Back in training: Phillies 5K Result!

So I guess this is the last update on my training for the Phillies’ 2nd annual 5k race held earlier today. From here on out, I’ll probably post occasional updates on my weight-loss efforts and any other fitness-based events I enter (which will likely be few, if any).

As stated here previously, in addition to my eventual goal of losing a total of 40 pounds, my short-term goal for the Phillies 5K was to finish in less than 30 minutes.

I am pleased to report that I accomplished that goal. Although the times given out after today’s Phillies 5K were yet to be confirmed, my recorded time was 28 min., 12 sec. I’ll update this post with a link to the results once they are posted on Phillies.com.

UPDATE (3/31/2012, 3:10 p.m. ET):
The Phillies 5K results have been posted. My “chip” time was 28 min., 12.541 sec., which—as I understand it—is the time between when the chip affixed to my runner’s bib crossed the starting and finishing lines…which is my actual time. However, it is the “gun” time—which, I believe, is the time between the firing of the starting gun and when you cross the finish line—that determines the rankings. My gun time was recorded at 29 min., 32.712 sec., so I officially came in 1,328th place overall out of 4,096 who finished the race.

As far as male runners are concerned, I finished in 824th place out of 1,758 males who finished the race. Among males between the ages of 40-49 who finished the race, I came in 122nd out of 283.

So the good news…? At least I finished in the top half in all three of those categories (overall, males and males 40-49).

Also, here is the 2012 Phillies 5K Starting Line Video from the Phillies’ web site (don’t even bother looking for me…I was on the side opposite this camera, although I ran right by one that was set up on the other side of the street)

It was also fun seeing a high school classmate of mine, Deb Rinaldi, who has worked in the Phillies’ communications department for a number of years. Except for my friend Jason, I’m pretty sure it was the first face-to-face conversation I have had with somebody I went to high school with in about 13 years.

Background

You can read my post from Jan. 28 for specifics, but—prior to the 2012 Phillies 5K—I finished my only real 5K race in 27 min., 54 sec. back in fall 2006. However, I had been running regularly in the months leading up to it (the first time I ever ran like that in my life) and had lost 35 pounds. Now, after putting all the weight back on and being five-plus years older, my goals are to finish the Phillies 5K in less than 30 minutes (done…28 min., 12 sec.) and lose 40 pounds.

On a personal note, another reason I am doing this is because my wife and I are expecting our first child in early July. I’ll be 41 a few days after my wife gives birth and I want to make sure I’m in shape into my 50s and 60s so I can do things with our kid (or, thinking ahead a bit…kids).

Here is a table with my run distances† and times during this training period: