2013 Carlsbad 5000 All Day 25k Recap

I’m just going to say it. Carlsbad is awesome. Every race put on in this town is legit. Organized, on time and sensational views of the ocean. There needs to be more than a few road race events each year. Hear that Cbad? NEEDS.

Last Sunday I participated in the Carlsbad 5000 All Day 25k for the second year in a row (here is last year’s recap). Running 5 5k races (not a 25k course) is awesome and exhausting at the same time. Let’s face it, runners I can’t help but getting caught up in the “race” factor for at least one race.

I got parked around 6:15 a.m. and made my way to the VIP tent. The all day 25k’ers are well taken care of!

After checking my bag and getting to know a few people and I headed out for a half mile warm up. My plan was to run hard in the first race and then go 10kish pace for the last 4. I also wanted to make sure I finished in the top 250 during my age group race so that I would medal (only the top 250 get medals in each division. Motiviation to run hard).

Around 6:50 I made my way to the start.

The first race was the men’s master (40+) and these guys are FAST. Smoking fast. It seemed like I was only waiting a few minutes before the gun went off.

We started out with a slight downhill followed by a quick easy climb that took us out toward the water. Once we made the turn onto Carlsbad Boulevard I decided I was not going to look at my Garmin and just run at an uncomfortable but not “I’m going to puke” effort (I needed to survive all 5 races injury free). I figured if I stayed with the pack of dudes I started with I would be all good. 

Look at what happened…

Holy toledo! More than a 1 min 5k PR! I was elated. Yeah it was a positive split but SO WHAT! I wonder if I would have gone sub 20 if I would have paid attention to pace and pushed a little harder??

My best pace? 5:33. BOO YAH! (ok, it was on a slight downhill at the end, but it still has a 5 in front of it!) I think I have been seriously underestimating myself and my speed. Only time will tell.

Squeeking out a smile while running fast.

I had a 25 min break between race 1 and 2, and then the races came fast! I think I had 10 min between 2-3 and 10 min between 3-4. I took race 2 much easier and then ran at tempo for race 3, 4 and 5.

Bring chased by a 12 year old 🙂

The hardest part on the day was the 90 min break between race 4 and 5. That long of a break is mentally and physically tough.

Final race results as follows:

Finish Time: 1:52:46, 7:16 avg pace.

26/267 all day 25k finishers (last year I was 44th)

4th female overall (last year I was 7th)

Yup that’s a bottle opener. If that doesn’t get you to run the all day 25k, maybe the sweet long sleeve will

If you have ever considered running a 5k this is the one to do. I can’t say enough good about it. The all day 25k is great for marathon training (heck, half marathon training too) and it just plain awesome. Race Grader offered a sweet discount this year so keep your eyes peeled for 2014. They are the ONLY ones that offered a discount off of the 25k.

This race seriously increased my confidence. I am going to see what I can do at La Jolla on April 28th.  Not as concerned with my finish time there as I am my endurance and ability to rebound after the big hill climb. If I can keep my pace sub 9 (say 8:30-8:45) up Torrey Pines reserve and then pace back into the low 7s in the late miles I will be stoked. It’s just all part of training for marathon May. Good times.

Photobomber!

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I’m off to get a few easy miles in before my boy’s baseball game. I was hoping to squeeze yoga in this morning but it doesn’t look promising. Maybe this afternoon. Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!

Oh…one last thing…

I need you all to be prepared for my next post. Regardless of your faith I am pretty sure your mind will be blown. This is life changing people. LIFE CHANGING.