I have a LOVE H A T E relationship with running. But this year, this “training” cycle, something is working. I’m training way less than I used to, but over a two week period I PR’d my 5K time TWICE. The latest was AFTER a 17 mile bike ride – HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!
On April 30th, I ran a 5K at the Philly Zoo. This was not easy as the paths throughout the zoo are narrow and we started at the back of the pack. Obviously, we had to make a bathroom stop before the run! The first mile was super slow as I was trying to weave my way around the walkers and strollers – 10:37. This was the first time EVER (training or race) that I had negative splits! Mile 2 – 8:28. Mile 3 – 8:11! That race I would have considered my ideal time at 27:21.40.
Two weeks later I decided to finally get on my bike, the triathlon was 5 weeks away and I had yet to try out the new bike or even get a ride in. No expectations for the day, I told myself I would bike 30 minutes out and come back. As I changed shoes I ate a Phat Fudge packet and had a few sips of water. Again, I set out with no expectations, I just wanted to run 3 miles without stopping. Honestly thought this was a struggle. As I ran up the hill to my car I looked down at my phone and saw that I was CRUSHING IT. How was that possible, I felt like I was running so slow and my form was awkward as hell (at least that’s how it felt after the bike). So I decided I was going to see what my 5K time would be and ran around the parking lot until my phone hit 3.1. To my surprise I killed that run – 25:31. HOW?!?!
I have been in complete shock with how I was able to run my best 5K time EVER after an hour bike ride. Over the past week I’ve done a lot of reflection trying to figure out what I did to get here and realized this time around I have completely changed the way I train, especially when there is a race in my future.
