Category Archives: 5K

Giving it your all even if you’re not the prettiest in the pack

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Christopher Cudworth

Earlier this week I was scrolling through YouTube videos letting the algorithms toss old road and track races my way when a mid-80s video of the Gasparilla 15K popped up in the feed. The race featured a few familiar names … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 5K, Christopher Cudworth, competition, cross country, marathon, marathon training, running | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

That’s a long time in a pair of Nike Pegasus

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Something in me still holds a warm spot for Nike shoes. Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, 5K, Christopher Cudworth, college, competition, cross country, running, steeplechase | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hard effort feels the same at every age

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Our Sunday morning run yesterday consisted of seven miles from North Aurora up to Batavia and back. Sue had a modest tempo run planned after the previous day’s 40m time trial and 10K brick run on Saturday. I rode 32 … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 5K, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, competition, cycling, cycling the midwest, triathlete, triathlon | Leave a comment

Winning means different things to different people

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

On a chilly October day in October, 1983, I stood on the starting line of a race in downtown Oak Park, Illinois. It was fifty degrees outside. Rain had fallen the night before and the clouds still formed a low, … Continue reading →

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There’s always someone faster than you, and often it’s a woman

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

Yesterday afternoon was hot. Ninety-plus degrees hot. But my planned run on the Great Western Trail promised shade for much of the way. So I parked the car and wandered over to the trailhead and stretched a bit. A mother … Continue reading →

Posted in 5K, aging, Christopher Cudworth, college, competition, cross country, healthy aging, running | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

We’re all on a lifelong mission of self-recovery

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

At one point during my early 20s, I worked part-time jobs while training nearly full-time as a distance runner. Though I knew I wasn’t world class by any means, the mood among serious runners in the early 80s was one … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, 5K, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, anxiety, cycling, healthy aging, IRONMAN, marathon, racing peak, swimming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What kind of engine do you have?

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Christopher Cudworth

My wife’s coach recently made her chuckle while discussing her training. “You’ve got a diesel engine,” he told her. “We want to spread your speed and energy out over the whole race.” That got me thinking about what kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, 400 meter intervals, 400 workouts, 5K, aging, aging is not for the weak of heart, marathon, marathon training, running | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Reunion of Champions

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Christopher Cudworth

Last evening I received a call from Paul Mullen, a college roommate and teammate from both cross country and track. He works in Development for my alma mater Luther College. He wanted to reach out because he is super excited … Continue reading →

Posted in 400 meter intervals, 400 workouts, 5K, aging, Christopher Cudworth, competition, cross country, track and field | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Athlete’s Lament

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Christopher Cudworth

I didn’t get up and work out at the crack of dawn this morning. In fact, I didn’t get up at all until about 6:24 a.m. That’s late for me. More typically I’m either out the door running, dipped into … Continue reading →

Posted in 10K, 13.1, 5K, aging, competition, mental health, race pace | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A Turkey Trot treatise

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Christopher Cudworth

A Thanksgiving morning road race has become a tradition for millions of runners. Our local race is four miles, which is about the perfect racing distance for the masses. A little longer than the typical 5K, yet not as taxing … Continue reading →

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