Trick or Treat Trail Run Race Goals

I went back and forth for quite a few weeks about running the 5k or the 10k for the Trick or Treat race. It's the weekend before my half marathon, and it's in costume, so both were weighing on my decision making. On one hand, I thought I'd be better suited for a 10k, given I've been training for a 10 mile and half marathon this fall, but thought that maybe my legs would still be recovering into race week and I didn't want that. Toni had planned to do the 5k, which swayed me slightly, and once I found a costume, I was all in on the 5k train. Plus the fall "5ks" I've been running are more 3 milers, so I was curious what I could do for a legit 3.1 miles.

My best legit 5k (only) of the year was the Purple Stride 5k in June in sweltering heat and humidity. I ran an 8:40 pace for a 25:41. My best 3ish mile this year was the last one of the Parks and Rec series, which was a 7:57 pace for 23:04 on a 2.91 mile course. Most of my 3 mile efforts have been in the 8:20s 24:58-25:08.

A goal: If it's a nice cool day, I'd really like to see if I can maintain a sub 8 pace for a full 3.1 miles. I was able to do it for 2.91 with zero people running near me (Toni finished 90 seconds ahead of me, so I was 100% pushing myself). I'd like to think that the competitive part of my brain can pull me through for another .2 miles, right? A 7:59 on an exact course would be 24:48.

B goal: This one doesn't give me much wiggle room from A to B, but I would like to be under 25 minutes. Back when I was racing 5ks a lot, it was such a huge deal the first time I went under 25, and I even won a 5k in a low low 24 once. It'd be awesome to be in this time range for having been working on longer distances and nothing specific to 5k speed training.

C goal: Earlier this summer, I had written down a goal for a 25:30 5k time. And then the 2 legit 5ks I raced were in the hottest of hot days so I wasn't anywhere close. I think even if it's a warmer late October day, I should be able to do dig for that sub 8:15 pace.

Stay tuned for my costume!

Firecracker 5k Race Goals

On Tuesday I'll be racing in a local Firecracker race. I had originally planned/wanted to do the 10k as there are very few 10ks around here. But after I missed the last 5k in the Parks and Rec series due to an angry back, I decided I wanted to line up for the 5k instead. Also the humidity was going to be out of control again (as per usual) and it seems way easier to wrap my brain around running hard for 3 miles vs 6.

The last two 5ks I ran were short courses, at 3 miles, paces at 8:57 and 8:22. The 5k I ran earlier in June was 8:40 pace. I'd really like to be under 8:15 pace for this 5k, as close to 8 as possible. I've done zero speedwork so who knows if this is feasible, but I know it'll be significantly cooler at this race than it was for the one I ran 8:22 pace for. However, the humidity will be intense, soooo we'll see.

Excited to see what my legs can do!