Usually if a race says that it's a certain distance it's been accurately measured and verified - certainly in the UK if they have a race permit, it will have been accurately measured. There are some races which say they're roughly a certain distance and make it clear that they're not accurately measured, but I tend to assume that if it's being promoted as a 5k, they've measured it. The website measuring sites can be a bit out depending how accurate you are at placing the markers.

Three easy miles with my students tonight, and then I got to chill out and watch them do hill sprints. I'm still having that tightness and soreness in my left hamstring, but I'm hoping it'll go away!

Thanks for the information everyone!

I should, of course, have trusted that the 5k would be accurate considering it is sanctioned by the Association of International Marathons and is used as a qualifying run for the Boston Marathon...for those doing the full marathon of course!

Maria - I still tend to doubt it's the shoes (although anything is possible). The one knee was just one time. I've had the shoes for a few months. They were fitted at a proper store and great from day one so I don't think that's it. I think you got it right on the second suggestion and that it's likely overuse. I did ramp up the training a bit. I'm pulling back some so I make sure that I can enjoy the day.

Feeling much better today!

I have had races be not accurate, if they are small races, often they are measured with inaccurate measuring devices. Hood - to Coast is a notoriously inaccurate large event. I think in the states unless the race is listed as USTAF or similar certified, it cant be trusted completely

actually...not to be a wet towel ...but I find the most likely events to not be accurate are the shorter races associated with a larger race...just like what you are saying. I would not be at all surprised if a 5K associated with a marathon would be off a little

They certify the heck out of the "big race" but the little race is usually an afterthought. But also, what they tell you the course will be on a map, and what they actually end up placing the cones may be slightly different.

Just my experience. I did a "10k" last year in conjunction with a "20.07K" (next year it will be a 20.08K"). They remeasure the 20K every year to get that 0.0X right on, but they havent remeasured the 10K in several years and it was a good 0.2 short. Its right down the street from my house so I neurotically went back and measured it by GMAPS, Garmin, Car odometer and Calibrated Bike odometer and it was short by all measurements.

Ran 5.75 miles with the cross country team tonight. Supposed to be 6 miles but when I got close to the school I found one of our students had become dehydrated and collapsed. Eek! He's ok now -- just didn't drink enough water today.

I twisted my ankle a little and it's still hurting now. That's no good!

feel better Lisa

I had a COLD 15 miles this morning. It was 56 when I left the house which is normally well in to shortsleeved weather especially for a long run. But it just kept getting colder and colder and the wind was icy. By the end I couldnt feel my arms.

Got back and it was 49. I am guessing the coldest was right at sunrise when the clouds moved away before the sun was actually up, probably dipped well below 50.

I did a 5 mile race in my local park this morning. I wasn't sure whether I was going to do it, and it wasn't really a target race, so I ran yesterday and then went out and drank a bit too much red wine last night. I was hungover this morning, but it was a lovely morning so I decided to go out and see what I could do.

I'm pleased and disappointed at the same time. When we set off I was sitting in 3rd place (women) for the first 2 miles or so, but I started to fade a bit (probably because of the tired legs and red wine), and someone from running club overtook me. I know I'm usually faster than she is, but I just couldn't face pushing myself hard enough to catch up with her - I'm meant to be doing a long run tomorrow so didn't want to use all my energy on the race. So I finished 4th, which is the highest I've ever managed, but I know that I could have got 3rd if I'd been a bit more committed. Still, it's a good sign I suppose. It was only a small race, but 4th is still 4th.

I just about got a PB. I am fairly sure that I could do 5 miles faster than I did today, but the route surprised me by being mainly on trails rather than footpaths/roads, so I suppose that might have slowed me down a bit too.

Also, I've just seen the results of the relay I did at the start of the month. I think we'd finished fourth on our leg, but it turns out that one of the teams just in front of us were given a time penalty so we actually got third place

That's fantastic, Helen!!

I finally got up and did a long run today. I realized I hadn't done one longer than six miles in nearly a month, so I did 10 miles today. It wasn't easy, but I made it and I had around a 11:15 pace. It felt good to do a nice long run for a change.

It's a beautiful day for a run here! Sunny (I love the sun) and about 20C - I think that's about 65 F. Just lovely.

I decided to just take it nice and slow and see if that helped me enjoy my run. As I said before, the last few 5k's have been hard so I ignored the time and just kept it nice and easy. So, the difference between a hard 5k and an easy 5k for me? A minute and a half. Funny what a difference it made. The question for next Sunday will be - time or enjoyment! I know I should just enjoy, especially since I'm not even sure how accurate my ipod is for distance.

I know lots of you love the cold for running btu I'm not sure that I'll be one of them. I don't mind a little heat and sweat but we'll see. If I have to, I'll hit the treadmill for the winter!

Hope everyone else has a great run too!

Awesome 5K today...I wasnt expecting much since it was a 1st time race and they did have a couple major goofs (no online presence or registration and the same day as the second largest Race for the Cure in downtown) but the support was fantastic. I dont like 5K's but I will do this one again.

And super psyched about my time..24:03. If you had ever told me that I could break the 8 min mile barrier I would have said you were high. And there was a pretty big hill in the middle, my first and 3rd miles were both ~7:30 pace.

I dont do 5K's often..that was my first one since 2005 but that was a 5 minute PR.

My only growl is they didnt do AG awards - only top 2 open and masters. This would have been the first time I could have gotten one ever. It was an out and back course so I know there were 7 (possibly 6) women ahead of me. 3 were clearly VERY young. 2 were the masters winners, so at most 2 women in the vast AG of 21-40 were ahead of me. And I may never know since they had no online presence for registration, I dont know if results will be anywhere.

Howdy everyone! Things have been so busy lately, I haven't had time to post. And when I do get hear, I read Lisa is having all sorts of injury issues - fortunately, none sound serious, but make sure you take care of yourself!

It has been a glorious week of weather here - perfect temps for running. With the marathon approaching, I've been restraining myself from going on longer runs, but it is soooo tempting when the weather is so nice. Ennay, I'm sure you can guarantee that Portland will be perfect weather (including rain-free) in two weeks, right?

I'll do my best Rachel! The first weather prediction should come in on Thursday or Friday this week with no accuracy whatsoever. Temps were perfect today and yesterday. Rain called for next week....

Long time, no post here.

Lisa - sorry you've had some issues, hope they clear up soon.

ennay - What a great 5k time!

I still haven't found the posted times from my race yesterday, I e-mailed them to ask when and where they'll be posted. By my stopwatch my time was 31:06, about 30 seconds faster than my last 5k. I haven't really been training too hard so I guess I'll take it.

This cooler weather is making running so much more pleasant. Best enjoy it while I can before it gets too cold!

Good luck with the final weeks of training you marathoners.

Thanks for the support, guys -- I think my issues are clearing up. I felt pretty good on my 10 miles yesterday, all things considered, and today I felt just fine. We had a tough hill workout at cross country practice -- eek! Fun but tough.

Hi runners! Ran 4 very sticky miles today - suddenly, the heat and humidity of August have returned to Chicago for one last blast. This tapering stuff is crazy - I barely felt like I started my run when it was time to turn around and come home!

Lisa, glad to hear things have improved injury-wise. Make sure you take care of yourself, you're a coach, people are depending on you!