Happy Friday, y’all! Per usual, I’m linking up with Mar and Cynthia and this week we are going crazy with an August Free Friday! That’s right – post what ya like 🙂 I decided to focus on the 20k I’m running this weekend. You can read our linkup rules here. Please note that if you don’t play nicely, we will delete your link. Have a great weekend!
Five things about the Leesburg 20k:
- First 20k race. Yep, new distance = instant PR! Woot woot! I’m kind of excited because it’s basically a half marathon but not quite a half marathon (a 20k = 12.4 miles, FYI). I’m using this race as a reality check before my goal half marathon next month.
- First time racing in Leesburg, VA. Leesburg is just under an hour from my house — and because it’s a bit far, Julie and I are actually sharing a cheap hotel room so we can sleep in later race morning. I mean, come on, a girl’s gotta get her rest, right? 🙂
- A goal for the race: If everything aligns on race morning (and given the predictions of heat and humidity, this probably won’t be the case), I’d like to run this race in 1:54.
- B goal for the race: 1:58. If this is my time, it means that my sub 2 goal is really in sight and I just have to kick it into gear on race day.
- C goal for the race: Finish smiling. This always belongs on the list. Honestly, I haven’t really done the math to calculate these goals and how realistic they are, but I know they are ambitious and I still have a month until the half. So, I think the most realistic scenario is hitting somewhere between my B and C goal. I’m going to try and run 9:30 pace for the first six miles and then drop pace the second half of the race. We’ll see how this goes!
Have you ever run a 20k? Any advice for me?
A 20K sounds so fun! I’ve never done that distance, it would feel cool to end before 13.1!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! recently posted…Blue Nectar Yoga Studio – Falls Church, VA
i’m looking forward to this new distance!
I have never done a 20k before. It definitely sounds like a good distance to attempt. I usually get to the 12 mile marker of my half marathons and start to loose steam. so I’m curious how I’d do with a 20k. Good Luck either way mama!!! I’m sure you’ll do great!
Haley @ running with diapers recently posted…Five Things I’m loving This Friday Five
haha, i’m curious too 🙂
I’ve looked at this race. I’ve heard it is BEAUTIFUL. You’ve got this!
John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…This Summer I Will… Friday Five Updated
i’m pretty excited for it, john! thanks for the encouragement 🙂
I actually considered this race, but I knew I wouldn’t be long run ready. Have a great time.
John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…This Summer I Will… Friday Five Updated
I’ve never run a 20K but it sounds awesome – it’s an instant PR like you said! Good luck with the race and hopefully it’s not too humid!
Kristen recently posted…Friday Five: The Five Future Things I’m Excited About!
the weather today is perfect, so i’m hoping it’s just like this on race day!
I don’t think I’ve done a 20k – I love automatic PRs though, so maybe one day I will. Looks like you’ll have some good weather this weekend, hope it’s a great race!
M @ readeatwriterun.com recently posted…Friday Five – Free Friday Randomness!
thanks M – I hope so too 🙂
I’ve run the leesburg 20k a few times. It’s a pretty course! It has some hills (unless they have changed it) and August humidity my friends found hard (it didn’t affect me). Have fun and you will do great!
thank you for the encouragement! i’m excited!
My first 20K too – see you there!!
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Race Registration Savings Tips
woooooo! see you sunday! 🙂
Woot woo, you’ll have an instant PR!!! I ran this race in 2004 (1:57:01), so it will be my second 20K. The weather will definitely determine how I want to run this race.
Can’t wait to see you and Julie!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…The Friends I’ve Made On The Running Trails
i can’t wait for the meetup! yay yay yay!! my goal will be to keep you in my line of sight 🙂
Never raced a 20k, but sounds like a perfect test race. Looks like you get perfect racing weather!! Good luck!!
Christine recently posted…Friday Favorites
i sure hope so! thanks 🙂
Can’t wait to run in Leesburg this weekend! See you there!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – August 20th
see you bright and early at 7am! 🙂
Hope you have a great race. Gotta love the new distance for an instant PR! 🙂
Christine @ We Run Disney recently posted…A preview of Ireland in photos
thanks christine! i’m pretty excited!!
Really smart to have 3 goals that your happy with. It is supposed to be a great race. I decided not to do it-I’ve been fighting off a little soreness in my shin again. Enjoy the race looking forward to reading about it
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Friday 5 Cool things from Runnerbox
we’ll miss you tonight but rest up! 🙂
and by tonight i mean sunday!
I’ve never seen a 20k in my area but I think it’s a great pre-race for a half marathon. Great set of goals, I hope you have an awesome race!
thanks april! i’m excited for my insta-PR!
Courtney, I’ve never run a 20K, but we have one coming up and I’d love to do it. I think the distance will be a great tune-up for your half next month; looking forward to hearing all about it! ;)As usual, thanks for the awesome link-up!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…5 Reasons Why You Should Run Shirtless
thanks tara! i’m excited about the race!
I’ve never run a 20K, but the half-marathon is my favorite distance; I’ve run 13 of them (gotta get another one under my belt so that I can change that unlucky number). I’m with you on staying in a hotel room; I wouldn’t want to drive an hour before a race! Good luck on the Leesburg 20K!
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama recently posted…Friday Five: Colorado!
yeah, the drive would be a bummer, so i’m glad i’m staying over 🙂
Yay for instant PRs! And I love your C goal 🙂 You’re right that one should always be in there.
Chaitali recently posted…Friday Five – my weekend
instant PR for the WIN!
i’ve never run a 20k, but would like to. good luck!
kristin recently posted…LANDED: GENEVA
thanks!
Great idea to run a 20K as warm-up to a half marathon! I’m excited for you and can’t wait to read the recap.
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Five Reasons I Love Morning Runs
thanks so much jennifer! i’m excited to run!
I’ve never done a 20k, but I did a 25k. I broke it in to 5k segments. Just mentally check off each 5k, you only have 4 to do! I like goal C: finish smiling!!!!
Bethany recently posted…Friday Five
that’s a great tip! thanks!
Don’t psych yourself out. Youll do great! Wish I could commit to this but just coming back from vaca! Good luck 🙂
Mar @Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: I Heart Vacation!
you will def need some rest to readjust yourself to the real world 🙂 thanks for the kind words, friend!
Finishing with a smile is always a good goal!
Rebecca Jo recently posted…Friday Five: Mistakes I’ve made
it’s my #1 goal 🙂
Always fun to do a new distance – and you gotta love the instant PR! Have fun!!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Friday Five: Things that Make Me Smile
thanks michelle! i’m hoping it’s gonna be awesome 🙂
Good luck! I hope you hit your goal. I am also chasing the sub 2 goal but focusing on my marathon. I hope everything goes well for you on race day!
happy marathon training!
I’m from Leesburg! Its an awesome place, you’ll enjoy it. Where’s the race at?
Chelle @ Blogs Like a Girl recently posted…Friday Five: Five Things That Happened This Week
i think mostly on the w&od!
Good luck and hope you reach your goals with the race!
Des @ Finding the Skinny Geek Within recently posted…Friday Five
thank you!
I’ve never done a 20K before, but it seems like it would be a really fun distance. I have done a 15K and loved that! You are going to do GREAT this weekend!! Good luck! And very very smart on doing the hotel room thing. That’s definitely what I would do!
Lauren recently posted…A week of workouts, the happiest race pics on the planet, and a big life change.
as i sit in the hotel room knowing i don’t have to wake up insanely early, i’m SO happy we did this 🙂
It’s a great goal, and it will make you even more confident for your upcoming half-marathon ~
C.e. recently posted…50k Training Forced Pause and Chocolate Poppin’ Blues
yeah, that is DEF the plan 🙂
Great goals! I’ve never run a 20K before, but would love to eventually. I do enjoy a new race distance (like you said, instant PR!). Good luck – I’m sure you’ll do great 🙂
Heather Runs Thirteen Point One recently posted…friday five: free friday
thank you – i’m interested to see how this will feel compared to a half marathon!
Good luck on your 20k. I have never heard of that race distance. You should have great weather!
the weather was actually way more humid than i would’ve liked but a great race.
Good luck! You set realistic and achievable goals. I have a good feeling you’re going to do really well this weekend.
thanks molly!
Finish smiling = my new #1 goal for my 10K coming up next month! As runners we put so much pressure on ourselves with pace/times/hydration/and on and on. I need to be mindful of the fact that I do this because it’s fun and I love to run!!! Good luck on your race!! 🙂
Michelle @ SFTS recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Things To Do In Pittsburgh This Month!
I’m running too!! Wasn’t planning on it, it was a total last minute decisions. I didn’t have anyone to run my 18 miles with, so decided to do this. I’ll be getting there early to do 3 miles before and then will do 3 miles after! See you there!!
Looks like a really fun 20k. Good luck on your goals for the race. Have good one!
Wow a 20k! You’re going to rock it! Sounds like a great race 🙂
AMP runs recently posted…Friday Five: Hill Work in South Louisiana
I hope the race went well! I never would have guessed you’d have such relatively nice weather mid-August!
Coco recently posted…The Parable Of The Sower
Love how you set A, B, and C goals. I always do that too.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…How Not to Complete a Long Run