May Saw Little Work, Lots of Racing!

In late April I ran my first 1-mile race. It went well!  Ran a 6:30 mile at age 60. Not too shabby for this old ultrarunner. On May 1, I retired from my job of 30+ years. I had no immediate vacation plans, so why not race every weekend? So I did. Here are my 5k race results for 5 Saturdays in May (I count Parkrun 5Ks as races since I run them hard):

• May 2: 21:53 actual Kerby Derby race (323 W)
• May 9: 22:53 parkrun (322 W)
• May 16: 24:18 tempo run on treadmill (281 W) 
• May 23: 23:51 parkrun (301 W)
• May 30: 23:52 parkrun in Pittsburgh (313 W)

Some variation, but fairly consistent results. I need to pace myself better from the start using power (watts) as my guide. I tend to go out too fast! Surprised the tempo run was as fast as it was at only 281 watts. Clearly I can do about 320-325 W for a 5k race. Just need to do that steadily from start to finish rather than zooming off at 330-350W at the start, then slowing to barely over 300W at the end. 

Running will suffer while the World Cup unfolds over the next 5 weeks. I'll get in another "out of town" parkrun in Seattle as I catch a soccer match or two. Or five. While watching soccer, I need to get in some long runs for my 4 upcoming ultramarathons: Backyard Ultra in July, Howl at the Moon 8-hour in August, Limestone Rocks 8-hour in September, and Allerton Free Ultra in October. Yikes! Then in early November I have a planned fast half-marathon. I should have the endurance by November, just need tom hold a touch of speed...and not get injured. Hey, I'm retired so I should be older and wiser. I can do this. Really, I can.