Today was my last “official” run before my 5K on Sunday. I hope to jog a bit on Friday and/or Saturday – but since I’ll be away it will be hard to see if there will be time.
I was determined today to go hard or go home. I decided to run on the track, I hadn’t been there in 2 weeks and wanted to give it another go. My focus today was running for time. I’d really like to do 10 minute miles at the 5K which would put me at around 32/33 minutes, however I REALLY want to be under 30 minutes. I’ve had some doubts about my goal time, but I think having a goal is important.
After a warm up walk, I geared up for 1 mile hoping to do it under 10 minutes – I’ve never been UNDER 10 minutes on the track, only on the treadmill. I used my stopwatch on my ipod and my ipod is on my armband so I can’t see the minutes tick by – which is a good thing. Going into the run I pace myself – I start off strong then get into a good for a few laps then on my last lap run with no mercy. As I was running my last lap I was POSITIVE there was NO WAY no matter how fast I ran I’d make it under 10 minutes. So as soon as I crossed the line that marked my mile I stopped my stopwatch to see 00:09:59.9. WHAT?!?! I did it. just barely, but I did it. It was amazing to know that it really was worth it to push myself that last !
I walked a lap to rest and then did 2 laps of alternating between sprints as fast as I could on the straight aways and walking the curve of the track. As I did this I was wanted to try to beat my 1 mile time again. I knew I had more in me, I know I pushed myself that first time, but I don’t think I was giving my “all” because I knew I still had a few more miles to run.
I geared up for my mile once again. I pumped up the throttle for the first quarter mile, then kinds of went into cruise mode for the next half mile – however I again was concerned I wasn’t going to fall below 10 min. For my last quarter mile I ran to the point that my lungs were burning…I think I can, I think I can (actually I was cursing at myself…I tend to do that, something along the lines of you fat fuck more your goddamn ass you’re embarrassing yourself – hey it motivates me, to each his/her own) I stopped my stopwatch. I look down. 00:09:51.7. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. I knocked off 8 seconds – I was on cloud nine.
I really think I have to potential to run the 5K in 30 minutes do to the adrenaline that will kick into high gear, but at the same time I’ve never been in a race (or at a race for that matter) so I have NO CLUE how it’s going to be organized etc.
Regardless I’m pleased.
After muuuuuuch debate as well as trial and error I came up with my playlist in order for the race.
1. Jumpin’ Jack Flash – David Cook
*Kick off the race with some high energy and obviously David Cook
2. Beating Heart Baby – Head Automatica
*Another CRAZY HIGH energy song that I love working out to
3. Ramalama (Bang Bang) Roisin Murphy
*Yet another gym staple – I actually usually do planks to this song, but running will work too
4. Billie Jean – David Cook
*Yes it’s a slower song, but it’s got a lot of emotion in it and reminds me of all the time I played it BLASTING with all my
windows open on the way home from the gym every night that spring when I lived in Texas
5. East Coast Anthem – Good Charlotte
*The song has great energy, but I picked it especially because the first lyrics are “Walkin’ on the streets of DC”
6. Dance Factory Super Megamix – Bad Boy Joe
*Back in college I used to go to a wonderful “butts and guts” class and the instructor, Jen, would always play this
7. Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
*Do I really need reason c’mon
8. NYC Underground Party Vol. 5 Megamix Part 2 – Bad Boy Joe
*More “butts and guts” dance music
9. NYC Underground Party Vol 5. Megamix Part 1 – Louie DeVito
*In case I haven’t had my fill even MORE dance music
10. AC – Axium
*David wrote this song in he pre-pre Idol days for his brother Adam about his battle with brain cancer and I saw it fitting to
listen to it as I run in a 5K to raise money for brain cancer and it’s on the 1 year anniversary of Adam’s passing.
11. Creep – Axium
*My Anthem. I’m gonna need it my last leg for sure, it will kick my into high gear and remind me of this journey I am on
with taking control of my life and my body
12. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Glee Cast
*A positive kick in the ass for my last minutes running.
**I’d like to note that my playlist is about 45 minutes, but I also get “fast forward happy” if I’m not feeling a song in that instant, so I wanted to have extra. I probably will skip through some of the dance music, but I wanted to have it in there as a back up.
Wish me LOVE AND LUCK please this Sunday. I’ll be sure to give a grand recap when I get back.
Thanks for reading
Comments are closed.