Blue and Gold 5k

This weekend Noel and I continued our quest to become 2012 Seashore Striders Championship Series qualifiers. We ran our first 5k on the series, the Blue and Gold 5k. Blue and Gold was fun because it ran in an area of the shore that we had never actually seen before–from Irish Eyes Lewes down through the Lewes Beach area.

This weekend also marked the end of my first official week of marathon training for the Marine Corps Marathon. My awesome friends Scott and Robyn have put together a training plan for me and we decided that I should use this race as a time trial to see what paces I should be using throughout this marathon cycle. I know this is my first marathon, but as an experienced half marathoner, I am doing some focused training and speedwork throughout this marathon cycle.

So how did it go? Well, pretty good I think. It was an out and back on an oceanfront route, and we had a serious headwind for the out portion. Add in the fact that it was in the low 70s at race time and humid, I’m happy with my time–26.37–a ten second PR for me. I did a pretty good job with my pacing–running a 8.31, 8.47, 8.41, 8.

Do I have work to do? Yes, lots of it. But I’m in better shape than I thought I was, and I’m glad to have a baseline. And it’s exciting to think that 25 minute 5k might be right around the corner.

Noel also had a great race. I’m so proud of him for going out there and doing this, and he’s getting stronger with every race. You know what else was great about this race? The after party. Irish Eyes went all out. Beer, Bloody Marys, hot dogs, hamburgers, fruit AND BAGELS? Jackpot. And seriously, the Coors Light I had at the afterparty was definitely the best Coors Light I’ve ever had.

Many thanks to Noel’s Mom for coming along, cheering us at the finish, and being our official race photographer!

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