This race recap can be summarized in five words: get after it and holy crap.
On Saturday morning, I ran the 8th Annual Canton Road Race at Reebok Corporate Headquarters. When I arrived, I found Elizabeth and then the other Fitfluential ambassadors (Sarah, Robin, Katie, Mattie, and Kelly), who were also running the race.
Reebok provided us with matching outfits (Play Dry Short Sleeve Top in aubergine and Seamless Capri Tights in black), so we had no trouble finding each other.
Before the start of the race, I have to admit, I wasn’t feeling it. It was gray and rainy, and I’d only run 3 miles in the past month, so I wasn’t feeling very fast and I definitely wasn’t expecting to PR or run a sub-24-minute 5K. I planned to have a good time and just run the best race that I could.
When the gun went off, I was still fumbling around with my Timex GPS watch and Pandora on my iPhone, so I didn’t get off to a great start, but, thankfully, things turned around. The first mile of the race was all down hill and my legs felt great, so I flew! At one point, I looked down at my watch and it said 6:47! Whoa.
At the start of mile 2, we ran through a beautiful wooded area in Canton. It was hilly, so my pace slowed down quite a bit. I knew I needed to stay below an 8-minute mile to break 24-minutes, but the two times I glanced down at my watch, it read 8:15 and 8:30, so, at this point, I definitely didn’t think it was possible.
However, right before the final mile marker, I looked at my watch again and my total elapsed time was 15-something. I did some quick math and realized if I could bust out the last mile, I might be able to break 24 minutes.
I figured the final mile couldn’t be any worse than a CrossFit workout, so I got after it and ran my little heart out. My legs and lungs burned and the f-word came to mind about a dozen times, but I didn’t slow my pace. If anything, I ran faster and faster as I approach the finish line. I looked at the clock as I ran over the mats and it said 23:50-something, so I was pretty sure I did it!
After the race, I found Elizabeth and headed inside to Reebok to take advantage of their 25% discount for race participants. I had my eye on the CrossFit Long Sleeve Tee, but I ended up buying Mal a Workout Ready Tech T-Shirt. (He’s been into neon lately.)
When we came back outside, the race results were posted, so I immediately headed over to see my time. Moment of truth.
I did it!!!!! Woohoo! Check it out: 23:51, average pace of 7:40! I even came in 6th place for my age group!
I still can’t believe I ran a sub-24 5K. After missing it by 23 seconds on my previous attempt, I was starting to worry I might not be able to do it, so I really surprised myself on Saturday, especially since I’ve haven’t been running and flaring for 6 weeks now. Saturday’s race totally made my weekend, and I achieved one of my big goals for 2012. Thank you, Reebok and Fitfluential for helping me make it happen!
71 Comments
Great Job!! Way to PR!! Man, that is FAST! Love the Reebok outfits too!
Congrats on an amazing time! I love that you guys had matching outfits!
AWESOME job Tina!! I know that’s been a huge goal for you!
Congrats!!! I realized this year that I run my fastest and strongest races after a long break from running. I placed 2nd in my age group in a smaller 5k in June, which I never thought I’d ever do and I also had a surprise 10K PR after an extended running break. Maybe you’re like me — running less might just be the key for us.
@Dori: Ditto! I definitely think less running is good for my body! š
Congratulations!!!!!! I’m so happy for you!! That has to feel soo good!
Well done!!!
Congrats! You are a machine š
Congratulations Tina! You are such an inspiration. I’m sorry for all you have been dealing with, but want you to know that you continue to inspire me to be a better me. Woohoo!
@Corrie @ Blurb Column: š
Woohoo! Congrats girl!
Wow! That’s awesome–congratulations!!!
Big congrats! Breaking PRs = racing bliss!
Congrats on the PR! Sounds like Crossfit is helping you become stronger and faster!
What a great race!! You are killing it girl! š
So rad!
Post brought my tears Tina, knowing how big running achievements are! Congratulations!!
Congrats on the PR! That’s awesome!
I just signed up for my first 5k today (my first race ever), and I only hope I can run that fast some day. I’m still pretty average, but my times have been getting faster recently since I started adding in strength training again.
Thanks for posting this one. It’s great motivation!
Congrats on your time! That is the best feeling when you run a great race when you least expect it! My best race times have come at races that I didn’t think I was prepared for….makes me wonder how much mental stress impacts my performance! š
Congrats on the great run! Love your matching outfits, cute Reebok tops!
That is such an awesome time! Especially with no training! Congratulations!
wow – thats so awesome! great job!!
Congrats on that time! Awesome job.
Awesome! Congratulations on a great race! š
Wow, that is awesome. Congrats!!!
Congrats on the PR! That had to feel awesome!
Nice!!! I guess CF gave you the mental power that you needed for this! Imagine what you could do if you ran more often? š
Woo get it girrrl! That’s exciting! Congrats!
Congrats! That’s awesome! I ran 4 miles yesterday and was stoked that my average pace was 9:30 – which for me is awesome! I’m running my first race at the end of the month and I’m so excited!
Awessssome! You are speedy! And I don’t think MOST things are worse than a Crossfit workout, lol. I need to remember that the next time I begrudgingly do my interval runs!
You are a speed demon!!! Good for you š Hard work pays off and obviously cross-fit has helped your running capabilities without knowing it!
CONGRATS on the PR! that’s so exciting!
Congrats! That is damn impressive. š
Congratulations!!! and great race recap!!! Do you carry your phone to take snaps??
Yep! š
Wow congrats on the time! Sounds like a great race!
Congratulations, Tina! Way to go on an awesome PR š
awesome job! taking a slower start can actually hugely help you in the long (or 5k) run š
That first mile got you off to a great start — downhill slope and adrenaline make for speedy results!!
@JV: Totally! š
A BIG congrats to you Tina!!! Way to get your PR!! Love the matching outfits.
Congrats on the PR!!
Awesome race, Tina!
Great job Tina!! That’s fantastic!
Congrats, Tina! That’s so neat that you all had matching outfits!
That’s awesome. Strong work.
congrats on running your little heart out! You are still my fitness hero haha
Aww, thanks! š
You are fast!!! I am happy anytime I can finish a 5K in under 30 minutes, lol!
Oh, and I would have had more than the F word coming out of my mouth……I am sure I would have puked.
Awesome job Tina! That is crazy fast! Maybe I need to pretend I’m doing a CrossFit WOD in the middle of my runs and that will help me push through! Thanks for the idea!
Get it! That is so awesome!
I have been injured for what feels like forever now so I love hearing how killing it in other forms of exercise hasn’t hampered your 5k too much š
Great inspiration for me!
NICE job on the race! It is all that crossfit, making you strong.
The Kidless Kronicles
That is a fantastic PR; I’m very jealous. How much do you attribute to crossfit vs. the steroids you were just prescribed?
Ha! I had been on steroids for 3 hours when I ran the race, so I think it was more CrossFit and adequate rest days than anything else. Plus, Predisone is not an anabolic steroid (aka muscle-building).
That’s so awesome! Congrats on the PR. I hope I can PR my 1/2 marathon coming up. You definitely inspire me to go for it!
Goooooood luck! š
Wow congrats on hitting that goal! That’s so speedy! š