4 races in 4 weeks: Great Race 10k, Santa Anita Derby 5k, Angels 5k and Sunset Strip Half
It has been over a week since I finished my craziness of 4 races in 4 weeks (recaps here ) in basically the same shirt.
Small overview:
March 27: Old Agoura 10k-Great Race (course PR-1:02:22)
I had a cold and was worried I wouldn't be able to run but I was fine. Hilly course at the end that caused me to feel like my throat was on fire. I took almost 5 minutes off my time from last year using the same intervals.
April 4: Santa Anita Derby 5k (new PR-:29:43)- I ran the entire race, minus a 10-15 sec water break
This course was fantastic and a new must do for me. It is gorgeous and the perks were awesome (running on the track, going to the Derby later). This was a surprise PR to me that I worked hard for. I'm so proud of myself for running the entire time but I didn't like how tired (and hungry! I was SO hungry) I felt after and wanted to see what I could do the following week.
The next day I did 10 miles with hill repeats on very tired legs to finish my taper for the sunset strip half.
April 11: Angels Foundation 5k and a new PR (:28:05)
If there was ever a doubt intervals are for me, this silenced all of them. Running a 5k back to back in similar race conditions and I was over 90 seconds faster. This race was a bit unorganized for my tastes but we did get a free game which we redeemed for after the DL half. I was disappointed I didn't go sub-28 mainly because of crowding issues.
April 19: Sunset Strip Half Marathon and a new PR (2:13:14)
This course was hilly and I had a crazy bathroom but I PRed by almost 30 seconds. I needed this race- it was running over the exact place I started to fall apart in the LA marathon as it is hilly and no shade from the sun.
Overall, I think it all worked out well. I am proud of what I was able to accomplish and feel like it will definitely help me in the long run (no pun intended) . Since I ran a variety of distances, I was also able to work on lots of pacing. I was able to go out fast and hang on in a 5k, practice finding a comfortable pace and hanging on to push at the end of a 10k and also get in some hill practice for the NYCM in the half.
As I said, I needed this. After the LA Marathon, my confidence was shot and I felt lost. I was worried with all of the hard work I had put in over the last year was for nothing and I felt like I was getting slower and injured. I needed to show myself that even if I have a bad race or run that it does not define me. I actually shortened by intervals and have been getting great race times. I may even shorten them again and see what happens.
I was also sick of running a race and getting injured with flare ups. I finally figured out I need to do daily core work and stretches as well as stay active after a race. I used to think I needed rest after a race but that just seems to be my problem. Now I am able to work on an active recovery with more walking after the race and the next few days and how t modify core work as well.
I was able to work on my fueling and nutrition which will help immensely with more races coming up. With that I was also able to work on my post recovery food and figure out what I need the eat after to recover faster.
I was able to work on my prep routine and see that even if I don't get as much sleep as I would have liked, which was more common with Saturday races than Sunday, I can still perform. If I could get 7-8 hours of sleep before a race, I perform even better.
Overall I enjoyed my time and can't wait to race again next week for the Pixie Dust Challenge. Would I do it again? Well I am with my really insane November of NYCM, wine and dine 5k Saturday morning and the half at night the next weekend and the Infinity challenge with a 10k on Saturday and half on Sunday. The important things to remember is to hydrate, eat correctly, sleep as much as possible, just have fun!
Have you ever run back to back race weekends? What did you learn from it?
Small overview:
March 27: Old Agoura 10k-Great Race (course PR-1:02:22)
I had a cold and was worried I wouldn't be able to run but I was fine. Hilly course at the end that caused me to feel like my throat was on fire. I took almost 5 minutes off my time from last year using the same intervals.
April 4: Santa Anita Derby 5k (new PR-:29:43)- I ran the entire race, minus a 10-15 sec water break
This course was fantastic and a new must do for me. It is gorgeous and the perks were awesome (running on the track, going to the Derby later). This was a surprise PR to me that I worked hard for. I'm so proud of myself for running the entire time but I didn't like how tired (and hungry! I was SO hungry) I felt after and wanted to see what I could do the following week.
The next day I did 10 miles with hill repeats on very tired legs to finish my taper for the sunset strip half.
April 11: Angels Foundation 5k and a new PR (:28:05)
If there was ever a doubt intervals are for me, this silenced all of them. Running a 5k back to back in similar race conditions and I was over 90 seconds faster. This race was a bit unorganized for my tastes but we did get a free game which we redeemed for after the DL half. I was disappointed I didn't go sub-28 mainly because of crowding issues.
April 19: Sunset Strip Half Marathon and a new PR (2:13:14)
This course was hilly and I had a crazy bathroom but I PRed by almost 30 seconds. I needed this race- it was running over the exact place I started to fall apart in the LA marathon as it is hilly and no shade from the sun.
Overall, I think it all worked out well. I am proud of what I was able to accomplish and feel like it will definitely help me in the long run (no pun intended) . Since I ran a variety of distances, I was also able to work on lots of pacing. I was able to go out fast and hang on in a 5k, practice finding a comfortable pace and hanging on to push at the end of a 10k and also get in some hill practice for the NYCM in the half.
As I said, I needed this. After the LA Marathon, my confidence was shot and I felt lost. I was worried with all of the hard work I had put in over the last year was for nothing and I felt like I was getting slower and injured. I needed to show myself that even if I have a bad race or run that it does not define me. I actually shortened by intervals and have been getting great race times. I may even shorten them again and see what happens.
I was also sick of running a race and getting injured with flare ups. I finally figured out I need to do daily core work and stretches as well as stay active after a race. I used to think I needed rest after a race but that just seems to be my problem. Now I am able to work on an active recovery with more walking after the race and the next few days and how t modify core work as well.
I was able to work on my fueling and nutrition which will help immensely with more races coming up. With that I was also able to work on my post recovery food and figure out what I need the eat after to recover faster.
I was able to work on my prep routine and see that even if I don't get as much sleep as I would have liked, which was more common with Saturday races than Sunday, I can still perform. If I could get 7-8 hours of sleep before a race, I perform even better.
Overall I enjoyed my time and can't wait to race again next week for the Pixie Dust Challenge. Would I do it again? Well I am with my really insane November of NYCM, wine and dine 5k Saturday morning and the half at night the next weekend and the Infinity challenge with a 10k on Saturday and half on Sunday. The important things to remember is to hydrate, eat correctly, sleep as much as possible, just have fun!
Have you ever run back to back race weekends? What did you learn from it?
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