Ran my first race yesterday!

My wife has gotten into the running kick to supplement her kickboxing training, and she's run a few races (a 5 mile and a 5K). Since I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, running is good for endurance, so she convinced me to run a small 1 mile support race for her 5K.

Normally, I can run 2-3 miles without too much issue, but my times aren't the best (probably average high 8 - low 9 minute miles), so I wasn't expecting much.

Well, I am proud to say I ran a 7:05 mile, finishing 2nd in class (4th overall). The pace was faster (obviously) than when I run for BJJ or just practice, so I was nervous I would gas. However, I got my rhythm and finished strong.

I'll have to step up to a 5K next - that will be a bit harder for me, but I had a good time doing this, so what the heck!

 

Thanks!

I don't expect to do as well in a 5K - but to finish would be the main goal

I am going to start practicing in between my Jiu Jitsu classes - target first 5K in April 2010.

 

Well, I did a 5K today - in totally lousy weather too. Ran a 29:03, so my mile(s) weren't anywhere near as quick as my first race.

I am proud I finished it - it was pouring and really cold, and I don't have the proper gear, so that hampered me for sure. Surprisingly, I was getting a lot more lactic acid build up in my legs than I thought I would - surely slowed me too.

Nonetheless - my first 5K, so I am proud of myself!

Next one - goal will be to break 29:00 (although honestly, I am setting a target of 25:00 - may be lofty, but it's a target to benchmark against).

 

Yep, agreed! My physical conditioning is pretty good from the Jiu-Jitsu, but this was tough! My calves hurt, and that's one of my most conditioned, defined body part!

Out of 300 or so people, I finished right in the middle (153). In my age group (Male - 40-44) I was 9th. I definitely could do a sub-28:00 5K, so I'll try to break that next race.

My wife finished a little behind me at 29:30 - she's 43 and just started running as well, we had a blast!

 

25:00 is do-able - it's about 8:00 per mile. That's my ultimate goal for sure.

Yes, the 40-44 range is tough. In the 5K I did, however, the 50-54 range was MUCH faster! 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the 50-54 ran faster than same in 40-44!

Interesting in that I am getting the competitive bug here - something I didn't really want because it could pull focus from my BJJ. However, it's fun and easy to compete, so why not?

 

Definitely addicting - I see it already!

I don't think I'll ever get to 18's - I am 41 and as noted, I train BJJ primarily. However, if I could get in the 23:00 - 25:00 range, I would be stoked!

I did purchase a decent pair of ASICS. One of my colleagues at work is a runner, told me that's the way to go. So far, they've been much better than the 20 year old sneaks I was wearing (yes, 20 year old sneakers!).

 

I've always been more of a quick, burst type. When we do wind-sprints / suicides in my BJJ training, I am usually the quickest one, but I gas faster.

In the 5K, my first mile splits were way quicker - I assume that's normal - but I could feel the slowdown in the 2nd / 3rd miles. That's where I need to keep the pace, of course, which should come with more practice.

That being said, I don't think I could ever run a 21:00. I ran hard on the mile run, knowing it was a shorter distance.