage in training after this and I do love running in the fall so it’s perfect timing but, on the other hand, I don’t miss the time commitment of half training at all!
What are your upcoming races?
Anyone raced Philadelphia before?
How do you set race goals for yourself?
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
oh how the days of “work on the flight 24/7” have passed…thankfully :)
Oh how young and stupid we were… ;)
I am running this weekend…just 3 miles but it is suppose to be really muggy. The shirt has the cute lobster on it though so I am happy.
That much alone time on the internet is dangerous!
Have fun on your 10k! I sign up for things on a whim all the time and then the event comes around I’m like..whoa…what did I do ?! haha!
girl I AM THINKING ABOUT DOING THE HALF IN PHILLY TOO!!!! never ran a half before but i WANT TO once these injuries go away!!!
lets do itttttt
Have fun! I did my first 10k last Nov. After I did it I’d say I’d never race again, but I’ve already done another 5k since and want to shoot for a half.
Ohmygosh that is awesome! congrats on the sign-up girl!!!! You’ll rock it!
That’s awesome. I’ve never done a 10K before, but would like to!
Ahh good luck lady! I love the 10k distance… like Anna said, not too short and not too long!
My next race is a 5k I am running with my mom on Sunday :)
Have fun with your mom! That’s super cute. My mom has been doing the couch to 5K program, I should get her to sign up for a smal 5K with me, great idea!
Fun! I think 10k races are a great length– not too short and not too far!
A 10K is definitely a good starting point! You’ll rock it!
My upcoming races include my first half marathon (Rock n Roll) in October and I’ll also do the Rock n Roll in Las Vegas in December although I haven’t signed up for it yet.
Since these are my first big races, the goal is just to finish. The next ones will have loftier time goals.