Summer 2008, 2009, 2010 – I ran 5ks almost every weekend. My goal was to try to get faster.
April 2008 – 1st 5k – 37:36
November 2010 – 27:30 (I got faster!!)
Then it all changed…
January 2011 – 1st Half Marathon
April 2011 – 2nd Half Marathon
Since there aren’t many 5ks during the colder months, I didn’t feel like I was giving up much.
- Silks & Satins 5k ’10
- Mary & me before the CRSS 5k ’10
September 2011 – 3rd Half Marathon!!
The Dilemma…
Summer 2011:
Do I race the summer 5ks? (I LOVE races.)
Do I skip the 5ks and train? (I NEED to do long runs at a HM pace.)
Do I run the 5ks and train? (I think I am too COMPETIVE to just run a race.)
Should I move my long runs to a weekday? (What about RAIN & LACK of ENERGY after a long day at work.)
Do I Race or Train or can I do Both?
Happy Running (or racing or training!)
My First 5K and More... 
I think you can do both if you do it right..
and by the way I have been lurking for quite awhile
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Run 5k’s that are scheduled on weeks when your shorter long runs are? Then you can still do your longer long runs at race pace and won’t have to move them to a weekday, and you can still get some races in, too!
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I feel like the 5ks are good speed training. If you can fit them in go for the racing too.
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Do what feels right for you.
If I speak for myself: the long runs are the most important runs for me which I do on Saturday morning. I am bad bad bad at running after work, even on short distances so on a weekday is no option.
Most races here in Holland are on Sunday.
What you could try is do your long run on Saturday and race on Sunday if races are on Sunday.
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I don’t know what to say. You love your 5Ks so you should try to do both. You can also run the 5K and then add mileage after. Or, do your long run during the week and leave your weekends open for 5Ks. Of course, all this depends on your heel getting better.
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