Aiming for sub 20 mins 5k: The journey so far

Race Day! Kilcock 5k

A goal on my radar for the last two years, running a sub 20 min 5k could finally be ticked off tonight!

In 2020, when we set up an online Facebook running group with @anygiventrainingday during the first lockdown, the first challenge we had was running a 5k. Even back then, I thought about the elusive sub-20 min 5k. But that was most definitely ego. I trained hard (albeit stupidly hard) but was nowhere near ready, or intelligent enough as a runner, for a sub-20.

After a few documented failed attempts to break sub 22 mins, I got a PB of 21:55, and I felt that was my absolute limit! I pushed so hard that I got injured and couldn’t run for six weeks after.

The sub-20 seemed impossible until this past February when I crushed that PB time in the Clane 5k with a 20:40 time. Like my previous attempts, I felt sick at the end of the race, that I could offer no more.

But averaging a 4:20 over a half marathon last month has given me hope! The training hasn’t been on track since then, but I feel fitter and stronger than in February. I know I can hold a sub 4 min for the first three km but not sure how the breathing and legs will hold up in the last two, when the race really begins!

So maybe tonight is finally the night where I think one of my biggest bucket list goals off the list in Kilcock!

And on a personal note, I much prefer morning races! This nervous energy throughout the day is not helping; I want to get started asap!

#LetsGoGetEmAgain

#Hoka #Hokaoneone #HokaCarbonx2 #raceday #5k #kilcock #sub205k