I had my 5k race last weekend – the Avon Women’s Run in Munich. It was not my first 5k as those of you may know, who have been around for a while (since my previous blog). I did my first 5k in September 2009, so this was my second one, but as it had been so long and I hadn’t run in a long time before August, in many ways it felt like my first.

The race took place on Sunday in the Englischer Garten [English Garden] in Munich. It was a gorgeous day. In fact the entire previous two weeks, we had been blessed with a perfect Indian summer. The race started at 10:30am and I got there between 9am and 9:30am. I wanted to make sure I’d have enough time to find the starting point, check out the booths, etc.

As I walked through the park at 9am, I passed many runners and dog walkers. It was a crisp morning but the park was absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures (with my iPhone as I didn’t have my camera with me).

As I got closer to the Chinese Tower, the start and finish of the race, I heard drumming, and sure enough, there was a Brazilian drumming group cheering the runners on. I spent the remaining time wandering around, and also did a stop by the restroom (we were allowed to use the one of the restaurant nearby, I was so grateful – no porta potties!).

A few minutes before the race was due to start, I went to the start line. I was somewhere right in the middle. It was really crowded, there were hundreds of participants. Madness.

Ready to run the 5k!

From my last 5k I knew that it was more important than anything to pace myself in the beginning. I learned that the hard way during my last 5k and I wasn’t going to make the same mistake again. I listened to music on my mp3 player and just focused on my pace. The first few minutes of the race were really crowded.

The 5k walking race started simultaneously so we had to watch out for the walkers and their walking sticks (which I learned to hate during the race). The first 2-3km of the race went pretty well. I noticed early on I wouldn’t be able to finish the race without walking breaks. It had gotten really sunny and warm, and I am not a warm weather runner at all. I took my first walking break 11 minutes into the race, and every few minutes after that.

I ran the first 3km of the race at a pace of a little under 8min/km – quite a bit faster than my training runs, and I really had a hard time during the last 2 kilometers. My friend who also ran the race but whom I hadn’t met up with, found me somewhere between km 3 and 4, and we ran the last third of the race together.

I had set myself a goal of finishing in under 45:00 – which I decided was realistic even though it meant pushing myself a little more than in my training runs. About 3km into the race I had even hoped to finish in under 40 minutes, but I couldn’t keep up the pace. I ended up finishing in 42:52, a time I am really happy with. I do think there is loads of room for improvement, though. I would love to run an entire 5k sometime soon, and keep an even pace throughout the race. I know that if I keep running regularly, a sub-40 5k is absolutely possible.

I didn’t take any pictures during the race, but I managed to find some online from the finish. I do look like I’m about to die, but damnit, I was going to run through the finish line. Actually, except for the red and sweaty face, I think these are pretty good pictures.

And we made it! A few minutes after the run ended, we were both all smiles again and super happy that we finished, and in under 45 minutes too.

All in all, this race was much better than my first, but at the same time I know I can do better! I want to start training for a 10k now, and I hope that as I drop the pounds, my pace will get better too. Running a 5k in 30 minutes would be a dream come true! One day…

Have you run a race before? What was your first 5k like? Any tips you’d like to share?