5k's seem to be notoriously fast. It is a distance that a lot of recreational runners just love. So you find some pretty impressive times, even in small towns and teeny little races.
Me? I won't do a 5k unless they allow walkers. I figure that way I will LOOK like I am in the middle of the pack, when I am more likely closer to the back of the pack.
My 5k PR time is at a 10:05 pace. Which, like Amy, I consider super fast for me, but pretty slow by race standards. My Half pace is 10:45 - 11:00, much slower than the 5k pace. I am going to do another 5k fairly soon because I am pretty sure I can PR it. I have had some great negative splits recently, so who knows? My first 5k goals is to do it in under 30 minutes, so I need to run at least a 9:55 pace, if not a bit faster. My ultimate goal, though, will be to do a 5k in 9 minute miles or less. And yes, 9 minute miles are STILL considered to be on the slow side...but at least approaching average (like the slow side of average). So I have work to do, for sure. (Yesterday, though, I ran my last half mile at an 8:30 pace, which is great for me. Darn near killed me, cause it was at the end of a 4.5-miler, but still, it was good to know I had it in me.)
Tip o' the Day (you thought I forgot, didn't you?)--JEANS! Yes, get out your jeans and put them on! Jeans don't lie, girls. They tell it like it is!
You all know that I work from home. So I don't need to get dressed for work or anything. And I don't like the idea of creating extra laundry, so often times when I get up in the morning, I just put on my workout clothes and wear those until it is time for my run/the gym. And sometimes (like today), that doesn't happen till like 2pm.
So, what's the problem? Um, well, when you wear elastic-waist pants all the time, you can SO easily gain 10 pounds and not "feel" it in your clothes. But if you are wearing jeans, you will feel that snugness much sooner...a couple of pounds and you will notice it and thus be able to stop before it gets to 10 pounds or worse.
This tip is definitely one for ME. I have to start getting regular clothes on. For those keeping track....the 4s are super skin tight and not wearable currently. I am still in 6s, but they are not nearly as loose as they were. So, hopefully by the end of the January challenge, I will have those feeling loose again.