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Topic: Tim Paige 5K RR - Two races, one PR |
UncleSteve57
Cool Runner |
 posted May-19-2007 10:59 AM
   
Weather: 48F steady drizzle light breeze 5-10mphThe Nubs: 25:29 *** A new 5K PR *** Yeah, Me!  Previous PR 25:58 The Splits: 7:59 7:55 8:27 1:08 (That last number doesn't seem right as I was definitely haulin' it to the finish. But I can't explain it, and I'm not gonna try.) The Other Race:
I learned more than ever today that I need to develop better mental discipline. Beginning about 5 minutes in, I was beseiged by urges to slow-down-and-catch-your-breath. I fought these urges and for the most part won, but it was a major waste of mental energy. I was weakening in mile 3, but knowing I was ahead of PR pace helped keep me pushing. And then turning the final corner and seeing the finish line in the distance...well you know how that is. But it really bugs me. I ran two races today, one on the course and one in my head. I'm thoroughly Xstatic about my time, but have to believe it can be better if I can just get that lazy, quitter part of my brain to support me during races, or at least keep quiet. Nearly everyone here has more running knowledge and experience than me so I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Oh yeah...black NB shorts, black Under Armour shirt, black gloves, Brooks Addiction 7s, red headband. (How much of a fine for the headband, Ribs?) PS: Someone who posts here uses the signature "Positive thoughts, negative splits." I'm sorry I can't remember who you are, but I want to say Thanks! I used that as a mantra-shield today and it helped alot. Steve
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bigapplepie
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 11:11 AM
Great job! The mental race gets easier with practice. Thanks for the report.
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flkjr52
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 11:22 AM
Nice race and report Steve.I've done a lot of 5k's in my time and it has taken me years to figure out the mental portion of racing. I think part of it is the uncertainty of the knowledge of your physical limits as they pertain to your training but also how you feel on any particular day. I'm sure you have probably experienced the "great run" on the day you thought you didn't have it. Reading your body is so tough, both at the start and during the race. It takes a long time and many quality miles.
My only answer would be lots more races and in my experience, when you "think" you have nothing left, you always do! Fran
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Elaine3112
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 12:45 PM
Great result Steve, congrats on your PR. You are right about the mind playing games. I was in a 5 miler recently and in the last half mile I passed a guy was struggling and my mind tried to tell me that I was too. It was a real fight to get the positive thoughts back and kick for the finish. Love the mantra!
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 05:47 PM
Steve, 5K's are tough, there is no getting around it. You hung in there, though -- that's the key. Congratulations on beating the beast within. cj
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jura
Cool Runner |
posted May-19-2007 06:01 PM
Well, I think you are being a little too hard on yourself. You ran a great race, you PR'd, you fought with the urge to stop and apperently you overcame it. I believe that the "urge to stop" thing is physiological. Running above the LT is hard on the body. Unless you are in mortal danger (and your conscious mind knows you aren't) your body will scream at you to stop. You didn't, so you won that race too  .
Great job,
j
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runningindc
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 07:29 AM
UncSteve, congratulations on a race well run. You PR'd and learned about yourself. Fantastic. Thanks for the RR------------------
Running in wellness Liz Lizs Profile
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 08:15 AM
Good job on the new PR. Did you run a third race??? The one on the way home we could have run if we'd done things differently? Fartleks on the way back have helped my times a lot.------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 06:00 PM
Uncle Steve - great race, PR and RR! The mental side of running is clearly sometimes more difficult that the physical side. It something we all deal with more or less. We should really have a separate thread that deals with this ... ideas and tips on how to build mental toughness. Enjoy your victory for that is what it was!
PJ[This message has been edited by Canfit (edited May-20-2007).]
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted May-20-2007 10:44 PM
Congratulations on your shiny new PR, you earned it! I am in awe of your mental struggles as well as your race. You will undoubtedly become a better racer with practice.
No fines for your fine fashion report, in fact a red headband over a black outfit sounds very dashing!
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 10:34 AM
quote:
Originally posted by UncleSteve57:
I ran two races today, one on the course and one in my head. I'm thoroughly Xstatic about my time, but have to believe it can be better if I can just get that lazy, quitter part of my brain to support me during races, or at least keep quiet.
UncleSteve – I totally understand where you are coming from here. I will be running along, sure that I cannot go any faster or farther, but when I dig down I find that there is often a surprising amount of reserve there, if I just ignore that other part of me (my lazy, quitter self) that tells me I’m completely done in. Wish I knew the secret of turning that voice off. Great race and congratulations on your PR! ------------------
Holly
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 12:07 PM
Nice race with a PR, Uncle Steve. Congratulations. The mental aspects are definitely part of the game. It's interesting to read everyone's thoughts. Bottom line, though, is that you pushed through it and "got er done". Congratulations.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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bobscamman
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 12:30 PM
UncleSteve - a 29 second PR is awesome, congratulations. Now enjoy it and don't worry about explaining anything. As far as those mental deamons it is what it is. Racing is most definitely 50 % physical and 50 % mental and for some of us maybe not so very balanced if you know what I mean!You did a great job and you absolutely won the mental battle, keep it up and it will get easier as you go along. ------------------
My User Profile "Keep on Running"
Bob
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted May-21-2007 10:58 PM
First let me congratulate you on the BIG PR. That is a huge difference. Now let's talk about mile 3 of a fiveK. You are experiencing the gap between perceived effort and ability to run at maximum effort, and that is the reason why you slowed. This happens to everyone in a race, but seldom does anyone comment on it as honestly as you. It is important to see that if you give it your all but you are fatigued, as you should be at mile two, that feeling you have at gunning it in does not result in a split consistent with miles one and two. I often feel like I am "kicking it in" in the last tenth of a 5K, and find my split is 42 seconds, or exactly 7 minutes a mile, just a bit slower than my average pace for the race. I used to be surprised at this. No more. I don't know your program, but adding some to your endurance work and developing stamina in a hard workout once a week should help. I mention this only because you asked. Still a great performance by you. Congrats. Spareribs
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UncleSteve57
Cool Runner |
posted May-22-2007 05:28 PM
Thanks to all for sharing your support and wisdom. When I wrote the report on Sat morning just shortly after the race, I was more focused on the frustration of having had to fight the mental deamon...and wasting all that energy.Time, and your replies, have made me appreciate that I did not give in to it. I slowed some, as SpareRibs explained, because it was mile 3 and I was physically fading. But I didn't give in mentally. You all helped me see that and that's very important. Thanks. I haven't been doing fartleks SteveP, but I will start sprinkling them into my medium runs. And SR, I will be looking for ways to add stamina throughout the summer. (And likely be asking for feedback on training plans.) Thanks for the suggestions. What a great place this is. Steve
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