Respect the 5K
The other day my Ironman coworker came to my desk to tell me all about his first full marathon (he’s done a few Ironmans but never a standalone marathon). After we talked about his race, he asked me if I am training for anything. I told him a 5K.
He gave me a blank look.
Then said, “What? Come on!”
We’re good friends, so his comment didn’t bother me, but I knew what he was thinking – I am a distance runner, why I am training for a race as short as a 5K?
5K Face
Because I want to get faster. 5Ks are HARD. Training for a 5K is HARD. Training to race a 5K intimidates me more than training for a marathon. My version of marathon training is all about middle distance runs and sloooow long runs. I can put in miles and miles because I am running so slow.
5K training is mostly about SPEED! There is no way I will break my PR (23:53) without doing speedwork. And speedwork is intimidating! I almost always feel great when I am doing it and after it’s done, but there is definitely some anticipation about it.
And even just thinking about the race… racing a 5K is painful! You’re close to your maximum speed for most of the race. I figure if I don’t feel like throwing up for at least the last mile, I am doing it wrong (<– does anyone else feel that way or is it just me?).
Anyway, the 5K distance is worth respecting. It’s tough.
And the fact that that is my next goal race, rather than a marathon, does not make me any less of a runner! Despite what some people think* running is NOT only about running marathons. I was really serious when I said I am NOT registering for another marathon until I lose some weight and keep it off. I need to quit clowning around with my health.
And I love long runs – so I am still going to fit them into my 5K training. So there.
Oops. This ended up being kind of ranty, but I didn’t mean it to! I just thought my coworker’s reaction was interesting. And it got me thinking about a lot of other things. I am trying to be more loose with my running this year – instead of having a bunch of goal races, listen more closely to my body and see where it gets me. Let’s see how long I can stick with that. Ha ha.
*irl peeps, not you all
Themocracy
AMEN.
My favorite line: “running is NOT only about running marathons”. Double Amen.
ps…I heart your 5K face.
Amen to the 5Ks are hard statement – which is a fact! I actually just ran a 5K over the weekend and was 10 seconds SLOWER PER MILE than the 10K I ran last month. I think it is really hard to mentally push yourself that hard, unless you’ve trained for it.
I think playing around with other distances will keep running way more interesting for you.
That 5k that you pulled me to a PR at in August? Seriously one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. I felt worse after that than after a long run. That surprised me!
I’m with you – 5k’s are no joke, if you are racing them. (now a 5k fun run? totally different story!) It’s HARD to go balls out for 3.1 miles!
“I figure if I don’t feel like throwing up for at least the last mile, I am doing it wrong” HAHA SO TRUE!! When I’m finished, if I’m not keeled over, I keep thinking I didn’t run it hard enough!
I wonder what your coworker would think about Coach Holly who says that the 3K is her favorite distance 🙂
You’re correct that training to run a fast 5K is hard! By the way, what is your goal time? Or do you just want to break your PR?
I would like to come in at 23:00. Or really, 22:59!
Umm…yeah, 5Ks are totally hard. I honestly don’t like them much due that who feeling like you are going to puke the entire time thing.
I think you’re right. It doesn’t get as much respect. But people who only run one or the other don’t really get it- it IS about running for speed, not distance. It’s a different race mentality. Respect. :p
I love this post so much! Sometimes, it’s hard to consider myself a runner since I’m not out there running marathons. I stick to 5K and I like that distance. Maybe one day I’ll run a half-marathon or even a marathon (HAHAHAHAHAHA) but for now, I like the shorter distances.
Yes! It’s funny because I haven’t really run any significant race (or really distance) since high school and I started back a few months ago with a 10k. It felt great, I ran most of it, my body felt good. I ran a 5k last month, I felt like death. Thanks for posting this, it reminded me of just how hard 3.1 miles can be!
I’m not a long distance runner by any definition, but I think its fair to say that 5k is a freaking long way, and its far from easy. Especially because like you said, you’re pushing to go fast.
I absolutely love your outlook on this. And I completely agree with you that running a fast 5k is super hard. I think that’s why i’ve put myself in the distance running category…as it’s easier for me to run a long distance slower instead of a short distance faster. I’m excited for you and excited that you are playing around with your running goals!
Well lets hope that you’re not puking all over yourself, but if you are that’s okay too because that just means that you are 100% hardcore. 5k training is hard and taxing on the bod, and quite honestly I think that it is more difficult then training for a marathon.
Those darn ironmen making the rest of us mere mortals feeling guilty for only racing 3 miles.
I love your post!! It got me thinking differently about racing and running!! I think you are such a great runner, 5k or marathon :-).
A 5K is ABSOLUTELY still a legit race! And I agree – I think they are more challenging. Speed is not my strong point, so they are especially difficult for me!
I totally agree with you. I think people forget how hard it is to run fast because they get so focused on running long and often don’t go back to the 5k. There is such a negative stereotype about them as being “easy” and it’s kind of ridiculous that people think 5k’s are nothing.
Yeah, I like your attitude, too. Who needs race snobs?
How do you feel about someone slowly walking a 3K? 😉
I think getting out and exercising is good, no matter how fast you do it. You just have to be mindful of where you start the race – start toward the back of the line if you’re going to walk 😉
I totally respect the 5k and one of the runners at work told me that if I get good at 5ks then I have done well. She is a distance gal too but totally respects the 5ks and their work. As she told me, it is a different kind of running and don’t let people tell you it isn’t worthy.
I think most peole equate 5k with ‘fun run’. But you’re right: to do your best at a 5k you need to train for speed. Which hurts…in a good way of course. If I could only do one race for the rest of my life it would be a 5k. I am a fast-twitch muscle kind of girl.
You are not alone in your urge to puke in the last mile. Way to go leaving it all out there!
I found that when I was training for a half and a 15k, my 5k time dropped. I definitely think if you keep the same higher mileage (30+/week) and add in some speed work you will set a new 5k PR! I found doing tempo runs worked well to increase my ability to run faster 5ks.
I totally agree with you. I think a 5K is just as hard as the longer races. It’s just a different kind of hard. It’s either lots of pain for a short amount of time, or a little pain for a long amount of time.
BTW – I’m jealous of your 5K PR! I really wanted to break 24:00 this year (and probably would have once if I hadn’t accidentally run off the course and added some distance…oh well)
That is it exactly – a different kind of hard!
And thank you! I bet you have it in you. Maybe some time late next year? Or the year after? 🙂
Yeah, let’s give it a few years…ha!
And, who says every race has to be hard. Sometimes it’s nice to do a race for the fun of it.
I don’t even really like racing 5ks but I think it has to do with how fast I used to be compared to how fast I am now. In high school I ran a 22:xx 5k cross country style and now my “adult” PR is 24:02. I guess I could train for a 22:xx but it does make me want to vomit just thinking about it!! (I actually have thrown up during/after several 5k races when I was in high school)