Fools 5K Race Report

By , April 2, 2011 11:59 am

When I found out my brother’s wedding was today I immediately checked to see if the Fools 5K was today – I ran it in 2007 (in 30:30) and it is always around April 1st (hence the name). I found out it was today and signed up, and decided I would only run it if I didn’t have anything wedding-wise going on. Well, as you can guess from the title, I was able to run!


I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run competitively or just for fun. The field was pretty big – over 800 registrants (60% increase for this race from 2010) – and I haven’t been training for this 5K specifically. But you know me. I went all out.

Long story short? A classic case of starting too fast and finishing slow. BUT, I did set a new PR of 23:53. That is right! One whole SECOND off of my previous PR!

My goal was to run 7:30s. Here is what happened (Garmin stats here):

Mile 1: 7:10
Mile 2: 7:37
Mile 3: 7:55
Mile 3.16: 1:07 (6:51mm)
Average Garmin Pace: 7:32
Average Race Pace: 7:42 (I ran too far off the tangents)


I felt really strong mentally during this race, and was pushing it hard… until I hit 2 miles on my watch then made a right turn and saw the 2 mile sign at the turnaround (going back the wrong way). The sign was misplaced at 2.4 miles and it was all I could think about – the course being long. It wasn’t, but it really messed with me. I need to work on that!

But, I still did well! I placed third in my age group, and 93 out of 700 or so racers.

I didn’t expect anyone to come, because of the wedding being today, but my aunt, Sue, and Steven came with me, and my dad showed up and surprised me! I was excited they were all there!

Originally, my cousin’s boyfriend was going to run this with me, but a few days after he signed up, he tore the ligaments in his ankle playing basketball, and now he’s wobbling around in a boot and crutches. What a bummer! It would have been fun to run together!

I should note, it was in low 40s and sunny for this run. And it’s going to warm up to the 50s! A perfect day for a wedding!

Other notes from the run:

  • They put our names on our bibs. Love that!
  • I need to learn to run tangents. I actually ran 3.16 and probably took more than a second off my PR!
  • I cannot wear those capris to race. They are too big and start to fall down when I run fast!
  • I need to start closer to the start line for non chip-timed runs!
  • The stomach cramp came earlier during this run, at 1.5 miles. I was able to block it mentally, but then the mile marker thing messed with me.

26 Responses to “Fools 5K Race Report”

  1. Amy says:

    Wow! Great job!!! Another PR and you look so happy in the pictures! Now, go have a blast at the wedding!

  2. Erin says:

    Man oh man! Great job!!!!

    The self-doubt and mental weakness is my main downfall when racing, too. I’m going to try and work on that tomorrow.

  3. Victoria says:

    great time! have a fabulous time at the wedding!!!

  4. Heidi says:

    Great job, such a speedy time! It looked like a nice morning to be racing out there!

  5. Jen says:

    YAY! Great job you speed demon!

  6. bobbi says:

    You are AWESOME!! Have fun at the wedding!

  7. Kristi says:

    Congrats on the PR! That’s fast!!! Great pics, too.

  8. Kierstan says:

    Nice work! Enjoy the wedding.

  9. Michel says:

    Way to go you!!!! You had perfect weather today!

  10. Sweeeet! Great job!!

  11. J says:

    Congrats on the PR! One second is still one second! You did awesome! Have fun at the wedding!

  12. Kayla says:

    Great job Kim!!! Congrats on the PR! Hope you have a great time at the wedding and enjoy your weekend with the family!

  13. Kandi says:

    Congrats! Sounds like you had a great race! 🙂 Perfect weather.

  14. RoseRunner says:

    nicely done! I’ve never run a 5k, but I’m kind of interested. It just sounds so hard to me, to sprint instead of “run”

    • kilax says:

      With the pace you ran for your recent half, I think you should definitely try a 5K. You will go away with an AG win for sure. They are really hard though. Much harder, imo, than a half!

  15. Kristina says:

    Nicely done! You look great too – happy and strong! I would say it was a win-win situation in every sense of the word.
    Hope that the wedding was fun too!

  16. Jamie says:

    Congrats on the new PR and AG award!

  17. Megan says:

    So cool you were still able to fit in a race– and congrats! One second counts 🙂

  18. kerri says:

    way to go!!
    when roadID announced their new belt-buckles coming out i requested suspenders. my tights got pretty saggy this winter! when they release the roadID running suspenders i’ll let you know!

  19. Congrats on such a great race!! 🙂

  20. Girl that is CRAZY fast!!!! Way to fit it in 🙂

  21. Mica says:

    Congratulations on the awesome race and the PR! Look, you even did it without a pacer!!

    • kilax says:

      Hey, that’s true! 🙂 I didn’t even think about that.

      Did you see the article in the May RW about pacers/rabbits?

  22. Holly says:

    WHOA, Kim – CONGRATS!!! That is so, so fast!! And congrats on your new PR 🙂

  23. Adam says:

    CONGRATS!!! Third in your age group is amazing – but honestly I think 93rd out of 700 is even better.

    That mile marker in the wrong spot would have screwed with anyone.

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