This is part 7 of the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project, where WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner is sharing her journey to break 20 minutes in the 5k, in her 50s, in real time.

Feel free to join the journey from here; it's not mandatory to listen to previous episodes in order to enjoy this one. Previous episodes will provide more context around this project and provide details about the many exciting lessons Cherie has learned so far.

This episode picks up where Cherie left off in late July: she'd set a new PR in the 5k and then taken a break from racing for 6 weeks.

During the 6-week break, Cherie put some longer distance races on her schedule so she could work on holding a challenging pace for a longer period of time. This is a skill that is a challenge to her, mostly mentally. She chose a 4-miler, 5-miler, and a 10k. One race a week for three weeks.

Cherie shares the successes and challenges she experienced with these three races. Then she dives into how she navigated running and racing during the huge life change of moving from Cork, Ireland, back to Boston, Massachusetts. Suffice to say, it wasn't easy.

This episode ends with a return to racing and training back in the US, shaking off the big move, and the exciting events Cherie has on the horizon.

About this project: In June of 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Louise Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 55 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:19. Cherie's current day 5k PR is 21:01 (set June 2024).

This update spans late July to early October 2024. To catch up on all past episodes check out the links and publication dates below.

Come along for the journey.

Links and Publication Dates to Earlier Episodes in this Series

Find the whole series here.

Part 1, pub date (September 8, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-1/id1495427631?i=1000627157697

Part 2, pub date (October 27, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-2/id1495427631?i=1000632786362

Part 3, pub date (January 5, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-3-the-reset/id1495427631?i=1000640614612

Part 4, pub date (March 25, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-4-the/id1495427631?i=1000650320154

Part 5, pub date (May 28, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part/id1495427631?i=1000657010943

Part 6, pub date (July 23, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part/id1495427631?i=1000663065105

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iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631

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Music Credits

Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh

penguinmusic, via Pixabay

Coma-Media, via Pixabay

Rockot, via Pixabay

RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay

Grand Project, via Pixabay

Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories

Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project

WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories

Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories

Website: womensrunningstories.com

Email host Cherie: [email protected]

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