The Quest for a Faster 5k

So I have been running for years, but I have never broken a 30 minute 5K (well, I ran a 29.59 5K in the middle of a half marathon but I don't think that counts).

So I am on a mission! I want to break my record. My fastest 5K was 2 years ago at the Garmin 5K in Kansas. It was 31.14! It was flat and it was fast! I was actually shocked at my time. Here's a little history as to why I was so shocked.

My first 5K (you can read about that here) was slow- I don't even know the time. I searched for it but it was such a small race I could not find it. I know for a fact it was somewhere between 50-60 minutes. It had to be, only because the next 5K I did was The Cherry Blossom in DC and I remember doing much better and it was 43 minutes.

When I moved to Kansas, I started really running and adding distance (like 5 and 6 miles) and I ran a couple more 5Ks at 43 and 40 minutes. Then, on a whim, I signed up a for a very small race in Lansing, KS called the Steeple Chase and I ran without stopping and my breathing was perfect...I clearly remember rounding the corner and seeing 34 minutes on the clock..what? I sprinted so hard toward the finish line and ended up clocking in at 36 minutes! I was so excited and that is when I realized I could run! Long story short...I ran a few more with times anywhere from 35 to 36.

Then came the Garmin 5K. I remember just running and enjoying it so much and as I got closer the finish I remember hearing the announcer call names and times and I heard 29 minutes...what? So I full out sprinted and clocked in at 31 minutes! Holy cow! I was over the moon! Granted it was flat, but hey! A PR is a PR, baby!

Top Left: Stephanie and me at Garmin 31:14 PR Apr. 2013

Top Middle: Cherry Blossom 43:59 Apr. 2010

Top Right: Mustache Dash 34:54 Oct. 2012

Bottom: Diva Dash: 36:06 Mar. 2013

Since then, I have been consistent and sticking around the 32 to 34 minute finish! Then I realized that training for all these further distances has made me stronger and last fall I ran a 3 miler with my husband that was extremely hilly and clocked in at 32 minutes. So I can do this! I can break it and I am following a plan! I found one online from Hal Higdon.

Super hilly 3 miler with my husband! 

Beer was very much needed after this one! 

So, this May, I am attempting to break my 5K PR! I will give it my all! 

Ready to change the PR status on my wall!

Note: the 10K time 1:29:59 it's the only 10K

I have done and it was when I had just started 

running! I need to change that, too! 

The Running Bug

This is the story of how I, Sunny ended up getting the running bug! 

So the year was 2010 and the family and I had just moved to Lorton VA and on a whim I decided to run a 5k. I had started running (or trying to run) a year earlier with my friend Jen in Dayton, OH. However I had never mastered the breathing part of running. I tried but I just couldn’t figure it out. In April of 2010 I had seen a flier for a race called the Lyme Disease 5k, and ironically it was a on a paved trail in the woods during tick season but I thought this would be a perfect first 5k for me! So I signed up!

 I also convinced my neighbor (who just had a baby) to run with me. We had about 4 weeks to train, I still had not figured out how to breathe while I ran but I was determined to do this. Something I never thought I could do. As I type this I always have thoughts back to middle school when I tried out for track my 8th grade year (you know the team where everyone gets to participate). I ended up being the  team manager. True Story!

So Shawn and I trained for 4 weeks before race day and that day came!!! I remember being so nervous! Could I actually run 3.1 miles? What if I don't finish? Akkkkkk! 

We showed up and put on our race shirts (before we knew it was a faux pas to wear the race shirt before you finish...just to note I didn't find this out until well into my racing experiences) and got all pumped up! 

 Shawn and me before the start of the race! 

My husband and kiddos surprised me with 

these super cute signs! 

So we take off out of the gate and like every newbie, I am running with the crowd! You know what I am talking about!!! Haha! 6 minute miles..I am guessing. Yeah, that lasted all of half a mile or so! Then the running crowd started to thin out which was a blessing because the majority of the race was on a paved trail.

I am not sure what part of the race this is.

I still look somewhat ok...??

But I was thinking, "Why is this lady walking

right in the middle of this race!? Ha, now I notice 

there are not a lot of runners around! 

About mile 2 I remember thinking, "This SUCKS! Why am I doing this? I can't breathe!!" But Shawn kept me motivated. She kept me moving even when I decided I need to walk! 

This picture cracks me up! Shawn is telling me,

"You got this"

Even though I ran/walked the race, I finished, and the moment I finished I thought to myself, "That sucked!" But 10 minutes later I was planning my next race! I have now RUN many races: 5k, 10k, a TUFF 7.2 (which I literally was last to finish..more on that later), 10 milers, and more than a few half marathons! 

My times, breathing, and love of running have all improved over the years. I have figured out how to pace my self and finish successfully on almost all of my runs. I sometimes have a bad race here and there which is normal for any runner but it doesn't stop me! I just keep going! All thanks to that first race with Shawn. The Lyme Disease 5k on a trail in the woods during tick season! 

Shawn and me at my first 5k!