On Saturday I ran the Flat as a Pancake 5K. I have been able to run about 30 (slow) miles per week for the last 6 weeks, so it was time to test out my fitness level and get an idea as to where I should start with training again after my very long injury/surgery. In the upcoming week, I'm going to be posting a 3-part series about my recovery from the injury/surgery.
This race was a fundraiser for the West Jordan XC Team, and the kids did a great job putting it together (except for maybe promoting the event to get more people to race). The course is as flat and accurate as you could hope for with about 1 mile on the road/track and 2 miles on dirt.
I ran a short warm-up with my friends (1+ mile) then a couple strides. The race started and a large group went out fast. I tried to hang back, knowing that going out too fast would be detrimental because of my lack of speed work. The first 1/2 mile is on the road then it's an out-and-back on the dirt canal trail. No mile markers and I forgot to start my watch, so I have no idea how fast/slow I was running. I passed several of the early sprinters then was solo for the last 2 miles. My breathing was pretty out-of-control, and I just couldn't get my legs moving faster. I hit the road again at 2.5 miles and got a boost from the faster surface. The last 350 meters are around the track and I finished in 19:13.
I had absolutely no pain and felt very much like my old self...except for a slower time :) I am so thrilled with this - I ran what I thought I was capable of (my guess was 19:15) and had no discomfort! Eight weeks ago when I could barely even run 3 miles, I ran the Draper Days 5K in 21:28 so I've made a lot of progress since then. I'm really looking forward to seeing my progress in another 8 weeks. I hope to be running sub-18 by then!
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