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| Two races on one day - what would you do? (Read 204 times) |
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posted: 8/18/2008 at 11:12 PM
modified: 8/18/2008 at 11:13 PM |
Last year, I ran my first 5k on the first weekend of December. Well, it's an annual race, and I'm looking to beat my last year's time (obviously). However, there are some options at this race that make it a complicated decision for me.
There are two races held on this day at the same event. There is a 5k, and then 40 minutes later, there is a 10k. Last year I was only just getting started running, so I ran the 5k. However, as long as you can complete the 5k in <40 minutes, you have the option of running both races (the "Double Pump" they call it (it's sponsored by a local gas station chain)).
My problem is this. I want to run all out for the 5k to see how thoroughly I can destroy my previous PR, but I'm also interested in running 10ks, and this is the only one held locally on an annual basis. I'm also drawn to the idea of extending it to a 15k, albeit with a small break in the middle. If I totally trash myself in the 5k like I hope to, I'm not sure how good of an idea it is to run a tough (two trips over a steep bridge) 10k with 12-16 minutes of rest in between.
Do I have the base miles to support such an effort, given that my longest run to date is only 8 miles? (Of course, I've got a lot of time yet to prepare and extend that.) Anyone done anything similar before, or just have some advice that you'd like to share?
Oh, by the way, This is the race, if it matters. |
| Brandon |
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posted: 8/18/2008 at 11:50 PM |
If it cost nothing extra for the 10k, run the 10k for training (easy recovery run).
Going for a PR in the 5k should leave you trashed, so don't expect anything for the 10.
If it cost extra for the 10k, it would be a foolish waste of money. Just run the 5k again for a recovery run. |
Ricky
2008 Goals: sub-18 5k 17:51 | sub-39 10k 38:35 | sub-3 M
Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. T.S. Eliot
Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won.
Soldier on, only you can do what must be done.
You know in some way you're a lot like me.
You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free. |
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posted: 8/18/2008 at 11:59 PM |
I did the same thing last year for a charity run in Big Bear,CA. 5k followed by a 10k. I got 3rd overall in the 5k, running it in 22:41, turned around and started the 10k, 7:19 later, and ran that in 49:56, and got 7th overall.
At 7000 feet, I just couldn't push my legs fast enough in the 5k to get trashed. You can also see my pace dropped quite a bit in the 10k.
I wouldn't expect much out of your 10k, if you race your 5k all out.
I'm doing it again this year. Would I do it at Sea Level? Debatable. If it was for a charity I support, I would do it at sea level. If not, probably not. |
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posted: 8/19/2008 at 12:25 AM
modified: 8/19/2008 at 12:26 AM |
Not sure what I would do, but I'll offer another option since I haven't seen it mentioned.
You're saying that there aren't any 10K's local other than this one right? What about 5K's? How about running the 5K as a warm up then racing the 10K? Go for the 5K PR on a different day. I agree with pRED though. If it costs more to run both then my suggestion would be to skip the 5K, do your own warm up, and race the 10K. |
| The glass is half full. |
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posted: 8/19/2008 at 12:36 AM |
| Quote from MrPHinNJ on 8/19/2008 at 12:25 AM: Not sure what I would do, but all offer another option since I haven't seen it mentioned.
Your saying that there aren't any 10K's local other than this one right? What about 5K's? How about running the 5K as a warm up then racing the 10K? Go for the 5K PR on a different day. I agree with pRED though. If it costs more to run both then my suggestion would be to skip the 5K, do your own warm up, and race the 10K.
I've thought of that too (well, not exactly that, but just racing the 10k), but my hesitation there is that all the 5ks around here are FLAT FLAT FLAT, except for this one, which goes over a huge honkin bridge. It's kind of the "it" race in the area.
It does cost more (though only a little - $10 extra) to run both races. I'll probably just run the 5k this year, (hopefully) destroy my PR from last year, and then maybe next year I'll move on to the 10k, and do as you've suggested and move on to other 5ks. Maybe in future years, when I've got more miles behind me, I'll even learn to pace myself over both races and race them both as a unit, if at a proportionately slower speed.
Thanks, folks. |
| Brandon |
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Guy running in pink |
posted: 8/19/2008 at 2:07 AM |
5ks and 10ks are HARD races, so the following is not intended as a diss of people who run 5ks and 10ks (of which I am one).
If I totally trash myself in the 5k like I hope to, I'm not sure how good of an idea it is to run a tough (two trips over a steep bridge) 10k with 12-16 minutes of rest in between.
You can run the 5k hard. You are not going to spontaneously combust in the 10k. Even with a longest previous run of 8 miles. Penultimate worst case, take the second race slow. Ultimate worst case, do some walking. And those are the bad cases, you'll probably *run* them just fine.
If you totally want to go out and race both, then maybe not such a good idea right now.
But we're not talking right now. It's December.
if you want to, do it. Don't be a-feared of death or dire consequences.
If you want to win both races, maybe not. |
| With realistic Pants-on-Fire action! |
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posted: 8/19/2008 at 5:14 PM |
| You know, Stevie Ray, I may just try that. I've never run a 10k race before, so anything is a PR, and if I'm really trashed running it, I'm almost certain to be in better shape next year, so I'll be primed to demolish 2 PRs in one go. I'll probably waffle on this for a while, but I do like the idea of the challenge of the Double Pump. |
| Brandon |
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posted: 8/19/2008 at 5:23 PM |
| Quote from pRED on 8/18/2008 at 11:50 PM: If it cost nothing extra for the 10k, run the 10k for training (easy recovery run).
Going for a PR in the 5k should leave you trashed, so don't expect anything for the 10.
If it cost extra for the 10k, it would be a foolish waste of money. Just run the 5k again for a recovery run.
I agree here -- go all out and bust your 5K time......take 10 or 15 minutes break and then just chug along for the 10K and enjoy the run - enjoy the day..........
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2009 RUNNING GOALSs
-40MPW average
-5K time of 23:59 or faster
-5 Mile time of 42:59 or faster
-Half Marathon - 1Hr 59mins or faster
-Run The 2009 Baystate Marathon (Ill be happy with any time)
2009 weight to 135lbs (down from current 147lbs - but ultimately weighed 167 before I started running)
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