"You are only Running 5?", said a lady to me condescendingly. "Try catching me on the run and then talk to me about it", I replied and walked away. This conversation happened on the way to the start line of only my second 5k race.
 |
| Chilling on a Full Marathon |
As distance runners, especially experienced ones, we very often tend to overlook the 5k as being something for newbies who are just starting off. It is more of a walking carnival than a run, people say. But at the start line of many of these timed 5ks, we often see some lean runners who effortlessly fly past you. And if you visit another 5k race the following week, you may see them doing the same again! I personally have run very few 5k races, but I have thoroughly enjoyed each of them. What makes the 5k so much fun and such a great race distance?
 |
| Take-off phase |
Let me share the story of the run I mentioned in the introduction. That day, I raced my way to a personal best 5k timing. On the last few 100 metres, I had my heart racing like a Formula 1 car and my lungs burning like the boiler of a steam engine. Despite all of this, I was perfectly fine through the day which happened to be a working day. Despite the intensity, it is so short that one can recover from the effort very rapidly and within a few of days, give another all out effort. Think about how long the body feels sore after a hard marathon or half-marathon. Though the concept of Park-runs is not common in India, it is extremely popular in Western countries where even people who race sub 2:30 full marathons race regularly to get some speed infused 5k racing over several weekends in their training cycles.
 |
| Nearly finished before the finish line |
The start of any 5k, it is always chaotic. It tends to have newbies, first time runners, etc. all bolting out in a flash. For experienced runners who train and race longer distances, it is fun to start in such chaos, going out quickly with the pack. But then gradually the inexperienced guys peel off one by one, till say the third kilometre. After which you realise that you have enough energy and aerobic strength to push and sustain the effort for the next 2 kilometres. It is even more fun when you have a buddy running alongside to push the pace. And before you know it, you cross the finish line with nobody going past you and you blazing past most people who started in front of you.
So should a marathon or half marathon regular race a 5k. Of course, it depends!! If you are a person who only likes running on one gear and enjoys only those long, slow, easy runs which are the bread and butter run for every marathoner, then you may find a 5k too much to digest. But if you love the short and quick intervals, fartleks and tempo sessions which also form an important part of a marathon training cycle, the thrill of a 5k gives a rush like no other! Try signing up for the next timed or untimed 5k and experience the hurricane!!
Comments
Post a Comment