5k PR Day

This past Saturday (2/4/23), Carlie and I aimed to set a personal record (PR) in our 5K. Over the last 12 weeks, we followed a structured 5K training plan to improve speed and performance. While we’ve both run many 5Ks over the years, I’ve personally never focused on reaching a specific time goal. I usually run for fun and go with the flow.

The Training

We completed a 12-week training program called Fast 5K, created by running coaches Kimberly Clark and Tyler Underwood. Both have impressive running accomplishments and have helped countless runners improve their speed and performance. You can check out their Instagram accounts, @trackclubbabe and @tunderface, to see their achievements and the runners they’ve coached. Their website also offers a variety of programs for all levels.

We’ve completed two of their plans: Fast Fall and Fast 5K. Each lasting 12 weeks and featuring a mix of speed workouts, easy runs, and long runs. The plans provide detailed weekly instructions, along with additional resources and guidance to help you get the most out of your training. We really enjoyed both programs and have seen major improvements in our running performance since completing them.

5k Race Day!!

All the training was complete, and it was finally time to see if we could achieve a 5K personal record (PR). On Saturday morning, before leaving the house, we said, “Let’s go get a PR!” and guess what happened? We both ran the fastest 5K of our lives!

It felt amazing to see the results at the finish line. Carlie placed 1st in our age group, and I finished just 11 seconds behind her in 2nd place. Here are our official times:

Cold Weather Running Gear

The morning of our race was a chilly 22 degrees, making for an extra cold running experience. To stay warm and comfortable, we relied on some of our favorite cold-weather running gear:

• Columbia Omni-Heat Baselayer – keeps your core warm without adding bulk
• Columbia Omni-Heat Tights – perfect for retaining heat during long runs
• Nike Running Ear Warmer Headband – protects ears from the cold while staying lightweight
• Nike Running Gloves – keep hands warm without restricting movement

Thank you to Nick Morgan Photos for the featured image.