Aquarium of the Pacific 5k

If I’m being sincere, I used to be disenchanted with my race on the Aquarium of the Pacific 5k. Regardless of working 30 seconds quicker than in each 2023 and 2024, I completed fourth this 12 months. In 2023 and 2024, I used to be second, and all three ladies this 12 months had been round 10 seconds forward of me. Generally you simply don’t have it in you, and I didn’t.

Earlier than the Aquarium of the Pacific 5k

My race began about two weeks in the past once I acquired a head chilly. I knew taking place to race this and the Lengthy Seashore Half would imply getting snug with the concept I most likely wouldn’t really feel nearly as good as I wished. I didn’t know what that meant. To be sincere, I wasn’t even positive I may run below a 7-minute tempo 5k as a result of working quicker than 7:30 tempo felt extremely exhausting. I hadn’t carried out any true velocity work because the Surf Metropolis 10-Mile race two weeks in the past and doubtless the day after is the day I acquired sick. I do know in addition to you do that you just don’t lose health in a few weeks, however it may be exhausting to keep in mind that within the second.

My drive to Lengthy Seashore was comparatively straightforward. I acquired to my lodge early and went to mattress early. I felt refreshed once I woke the subsequent morning and arrived on the Aquarium of the Pacific 5k begin round 6:40 for the 6:50 race begin.

Aquarium of the Pacific 5k Race

Instantly, we had been off and I felt…meh. I used to be working exhausting and located myself in fourth place. I may see the highest three ladies simply forward, so I believed perhaps I may catch them. I by no means did and stayed round 5 seconds behind the whole time.

The primary mile of the Aquarium of the Pacific 5k is the one really flat mile (though there are many turns). I hit mile 1 in 6:18 and was pleasantly stunned. It felt exhausting however not like I used to be dry heaving or struggling an excessive amount of. I truthfully didn’t assume I’d have the ability to run that quick.

From there, we had a number of turns and went up the bridge. I used to be fairly engaged as a result of I believed there was an opportunity I may catch the third-place lady. I gained on the uphill, however she was capable of draw back on the downhill. I hit mile 2 in 6:30 and was once more stunned…particularly due to the bridge. I believe the bridge has about 40ish really feel of elevation acquire. The Lengthy Seashore Half Marathon additionally goes over it, however it feels so exhausting when you find yourself working your 5k tempo.

I at all times assume mile 3 is the toughest since you return over the bridge, by means of turns, and into the Aquarium. The course runs barely lengthy since I often hit the 5k mark simply as I’m getting into the Aquarium. I saved pushing, considering perhaps I may catch the third-place lady. I observed that the second-place lady was really fading, and we had been each gaining on her, however there simply wasn’t sufficient highway left to catch her. I hit mile 3 in 6:25 and pushed as exhausting as I may by means of the Aquarium.

I crossed the end line in 20:10 and because the fourth lady general.

Aquarium of the Pacific 5k Ideas

To be sincere, I’m undecided how I really feel in regards to the Aquarium of the Pacific 5k. On one hand, it’s my quickest time on the course by 30 seconds…which is loads in a 5k, particularly after being sick. Then again, I’ve been second twice, so ending fourth is hard. However I’m happy with the race I ran, and it feels good to have tangible proof that I’m really getting quicker as a result of generally it may be exhausting to see that within the second.

You may see my Strava right here and browse extra race recaps right here.

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