I’ve come to refer to Lawyers Have Heart as the race I love to hate. Basically, I love the cause but hate the course. Since I decided to do the 5K instead of the 10K, I’ve discovered there’s less to hate, and I may even grow to love it–although the humidity this time of year is always a challenge.
I first switched to the 5k last year (you can read why here), and I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to the 10K distance!
2019 Lawyers Have Heart 5K Race Recap
The race has an early start time (7:15 am), so even though the logistics are relatively simple, I left the house shortly before 6:00 am. I wasn’t sure how to access the Kennedy Center garage with all the construction going on, but it turned out to be easy. I had plenty of time to drop my bag in my office, make a pit stop, and chat with co-workers who also were running.
The race starts and ends under the Whitehurst Freeway (and the first and last mile of the 5K are on the Whitehurst Freeway), which gets very loud with the pre-race chatter of a few hundred people. I couldn’t understand any of the announcements, but somehow people knew to be quiet for the National Anthem.
The 5K route is basically an out-and-back, but there are two hairpin u-turns–first to get on the freeway, and then at the halfway point.
The 5K route is in purple.
I was aiming for an 8:00 pace, and nailed it pretty well according to my Garmin.
My official race pace was 8:05, which may be more accurate given how wonky my Garmin map is for the time I was under the Whitehurst Freeway–I’ll have to keep that in mind when I’m pacing myself next year.
I did not veer off-course like that!
Coming in second in my age group isn’t quite as fun as coming in first (like I did last year), but I’ll take it. 🙂
I thought my Garmin heart rate data was interesting–so much green!
My highest heart rate was in the middle of the race,
but I swear I felt worse at the end!
While pushing my pace during a 5K isn’t fun, I think I will continue to participate in the Lawyers Have Heart 5K–and keep supporting the American Heart Association.
I’m joining the Tuesday Topics link up hosted by Kim and Zenaida.
Do you run different race distances or stick with your favorite?
Does my heart rate data suggest I should have been able to run harder?
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I don’t know how you felt when you ran but I think all that OTF is really working for you! Congrats on another great race and AG place!
I’m sure it is! We had a 12 min “benchmark” run a few weeks ago where I held that 7.0 mph (8 mm) pace, so I knew I “just” had to double that. LOL!
Congrats on the AG award! I have started to love the 5K distance lately too. I can push myself for the short amount of time it takes to run a 5K. Anything longer than that and I find myself much less likely to push the pace.
I’m still not a huge fan because it takes so much non-running time for so little running time, but I can cope with it once in a while. 😉
I think our race recaps are kind of similar! Down to the construction blocking me from parking. Although ours starts much later — I do wish it would start earlier. I do like all distances (that I’ve tried); they all have their own challenges.
Great job coming in 2nd in your AG! Congrats!
Congrats on that age group placement! I felt the same way about this 10k, I like it in theory but didn’t love the experience as much as I wanted to. That’s a good point about the 5k, maybe I’ll try that next year 🙂
The 5K is definitely better! Would love to see you there. 🙂
You know I’m all over the place with races of every distance. Even though I love the longer distances more, the shorter races do offer a great challenge in terms of speed (which I’m still trying to figure out as each distance summons a different pace). I actually have a local 5K this weekend…and I’m gonna do a few miles before (as a warm-up) and then treat the race as speedwork. We shall see LOL Congrats on that awesome finish time!
That’s a great idea. I didn’t really warm up before the start — I haven’t figured out what helps when you have to line up for the ceremonies 15 minutes ahead.
You sure did nail it! Nice pacing and nice 2nd place there friend
Congrats on the Age Group!
LOL re: off course. I was apparently water skiing the other morning. Who knew?!?
I do think we’re all trained in some way to ssh at the first few bars of an anthem whereas no one really wants to hear more remarks
LOL on the water-skiing. I Chicago I usually zip back and forth across the river.
I’m just amazed that anyone heard the first few bars. It was crazy loud!
Amazing job on this 5K, especially that AG award!
Thanks! I was holding my Orange Theory push pace — can’t wait until you try it!
Awesome job on your pacing and congrats on your AG!
Thanks! It’s one race that really is mostly flat so you can hold a steady pace.
Congrats on the AG award! I usually stick to the same distance in races.
Most of my races are 10 milers, once in a while I do a half or a 5K.
10 milers is a great distance for a race!
Congratulations!! You smoked the 5K! So interesting that you’re mostly in Zone 3…I don’t think I’ve ever been at that level during a race, even when I try to keep my HR low. That just shows how strong of a runner you are!