Flying Turkey 5k 2015

November 26, 2015

20th 5k

Flying Turkey 5k, Evanston, IL

Time: 29:10 (2nd best); pace: 9:23

Overall: 703/1996; female: 262/1068; Age: 21/104

Oooops, I didn't take any photos. I took some for snapchat but I guess I didn't download them. Oh well, it was only a 5k. I chuckle now when I look back at the days when I thought a 5k was a really big deal. 

I was tossing back and forth the idea of trying to do my second sub 30 5k. I hadn't decided to really go for it until mid way through the actual race. I told myself it wouldn't be a big deal if I hadn't but then again, I was running out of goals and getting up early and running 3 miles with no purpose was kinda stupid. 

The primary reason I did this race was to commemorate my 3 year anniversary of racing. My very first race was the Edison Park Turkey Trot.  Other people get wedding anniversaries, I get a running anniversary.  I didn't do a turkey trot last year but I remember running about 7 miles. 

This race was tough. I had to talk my way through it the whole way. After the one water station 1.7 miles in I only allowed my self a glance at the mileage on my Garmin at landmarks like a light post or stop sign. It was ridiculous. My right reg was wonky about the last half mile. I wanted to give up and walk  a mile in. I was a little mad at myself with this battle of the mind - I just ran a marathon for crying out loud!

The course was pretty cool except that I was flying so fast I didn't pay attention to any of it! It went along the lake in Evanston and through the Northwestern Campus. I'll have to go back for a run at my usual slow pace. 

Everything was well done except for 2 things: the stroller folks were allowed to start with the free people and there was no water at the finish line. I had to walk for what seemed like miles to get water.  This may not be a big deal for most but I just pushed the limits and was dying when I crossed that finish line. 

Running is a challenge and requires a little positive self talk no matter the distance if you are pushing yourself. A marathon is challenging when going slow as it takes a huge effort to keep it up for such a long ass time on the course. A 5k at a pace 2 minutes per mile faster than my usual pace requires the same. 

Go me!