In case you wondered what I looked like, that’s a picture of me winning the Golden Gallop 10k on Saturday and yes the time on the clock is correct.

I love to race, it’s what keeps me motivated. I don’t think I would run if I couldn’t race, otherwise I would get bored rather quick. I guess that is why I decided to do four races in seven days this week. I’m pretty sure it goes against any marathon training program, oh well.

9/01 – Park to Park 10 Miler
9/02 – 8 Miles Easy
9/03 – 8 Miles
9/04 – 20 Miles @ 7:30 Pace
9/05 – 4 Miles
9/06 – Golden Gallop 10k & Skirt Chaser 5k
9/07 – Harvest Fest 5 Miler

73.32 Total Miles

Four races in one week, not sure if I have ever done that before. I was pleased with my Park to Park performance and really happy with my Skirt Chaser 5k performance. I would say the Skirt Chaser 5k is the one good race that I have had this year.

I have mixed feelings about racing a 5k. Part of me hates going out so fast that first mile and pushing my body hard for a short time, but I also like it because you can run a lot of 5ks per year to get an idea of your speed. Last year, the only races that I was pleased with were the Denver Marathon and the Quad Cities Half Marathon, but in reality, I would think that I should be better at the shorter distances. I don’t really have the build of a Marathon Runner, but I honestly don’t know what distance is my best race? I enjoy the Marathon though, partly because I know that I can improve on that event over the next 10 years but it’s harder to improve in a 5k once you hit that 30 year old age mark.

The fast 5k also validates my training. Last year I did intervals once per week and my 5k time was pretty flat from the beginging of the year to the end, my best time was an 18:08, which I ran in April, I actually got slower in the 5k as the year went on but faster in the longer distance events. This year, I have totally scrapped interval training, in favor of Tempo/LT runs and increasing my mileage. The fact that I ran a faster 5k, is interesting, it goes with the Lydiard Theory that putting in the miles will also increase your basic speed.

I think next Saturday, I am running the Southlands 5k. It’s the second annual race and they are giving out the following awards:

5K Run
Southlands Gift Cards will be awarded for the following top finishers:
1st Place Male $500
1st Place Female $500

2nd Place Male $250
2nd Place Female $250

3rd Place Male $125
3rd Place Female $125

I highly doubt that I can place in the top three but I am hoping the prizes attract some fast runners. I have another complimentary entry to this race, so let me know if you would like to race it and I can hook you up.

I also have a complimentary entries for the Run for Congo Women, Remembrance Rally 5k (two entries), El Grito 5k, Lead King Loop, Tiny Miracles Trot 5k and the Farmers 5000 (two entries) which are all next weekend, so let me know if you’re interested. Details are available on my home page. I’ve run the Farmers 5000 the last two years and it’s a great race, but I’m going to do a long run on Sunday and want to try out the Southlands 5k.

Six weeks to Denver Marathon.