5 days till the 8k

So on Sunday, March 30, I will run my first 8k (5 mile) race. I'll be participating in the Shamrock Shuffle in downtown Chicago, probably the biggest 8k in the country. I honestly don't enjoy running; it takes a toll on my arched feet when I go more than a couple of miles. Typically, I used to run three miles when I would push myself hard. But I have pushed myself incredibly hard on the treadmill over the last five weeks. Maybe I should have ran outside? OK, when the temperature hits 50 degrees, then I'll consider it.

Here's the list of runs I have done in the last two months.

1/27 3.50 miles in 28:00

1/30 5.0 miles in 43:00

2/8 5.0 miles in 42:00

2/12 5.02 miles in 41:00

2/18 5.05 miles in 41:30

2/23 5.0 miles in 40:00

2/25 5.0 miles in 40:00

2/28 5.02 miles in 39:55

3/4 5.20 miles in 41:00

3/8 5.05 miles in 39:45

3/10 3.50 miles in 26:32

3/13 3.51 miles in 26:45

3/15 2.0 miles in 16:00

3/17 4.5 miles in 34:00

3/19 5.0 miles in 39:45

3/21 3.0 miles in 23:00

3/23 5.6 miles in 46:15

3/25 3.0 miles in 23:00

Going back to January, I have cut more than three minutes off my five miles running time. So I'm feeling pretty proud about that. As for Sunday, I don't know how the elements are going to affect my speed and endurance. Thankfully, there aren't hills to deal with and weather is supposed to be nice maybe 50 and sunny. I would be thrilled if I could finish in under 40 minutes, or under 8 minutes a mile. I definitely want to finish in less that 45 minutes though.