In 2011, I had a revelation that if you want to be a certain type of person, you have to behave in a certain way (duh, Caitlin). If I want to be nicer, I need to stop gossiping. If I want to do community service, I actually have to volunteer. If I want a better marriage, I need to make the effort. If I want to be active and healthy, I actually have to do it… not just wish it from the couch while watching a Law and Order marathon. Sounds pretty obvious, but I really tried to embody the concept this year… be the person you want to be. And that’s why I decided to spend the morning of 12/31/2011 ‘setting the tone’ for the next year with a fun 5K.
The New Year New You 5K was the smallest race that I have ever done. I love small races (cheaper, less traffic), but I have never done a 40-person event before!
The 5K was in a really pretty neighborhood with rolling hills. I was a bit concerned at the start that I would get separated from the pack and get lost (I knew there wasn’t police support) but the course was well-marked with chalk arrows, and I was always near someone else.
This was BabyHTP’s second race – we did a 5K earlier this month, too! My goal for this race was the run the entire time. I woke up feeling rather sore (mysteriously sore – I’m at that point in pregnancy that I get sore from just laying the wrong way in bed) so I didn’t set any time goals.
Predictably, I helped bring up the rear.
Nothin’ wrong with hanging out in the back… I’m getting my money’s worth that way! More time on the course.
But guess what? I ended up beating my previous pregnancy 5K time by nearly a whole minute – I finished in 30:27. I was pretty surprised and proud when I saw the clock. Running is definitely getting harder, but there’s something to be said for pacing well!
Pre-race fuel was a large bowl of banana oats:
And post-race, I went far too long without a snack and ended up housing an entire frozen pizza out of hunger.
And now I’m going to face-plant back in bed for a lovely snooze. Three cheers for holidays on a Saturday!
Happy New Year’s Eve!
Do you prefer large races or small races? Why?
If you are running for speed then smaller races. You’ll be able to fly from start to finish without running around people the whole time.
However, large races usually have a certain degree of excitement and anticipation in the air. I feel that vibe motivates me to push as fast as I can and do my absolute best.