Low Stakes 5K

First, here's the "true" 5K route in my neighborhood:

Mile Splits

1 Mile - Turn from Wellington to Moceri
2 Mile - 6th house past Boutell loop
3 Mile - 6th house back on Via Catherina
Finish = Stop sign

Why is this weekend's race low stakes? Well, I won't have to work hard to beat my 5K time from back in August. I really screwed up, started too fast, hurt myself, and finished in . I need a plan. My stretch goal is to finish in under 25:00, but that's gonna be pretty difficult for me.

My pace for the first 3 miles of my 10K race was 8:25/M, which would give me a 26:06 finish in a 5K.

I need an 8:02 pace for a sub-25 finish. These splits could work:

• 8.15
• 8.05
• 7.45

If I kept the 7:45/M pace for the last .1 mile, that could be under 25:00. Just barely. Perhaps I'll try it on Wednesday morning. I have more accurate mile points on my 5K route. I don't usually run with the watch, but I could try it.

Why not try for the sub-25? Chances are you won't be able to do it. Still, you were within a minute during the 10K and you went on to run another 5. Maybe you could do it.

Another thought would be to go out there and try to run 8 minute miles for 25 minutes. That would get you in under 25. Not sure which way to go.

Here's a cool 5K Strategy link. According to this article, I am a "pacer," meaning that I am running for a time goal. What's the goal? 25:00. I just read another site where kids were trying to beat 16:00. That's 5:08/M pace. Egad!

So, according to this article, the pacer should run:

• Mile 1 @ 3% - 6% faster than pace
• Mile 2 @ even pace
• Mile 3 @ slightly increased pace w/ kick in final 400 meters.

So, I think you have it there. That would look something like:

• Mile 1: 7:45/M
• Mile 2: 8:00/M
• Mile 3: 7:55/M w/ 400 meter kick

23:35 + 0:47 for the last 0.1 mile. That's 24:22. Could be the ticket!!!