One 2009 goal already down
Regulars to this blog might know that one of my goals for the year was to get a 5k run under 20 minutes (previous recent best was 21:16). I can’t ever remember cracking the 20 minute mark but I knew that it must have been possible.
On Sunday morning I ran the run leg of a triathlon as part of a team. Conditions were absolutely perfect for the race at about 18 degrees celcius. There was no breaze and the course was dead flat. I pushed hard right from the start at a pace that I thought was sustainable. Out for the first lap as I approached the first turn around point I could count the people ahead of me. There was some seriously fit athletes in the group so it was good to pace myself against some quick runners.
By the end of the lap I had past the only other team racers that were ahead of us at exactly the point where our team mates were cheering from. His team weren’t pleased in the slightest (sucks to be them).
Coming back to the turnaround point I start to plan to pick up the pace, only I cant, I have nothing, not one extra inch. I dig deep and fight as hard as I could all the way to the line. I could barely breath. I was also disappointed because whilst I gave it everything I felt the time was slow, I didn’t time it but I thought it would be closer to 22 minutes than 20.
The official results came up on to the internet today. By now you should have worked out that I wouldn’t have titled this one goal already down if I had only run 22 minutes.
The time 19:33.
My only problem now is that I want to do a race on my own. Problems with that are that it won’t help me build muscle, it will cost me lots to go a get a wetsuit plus I would want to get cleats and bikes shoes (I currently only have straps) and (probably most importantly) I can’t swim very well.
Will think about it.
January 27, 2009 at 3:54 am
It sounds ass if you added more goals by accompishing your first goal of 2009. Congradulations. Keep moving forwards and enjoying your journey.
January 27, 2009 at 4:04 am
Nice time
January 27, 2009 at 4:40 am
Wow congrats on breaking that barrier my man. Hey don’t let your lack of swimming talent stop you from doing what you want to. I swim like a rock but when I use to run tri’s I always made it up by being strong on the bike and the run. You can do it.
January 27, 2009 at 4:44 am
Thanks Bryan, I am very tempted.
January 27, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Hi Ryan - congratulations! That’s just fantastic.
January 28, 2009 at 4:29 am
so proud of u..ryan..u can do anything u set out to do..no doubt at all!!
January 28, 2009 at 7:20 am
WOOHOO!! Congratulations! Fantastic 5K time!
January 28, 2009 at 10:09 am
Very inspiring! 19:33 for a 5K!! Loved that you FELT you had nothing left and kept on pushing…and met your goal! Can’t wait to hear how you accomplished your own race next
January 28, 2009 at 11:12 am
Congratulations on your time! That’s incredible, and you can totally do a triathlon- just think more body fat allows buoyancy in the water, so the fact you can’t swim well might be a good thing!
January 29, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Ryan, that’s awesome, congrats…. Now, how are you doing on that benching goal???
January 29, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Congrats on achieving your goal!
January 29, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Congratulations! Well, you don’t have to do a triathlon .. more running … more races??