Sunday marked the third and final race in this year’s Tour de Patrick. I can’t believe it’s over already, but it was a perfect way to start my 2013 racing season.
The first race, the Irish 5k, took place last Saturday. I was hoping for a PR, but was off by 1:04. Official time: 25:30 – 176 of 934 participants. I can’t complain about that considering I didn’t train, and my shoe came untied mid-race!
Me and my friend Kelly, post-race. She PR’ed by 2 minutes, hence the very proud look!
Next up was the St. Pats 5k in Providence. Me, Kelly, Megan (my roommate), and our friend Tania decided we’d run this race together, and I’d run it at their pace since it’s always crowded and kinda hilly. I’m glad I decided that in advance – there was no way I could’ve PR’ed this race unless I started at the very front of the pack with the elite runners. It was so difficult to dodge the crowds of over 3200 runners! Toward the end of the race I had told the girls we should pick up the pace – the crowds had thinned a bit and we had more room to move. Tania took that as an opportunity to go like hell and she beat me and Megan by 40 seconds! Megan finished in 31:07, a fantastic time for someone who ran for the first time this year the Monday before race day! And, Kelly PR’ed – AGAIN!
Kelly, Me, Megan, and Tania before the race!
Then there was the Guinness Celtic 5k – the race where I was supposed to PR. Welllll again I say – you can’t expect to PR if you don’t train for it. Plus it was pretty cold at the start and I haven’t done much outdoor running this winter due to multiple snow storms clogging up my favorite run paths. I was on target for a PR during Mile 1 and Mile 2, but suddenly the cold air caught up to my lungs and I just couldn’t breathe. Mile 3 ended up so much slower than the first two, but I still ended up with a 25:31 overall time.
The best part is – even without running at my peak performance level – I placed 84 out of the 279 people that ran the entire Tour de Patrick! Imagine what I can do if I actually train?
So, what do you do to celebrate the end of a fun 5k series, even if you didn’t PR (but your friend did – Kelly PR’ed AGAIN at the Celtic 5k – she’s amazing!). Well, you find an Irish pub along the parade route in Worcester and party!
Clearly we’re having fun…
Now I start training for real – my next race is the Newport 10 Miler on April 28th. I’ve never run a 10 mile race before, and I’m still trying to calculate my anticipated finish time…
What’s next on your race agenda?
A 25 min 5k is a KILLER time. You should be proud! I would kick a dragon’s butt to be able to run a 5k that fast! My next race is a 5k at my nieces & nephew’s school this Saturday. I would LOVE to PR & redeem myself from my Valentine’s Day 5k, but not sure if that will happen. I haven’t run in a week because of shin splints.