About

Tim Bergsten created this Ning Network.

5,524 ft above "normal"

I finished the St. Patrick's Day 5K this morning in 25:02.  Not my best, but I'll take it happily!  

This week rounds out my first month in the Springs and I'm proud to report that on my training runs I no longer notice the altitude as acutely as I did a few weeks ago.  Today, however, with nerves and the "race factor" that makes us runners push ourselves a little harder, I noticed the extra 5,524 feet above the flatlands of Illinois.  I usually run negative splits, especially in short races, but today was different, I felt a little clumsy in my own skin.  I guess that's just a sign that I have a lot of altitude work to do before the Ascent in August!  

Even if the actual race felt a little different, today was a reminder of why I love this sport.  I woke up with butterflies in my stomach and that excitement that turns into kinetic energy as soon as the gun goes off.  I was also reminded that I am not a 5K-er.  I would have been very happy to slow down and add a few more miles, but that's just me.

Views: 74

Comment

You need to be a member of Pikes Peak Sports to add comments!

Join Pikes Peak Sports

Comment by Jody Derington on March 16, 2014 at 8:53am
Yay, Mary! Congrats! Way to move to town and start conquering the altitude!
Comment by Nicole Odell on March 16, 2014 at 7:28am

Nice, Mary! Congrats on the 5k! And I second Tim's comment that attitude > altitude! :)

For some perspective, it took me 3 years to match my sea level PR at the St. Pat's 5k. Now I didn't run a lot of 5ks in that time, but more the St. Pat's once a year, and I train as a triathlete. So it probably took me a little longer than the typical runner.

Enjoy your Ascent training!

Comment by Tim Bergsten on March 16, 2014 at 6:14am

Good job, Mary. Attitude > altitude. 

© 2024   Created by Tim Bergsten.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service