34 year old back running for about 8 months after 15 years effectively off. I ran a 5k time trial today on a course I plan to run again next weekend, on very flat course with one minor, 200m long hill with a gentle grade. I know the distances and times to be precise because I biked out the course with my CatsEye odometer.
I know I should be targetting somewhere closer to 6:05 per mile based on my training, but I am awful at assessing pace out of the gate. I realized my pacing error at the 1/4 mile point and sort of overcorrected (truth is I was trying to do a tempo on the course but my HR monitor wasn't giving me a reading and it was the first very cool fall day in my area and I guess my eagerness got the best of me). I decided after about a mile and a half to run it as hard as I could the rest of the way.
25 - 1:25 (5:40/mi)
.5 - 3:05 (6:40/mi)
1.0 - 6:14 (6:18/mi)
2.0 - 12:25 (6:18/mi)
3.093 6:19 (5:46/mi) = 18:44 (6:03 pace overall)
I was gassed at the end. Had to sit down for a few minutes to catch my breath before cooling down. So, given this, with smarter racing and an even-paced effort, does it seem reasonable that I could average sub 6's (5:57-58) the whole way, by going out, say, at 6:00 fllat?
I know these aren't exciting times, but it's very satisfying to be getting in shape again, and fun to chase after PRs as a hobby jogger. I appreciate any thoughtful feedback.