Ahh, the Round Lake Frosty Footrace*. My town’s 5K. A race I’ve run every year since 2009.
This used to be my goal 5K race, yes, every year. I love running in the cold, and like training hard in the winter.
But you know what I don’t love, in a 5K? Hills. This course has them, sprinkled in the first and last mile. And they don’t get easier, year after year (Wait! Should I be hill training?! Ha ha).
So this year, I had this race planned as a speed workout/tune-up for my goal 5K in three weeks. My plan (hope) was an average pace of 7:15 minute miles.
Ha ha, this photo reminds me that there were children lined up at the start line (this race is not chip timed) and that I kind of had to … nudge a few of them out of the way to get going at the start
I came very close – about 7:20/7:25 pace average with a 22:58 finish – a course PR by 29 seconds and a second place age group placement!
My first two miles were on track, like I thought they’d be – 7:05 and 7:12. I knew to push it in those miles, on the flats and downhills, and whenever the wind was at my back. Oh yeah. The weather. 13° F with 11 mph winds from the NW. Fun.
I knew I’d slow at the hill in the third mile. I did – 7:49 (eek!). I tried to push it for the last .1(3) – :50 (6:46 pace)Â – just to finish under 23:00! Success!
Steven caught my “I gotta finish under 23:00” face
I had almost the same finish time as the flat 5K I did in Dec (22:57 then vs. 22:58 now), so this is promising that the speedwork is helping, since I could do that time on a harder course.
But… I just wasn’t in to it during the race. I was out there thinking “why do I do this?!” and “do I want to do this again in 20 days?!” (now 19!) Ugh. We’ll see.
Tidbits:
- We got a mug and stocking cap! I love mugs! And they had a hot chocolate bar after the race. Fun!
- Three other people from Efit raced and everyone placed (and finished in front of me!)! I knew I may have started out too fast when Yvonne ran with me for a bit. Oops!
- At least 30 people complimented me on my tights!
- Steven spectated/took pics AND my older brother and his girlfriend were there! They happened to be in town this weekend and spent the night and stayed for the race! How sweet!
- I got much needed redemption from the December 5K at this race! That’s all I’ll say about that.
- Yeah, not sure about another 5KÂ in 19 days. I was 20+ seconds slower than my PR at this race and want to run a 21:59 for my next PR. Seems like a long shot. Although I’d probably actually rest for it and not run 16 miles the day before like I did for this. And… I did run a PR at this race in 2013 then take almost 50 seconds off it, just under three weeks later, at the course I am thinking about running for this year’s attempt. So. We’ll see.
- The girl who normally wins this race wasn’t at the starting line when the race started. I saw her pass me in the first mile and was shocked she was behind me. She still won, and was third overall. I think she started behind everyone!
- I love that the proceeds from this race benefit the seniors’ programs at the park district! It’s nice the money goes back in to the community!
*renamed the Frostie Bites Hot Chocolate Footrace 5K this year because of the sponsor
Congrats! I think you should definitely go for it again on the less challenging course. 😉
Thanks! Ugh. It just seems so hard! Ha ha! Before this race, I thought, “Kim, remind yourself ‘I can do hard things’ during the race.” Did I remember? NO!
That’s still a great time even if it isn’t a PR. A flat course and some rest and you could take a lot of time off your PR. I do love those tights. You always have such nice workout gear.
Thanks! I was pleased with the time and definitely wasn’t expecting a PR (and wasn’t really sure about a course PR, either!).
Ha ha – I coveted them for sooooo long. I love crazy tights! And these ones are meant for running, so they are really nice!
Congrats girl! That’s a great time for a hilly, wintery course 🙂 You are very inspirational and you’ve got great tights!
Thanks!
Congrats! That’s a great time! I’m sure you’ll do great at your next 5K too!
Love training hard in the winter?? You are a rare breed 😛
Thank you!
Ha ha ha, I know. I can only think of one other person who loves it like I do.
hmm let’s think about this: It was effing cold, it was windy, hilly, you ran 16 the day before, you had a week of heavy running after a light week, and there were kids in the way. 🙂 Of course you have a shot at your goal at the next 5k!
And then after that the focus is on the ultra and slow, fun miles. hahah. See, light at the end of the tunnel!
Even Chevy came and cheered for you! I’m glad you had a good cheering section, even in the cold. Great job on the race!
Yay! Voice of reason! I am not sure why I forgot about all of that stuff during the race, when it felt hard! 😉 I will make sure to rest for that one. LR the day AFTER the race 🙂
Yes, slow, fun miles! Well, minus those weekly tempo runs for WI 😉
Hee hee! Chevy looked so funny to me with her long winter coat! 😀 It was so awesome they were there!
Thank you!
Sounds like a great race and congrats on the great time on a hilly course! The hot chocolate bar sounds awesome 🙂
Thank you!
Yes! I think it was such a fab idea!!!
Ummmmm….you feet are NOT touching the ground in that first pic!! Amazeballs!! LOVE your effort face in the last pic!!!
Don’t you dare question your ability to get the job done in 19 days!!! Believe it, own it, it’s YOURS!!! Take the wheel and GO!
Amazing race report! Way to go!!
LOL! I will let you know that I chose the pic of me with my feet not touching the ground, cause the other ones… where not so good! Ha ha ha! Yay for lots of photo options 😉
You are right! I have been training for it. I should go for it (IF the wind is right that day, ha ha). And maybe I will see you there, too….?
Thanks! 🙂
I’ve seen some great “gotta finish!” faces. Sounds like a good race and love the hot chocolate bar! What a great way to warm up after a freezing cold race.
Yeah! They used to have soup after this race, but I think the hot coco is even better! (not that any are ever vegan, but it’s nice for other people! 🙂 )
1) great job on the race!!
2) best. Tights.ever.
Thanks!
And I have a matching top and arm warmers for the pants! Maybe I will go full robot at my next race 🙂
Yes, the pic with your feet both off the ground is bad ass! I loved this recap, because I love blow by blow race recaps and post-race analysis on what went right and what needs improvement. Anyway, so many positives to take away from this race. You kept a decent even pace despite the hill during mile 3. You ran a course PR in speed killing wind and cold, wearing extra layers of clothing and weaving around kids. Also, it was a good speed workout/strength builder which will pay dividends for your next warmer/flatter/less windy/slower-first-mile 5k! Looking forward to reading your next 5k post when you attempt a shiny new PR! By the way, nice tights!
Aww, thank you! 😀 What a nice comment 🙂
I didn’t even think about the extra layers. Ha, funny, since I have been saying I feel like a stiff robot, running with all those clothes on! You know I love cold weather running, but I usually wear a tank, arm warmers, and shorts for this race! Hee hee.
I will probably go for that PR 😉 Shouldn’t be too hard to PR, at least, since I was pretty close here. Now, PR by 39 seconds…? hmmmmmm
A PR by 39 seconds is ambitious, but you have it in you, based on your first two miles from “The Frosty”. I find having a preset “sprint spot” at around mile 2.7 keeps me somewhat in check pace-wise for the first two and a half miles, knowing I can’t fully sprint until I get there. After I pass that spot it’s suicide sprint time! Woo hoo!
The best thing about 5Ks? They’re over quickly 🙂 And, even if you don’t hit your goal at one it doesn’t take as long to recover and try it again.
I think you’ll break 22, though. I mean, this race is TOUGH and, as Rachel mentioned, the weather and your long run the day before probably contributed. If you ran that time on a tough course on tired legs I bet you’ll blow your PR out of the water on rested legs on a flat course 🙂
Ha ha! But they feel soooooooooo long when you are in them. Well, the last mile does 🙂
Thanks for your vote of confidence! We will see what I can do at the next one. It’s not flat, but flatter than this! 😀 And I have a pacer!
What an AWESOME picture Steven got of you! That’s determination if ever I did see it 🙂
5Ks are just the worst, but I find a fast finish in them to be *so* rewarding. I mean, most race finishes are rewarding, but for me at least there’s something about looking at my watch and seeing just how fast I was able to run that really makes me proud of myself (even if I think I’m going to die at the end haha 😛 ). I bet since you did so well at this race you could really knock it out of the park in a couple weeks, as long as the weather is all right!
Ha ha, thanks! He was like “you have to see this pic I got of you!”
Yes! 5Ks, more than any other distance, do give you that “dayum, I CAN be speedy!” feeling. Which, is pretty awesome, to see what you can do! 🙂 When is your next one?
Congratulations on a great race! The 5K is truly a dreaded distance (as your photo so clearly demonstrates lol) and you rocked it despite wind/cold/tired legs/wild children. I LOVE that photo of you powering through the last mile! Amazing haha frame it 😛
PS I adore winter running too! I’m already fearful of the summer heat, even as I run in the freezing temps and painful wintery wind…
Thanks! Wild children. Giggle!
Sigh. Summer running. I stink so bad at it, but I do feel like the more I do it, the more I can do in it. Ugh.
Congrats on a great race! I’m very impressed – I haven’t run/”raced” a 5K in over 3 years!
Can’t wait to see what you’ll do on a flat course and better weather!
Thanks! Do you think you will do one this year? I swear, it’s the hardest distance! LOL
Freakin’ awesome!! Great job on the pace 🙂 I love the grit face pic – good capture.
I was trying to figure out the tights – Star Wars, robotic looking for sure, but I can’t quite place what they are from. They look great, makes you look ready to roll!
I am with you winter is the time to push the speed, last winter was awesome for me, not so much this year but you can’t win them all right. You are going to crush that next race – no worries!
They are robotic leg tights – no specific movie reference or anything 🙂 Go, go, robot legs! Ha ha!
I am always surprised when people choose summer for speedwork, cuse that is the worst time of year for me! ha ha! Everyone’s different! 🙂
Wow, great job, and how awesome is that finishing pic??
Congrats on a great race and love that picture of you at the end.
Wow, awesome race! I didn’t realize that this wasn’t your PR — you’re so speedy! But ugh, every year you write about this 5K, I’m like, “REALLY? HILLS ON A 5K?” It just seems so cruel!
Thanks! I am going to try for a PR on a flat course in IA in April. These hills are cruel (and they aren’t even that bad for this area!).