It’s been said that running is the best metaphor for life and I’m a believer. Every race, from 5K to marathon, teaches me something about myself as a runner and a person. I grow and I learn with every mile. Tory Row was no exception.
Lesson #1: Keep a positive attitude. It’s the one variable within your control.
I love races. Most times I’m the obnoxiously peppy runner at the start. It probably borders on annoying, but I really love the excitement and camaraderie of race day. Not today.
I’ll be very honest and tell you that I was beyond nervous going into the race. For some reason, I really wanted to break 25 minutes and hoped today would be the day. Until today, that is. I don’t do well with time goals. They make me very anxious and take some of the fun away for me. Once I put pressure on myself to hit a certain time, I cracked beneath it. The good news: By mile two, I was able to assess my goals and find that race day excitement again. Thank goodness!
Lesson #2: Respect every race.
Signature running pose.
I run races all the time and every race is hard. The ability to run a marathon does not imply that running a 5K will be easy. I signed up for this race with Lizzy and had grand plans to bring home my shiny, new PR. I felt rested, refreshed, and strong on most of my recent runs, so I really thought I had it in the bag. I had no idea what the course was like (hills and tricky turns) and I never trained to improve my 5K time, so this race was tougher than I expected. I probably should have planned for that. A 5K is no joke.
Lesson #3: Even the toughest races are fun when you’re with friends.
I’m sure you recognize these ladies. Lauren and Lizzy are champion runners, cheerleaders, and friends. They put up with my pre-race antics and keep things interesting! I know Lauren secretly loves my stress-relieving sing-alongs and Lizzy thrives off my talk of stomachaches and porta-potties. I wish I could have all of my favorite people at every race. Good times.
Lesson #4: New shoes may not lead to a PR, but they are pretty dang sweet.
I rocked a brand spankin’ new pair of Saucony ProGrid Kinvaras during today’s race. I bought them for racing and speed workouts and it was love at first step. The shoes have a lightweight, flexible, minimalist design and feel amazing. They made every mile a little bit better. I can’t wait to log more miles in these puppies and tell you all about ‘em!
Lesson #5: Drink the post-race beer and celebrate your accomplishments.
Even if it is 10 AM on a Sunday morning. A 5K finish calls for a celebration.
Official Results:
- Time: 25:53 – 8:20/mi
- Division: 18/52
- Overall: 94/271
I didn’t bring that PR home today, but in the end, this race was about more than a PR and I’m really happy with my performance.
It was about staying strong when I wanted to quit, about digging a little deeper than I thought I could, and making sure to smile at the finish.
Much like my life in recent weeks. Running and life…like peanut butter and jelly, folks.
How do you feel about time goals? Love ‘em? Hate ‘em? Honestly, I think my love for the marathon stems from my dislike for time goals. Time goals make me happy, but distance milestones are definitely more my speed. (Pun intended.)
Love the pink shoes!! They make up for any time goals
I prefer time goals although I never my A goal! I always have a few in case but I will never throw myself under the bus if I didn’t meet my goal! After all, you do these for yourself and your personal accomplishments! There is always another race
SO with you on this one. I’m not a huge fan of numbers in general, as you know, and time goals just make me SO STRESSED out. Sure, if I run a “big race” like a half marathon or something, I like to have a general goal in mind but not something so specific that it causes me to overthink every step. I do better in these situations with less details vs. more.
One of my favorite posts from you. I think all of these lessons are so important, yet easy to forget as we strive to constantly better ourselves and improve speed to hit the (sometimes too) important PR. Thanks for reminding me that running can be fun, too
Nice job on the finish, and sweet new kicks!
Those are sweet sneakers!! I want to get some lighter shoes for racing/track workouts.
Time goals can be hit or miss with me. They’ve worked out great at times, and totally messed with me at others. I think I need something behind my time goal – almost a reason or a purpose for wanting that time. The extra meaning gives me something to focus on other than the numbers, which I think helps. I also need to make sure I’m keeping things in perspective and not becoming so fixated on a specific time that anything else will leave me disappointed.
It seems like today you wanted to break 25, but you kept up your positive attitude and didn’t let the tough conditions ruin your race day. I know it’s tough to not meet your expectations, but your lessons are so true and I love that you’ve already thought about what you learned from this race and took away a lot of positive messages!
I’d love to run a 5k or 10k soon. Great job today, Becky! Wish I was around to run it with you guys!
Time goals only add pressure on me, so my first goal is always to FINISH and anything other than that is great to me.
I feel like time goals can be involuntary! I try not to set time goals, but I always have one in the back of my mind
Your new shoes are sweet!! Running with friends is way more fun than worrying about timed goals, it looked like you had a great time.
Kinvaras are the ONLY shoe I’ll race in. I don’t use them much for training but when I pick them up to put them on, sometimes I get goosebumps – they’re that special! Good choice Beck! Yesterday I put them on to race the 1/2 Marathon Cherry Tree Run in Pawtucket. I pr’d by almost 10 minutes and did it in 1:48 with a 8:16 pace. Some of the credit goes to the Kinvaras.
You’re going to enjoy these shoes!
Congrats on new PR! The Kinvaras really do have some magic in them. I can’t believe how great it felt to run in such lightweight shoes. I debated buying a pair for a long time and I’m so glad that I finally did.
Love your headband.. and those shoes are so pretty and pink! Good lessons to learn!
I’m sorry you didn’t PR, but it looks like you still had fun. The sneakers are cute!
This is a great post! PR’s don’t define you as a runner – your determination and willingness to keep going when things get tough or don’t go as planned does. You worked really hard during this race, and for that, you should be proud (I know I am!
). I loved being there to cheer you on, take ridiculous pictures, and drink a beer with you at the end, despite the fact that I was so over-tired I got drunk off of 3 sips 
And of course I’m still a little jealous that your new shoes are lighter than mine….
great post, and those shoes are bomb! I like time goals because they give me something to work towards, but totally agree with you that getting too hung up on them can really suck. Regardless of PRs though, a race with friends (and a post-race beer) is always a win!
Great job Becky! I love your lessons
Time goals always stress me out too; the time is all I seem to think about during the race which is not fun.
Those shoes are awesome!
Congratulations on a great race, Becky! PR or no PR, your takeaway from the race is brilliant. You have the best attitude (I think I say that every time I comment, but it’s so true & it’s a huge part of what makes you so amazing) and your posts always give me something to think about.
Also, your hair in that first photo is fantastic. Speed racer!
Thank you, Ali! And the hair…oh the hair! It just does it’s own thing out there.
I love them, but hate the stress that comes with them! BY THE WAY, I saw you at the race yesterday, but it was right before the start so I couldn’t come over and say hi! Sweeet kicks!
Thank you! Too bad we didn’t get to meet at the race! Hopefully our paths will cross at another starting line
So much fun yesterday becky. neither of us PR’d and the course was a little harder than I expected but it was a blast hanging out/ And although 5Ks are hard, they are so awesome that they are done so quick!! I like your lessons on this post. Not every race can be a PR but having fun while you run is always the number 1 goal and we both accomplished that. Beer at 10AM!
I swear 5ks and 10ks are harder than long distance running sometimes because you have to keep up such a hard pace! Don’t beat yourself up about not PR-ing, after all you have been focusing on marathon distance running for the last year or so, and that is a completely different beast.
I love that your posts always have a positive spin on everything
I was so cheering you on in spirit…wish I could have been there! PR or not, you still rocked that 5k so hard. Time goals are great either way; they give you that boost you need but teach you to keep reaching for what you want.
Amped for tonight!
Congrats! I really wish I could have been there! having time goals is so hard for me because when I don’t have a good run, I get upset. I get very nervous about the goals too and sometimes push too hard! But yet I still hear myself setting time goals for my next race, eek I can’t help it
Those shoes look snazzy! I can’t wait to hear the review.
Lately, time goals have been the furthest from my mind when I run 5ks. But the half marathon this weekend, I will definitely be thinking about my time. I have a 2 1/2 year old PR to beat!
i think 5ks are harder than marathons. fact.
congrats on a rockin race and all of the lessons you learned from it. I’m all about post-race drink and food celebrations, no matter the time of day!
cute cute cute headband!
great job! I hear ya on the time goals. I was 15 secons away from breaking into the 27′s in last weeks race, and we ran over two interstate overpasses so I KNEW I had it in the bag…until i got to the race feeling gross after eating at a buffet the night before (planning FAIL!) and it was 86 degrees and 94% humidity. AWFUL! I didn’t pr, and I was upset. I had worked myself up so much over that time goal, that I didn’t enjoy the race! GReat lessons you posted!