5K racing update

So for those of you who remembered my last post, my question posed was “can an aging, experienced, 52-year-old, post THR runner get faster?”  And the trial is essentially eight 5K‘s over a four month period to prove it … well here is how it’s going:

May 27, 2023 – ParkRun 5k: 21:17 (good weather for Central Florida; only in the mid-60s)

June 10 – Clermont triathlon series 5K: 21:36 (very hot weather, typical central Florida)

June 12, 2023 – NACDA 5k: 22:06; (not sure if the course was accurately measured, very hot weather,course runner on golf course cart paths too; summary: not a fast course, and only two days rest from last 5K)

July 4 – Tuesday – Freedom 5k – Clermont: 20:54 (hottest day of the year thus far and a hilly course; but a big race, and “home town pride on the line“

July 8 – Clermont triathlon series 5k: heavy rain from about 3/4 of a mile till the end of the race making my Feet definitely heavier, but ran 21:08.

So like many things in life, not a total linear progression, but as of right now I’m about 30 seconds faster at 5K than I was back in May.

Knock on wood I am feeling healthy so I will keep training appropriately, which means most of all safely and second and third of all more mileage with a bit more of speed work.  I’ll keep you posted on the progress!