May 14, 2014

Bringing back the 5K!

In the comments of yesterday's post, a few people mentioned an article in the current issue of Runner's World that discusses the 5K race distance. People tend to think of it as a stepping stone to longer distances, but the 5K is a respectable race on its own. I've always thought of the 5K as being the hardest distance--because it's basically a 3.1 mile sprint. When running it for a PR, you basically feel like you're going to keel over and die at the end.

Until last month, I'd done more MARATHONS than I did 5K's, because 5K's are tough! (Now I've done three of each). Anyway, I read the RW article this morning, and I love the idea of bringing back the 5K ;)  The training for a 5K is pretty much the opposite of marathon training--it's mostly short and fast runs, versus the long and slow runs for marathons. I'm feeling so burnt out on the higher mileage I've been doing, and I'd love to do some short and hard runs to feel that "runner's high" again.

After the Heartbreak Hill Half & Festival next month, I'll take a week or so off of running, and then start with 5K training for the summer. I haven't really chosen a goal race, because there are always 5K's going on, so I'll wait until mid- to late-summer to pick a goal race. I'd like to aim for a sub-24:00 finish time. My best training time for a 5K is 24:04, so I think sub-24:00 is reasonable. I have a couple of half-marathons that I'm registered for this fall, but I'll use those as long training runs, rather than trying to race them. I really enjoy half-marathons when I'm running them for fun.

Anyway, I didn't weigh in this morning, at home or at Weight Watchers. I snacked way too much last night, and I felt so puffy when I woke up. My ring wouldn't even come off of my finger! So I just didn't want to see the scale today. At Weight Watchers, I paid my dues, but didn't weigh in.

I always like going to meetings because it makes me feel a renewed sense of motivation. I may even try to go to another meeting before next Wednesday, just to keep me motivated. Today, we talked about the Good Health Guidelines. The easiest one for me is probably the healthy oils. I use oil to cook, and my favorite way to get in the two teaspoons of healthy oil is to drizzle it over air-popped popcorn, and then sprinkle it with salt. The oil makes the popcorn so good! The most difficult Good Health Guideline for me is vegetables. Veggies just seem to take so much effort and time to prepare. 

On the way home from Weight Watchers, my mom asked if we could stop at Meijer for a few groceries. I picked up a few things, and then I was waiting for my mom at the front of the store, when I heard someone say, "Katie?"

It's kind of funny, because I just wrote a few days ago that while I've been recognized at races a few times, it's very rare that a reader recognizes me in a public spot like a grocery store. The woman who recognized me today was SO sweet! Her name is Yvette. She asked for a picture, and even though I was dressed like a slob (I look like I was going to head out to run, but that was actually after I'd showered, haha), of course we got a pic!


Yvette has lost 108 pounds, and she's going to be in Woman's World in July! I'm so excited to read her story. All I know is that she lost the weight through diet and walking on her treadmill. She looks amazing, and she is so nice!

Jerry and I went on a walk this afternoon, so that we could get in some steps. It's hard to get in 10,000 steps on my rest days, but it's nice to go for a walk together in the afternoons. Today wasn't hot or humid like it was yesterday, and it was actually a little bit cool while we were walking. We got 3/4 of a mile into the walk when it started drizzling. And then soon, it was pouring rain!

We were really close to my parents' house, so we stopped there to get Ziploc baggies for our phones (priorities, right?). I was already soaked, so there was no reason not to keep walking. We'd planned to walk three miles, but cut it a little short and did just two. Still, I was happy to get in my steps. 

When we got back, we were both freezing and soaked to the bone, so we changed clothes and made some tea. I recently placed an order at David's, and noticed that they had a new flavor:


I ordered some (how could I not?) and we tried it this afternoon. It was really good! I love coconut, and you can really taste it in this tea. 

I'm ready to get cozy in my pajamas and watch a movie with Jerry tonight. Today is the 15-year anniversary of our first date!

21 comments:

  1. Thanks for your post. I just started back into running again and I'm addicted to 5ks. Everyone is trying to get me to go further and maybe someday. But honestly I love the 5k, it makes me feel like a runner, an athlete, and a competitor again.

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  2. What oil do you use? I love popcorn, but I do not like it plain so I usually eat the regular microwave kind with fake butter.

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    1. I just use canola oil, but I bet it would be good with sunflower oil or even melted coconut oil, too. The oil + salt combo tastes much better than the microwave popcorn, in my opinion! :)

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  3. I can relate to burning out on long distance runs. I recently made the decision to put more emphasis on my strength training through Crossfit than on my running, which was not an easy decision to make. I love running, but it started to feel like a chore. I knew I needed to cut back on my mileage and learn to love it again. I am still running 3-6 miles 3 times a week, but the majority of my workouts are Crossfit. We do some running but for speed and not distance.

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  4. Ditto what Shannon said about running becoming a chore! Ive recently lowered my weekly running miles and am doing more riding on my Elliptigo. My husband isnt a runner. The Elliptigo is an activity we can do together and it's not low impact it's NO impact and it's a great cross training workout. I will be 40 in August. I've run numerous marathons, halfs, 10ks and 5ks since I began running in 2008. At first I felt like a quitter. But then realized I need a shorter goal. My goal is to run a sub 20 5k before August. I too am signed up for a half mar in October. Should be easy to train here in sunny humid Florida...
    Yvette looks great! Congrats! Katie don't worry about the scale! Take it one day at a time. You can do it! We all go through what I call "A FUNK". It's just a short season and you will be back to your goal weight before you know it!

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  5. AnonymousMay 15, 2014

    I dont know if I have mentioned it before but there is a coffee mate creamer that is like samoas (the GS cookie) and it is AMAZING if you like coconut! I put it my tea all the time. Especially love it in the David's Red Velvet tea. It also is sweet so you dont need to put sugar in :)

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  6. On veggies...have you tried any of the green giant steamers? they have the WW points on them if u get the seasoned/sauced ones and are so quick and easy. Frozen veggies often have better nutrition than "fresh" b/c they are frozen at their peak. If u don't have a microwave (I know some people don't like them) u can always stove top cook the frozen things. I've never struggled w/ eating veggies b/c I love them, but from a strictly convenience and time standpoint, frozen is a great place to start working on it.

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    1. No, but my Weight Watchers leader was just talking about them! She likes to put the broccoli + cheese one on top of scrambled eggs. I'm going to have to try them. I do like vegetables, but they are so inconvenient!

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  7. i completely agree about what you are saying about the 5k... I have run only 2 10ks and a 4 5ks (since 2006 though haha) and have done 5 marathons and other races includes 10 milers and half marathons. I think 10K is the hardest (but for the same reasoning as your 5k). you are sprinting for 6.2 miles. its FREAKING HARD!!!! I am running my third 10k next sunday down the shore. I am nervous! I am trying to beat my pace of 7:19....in 2009 i set that (yikes!). and my second 10k i ran a 7:25 in 2010. so its now 2014...i have NO idea what i am capable of. but I will run my butt of to see. I think once you finish this race, taking the week ago and then doing 5k training is a perfect idea for you. i think its awesome you are listening to your body....its begging for short fast workouts! haha and i bet you anything that your distance running will thank for you for it...you'll be speedier!

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  8. Happy dating anniversary! (I'm glad my hubby & I aren't the only ones that still celebrate that :)

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  9. by the way, a SUPER easy way to get veggies is to buy a fresh veggie mix (I buy mine as Sam's already chopped up so no cutting required), throw a little oil in the bag, shoosh it around, then spread it on a baking sheet and cook in a 400 degree oven for 30-ish minutes. I do the whole bag so I have leftovers. Just sprinkle salt and pepper on and you are good to go!

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    Replies
    1. That's a great idea! Definitely my kind of veggie prep ;)

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  10. AnonymousMay 16, 2014

    are you not weighing in on Wednesdays?

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    1. I still am, but like I said in the post above... just not today :)

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  11. I am running my first half tomorrow and I must say I am totally burned out on the idea of long runs..I don't know why I hadn't thought of doing this before to spice things up but I am going to copy you and do exactly this this summer..Faster 5k here I come!

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  12. AnonymousMay 16, 2014

    Hi Katie, I have trouble getting the veggies in myself! And it really bugs me because I like to eat them but I just hate making them. Something I started to do is make my veggies first.....then get working at the rest of my meal. It has made a difference for me:)

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  13. AnonymousMay 16, 2014

    I am loving the David's Tea Chocolate Macaroon!! It is my new favorite & I just made myself a little pot.
    David's Tea is just happiness & going there is a danger for me! :)

    -Kim

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  14. Loved this post! I am getting ready to start C25K for the first time this Sunday and I'm sooooo nervous! I found a great podcast to listen to by Robert Ullrey, so I'm hoping that helps. As always, you're an inspiration to me!

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  15. I really need to try those David's Teas.

    My favorite easy way to get a veggie and healthy oil serving in is to use a teaspoon of olive oil in a frying pan, toss a big handful of baby spinach in, cook it until it wilts, and then pour a scrambled egg over it. Easy spinach omelette.

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  16. Thanks again Katie for the great pic! Running into you made my day. And yes, I used a fairly strict diet and my treadmill for my weight loss. It took me 1 year and 2 weeks to the day to drop my first 100 lbs. I've started to add some jogging into my half hour of treadmill time and I'm working on my breathing. I also recently got into Zumba videos online and just got a Wii Zumba game to add some extra cardio. I've read a lot of your blog posts about when you started running, and how hard you felt like it was. Was there a guide you used or a website that helped you the most when you felt like you were struggling? Thanks againg Katie - Yvette V.

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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