Runaway 5k

  So I had my 5k this Saturday.
  One thing all the running blogs and magazines I've read stress is that a runner should always check the course prior to the race so they know what to expect.  I've never been one to follow this rule.  Many times over I've learned that if I would have checked the course prior I probably would not have run the race.
  This race is a great example of that - had I drove the course earlier in the week, I can guarantee that I would not have run it.  It was, by far, the hardest course I have had in a long time.  Since I've moved away from NC, I haven't had a chance to run steep hills (they were a part of my running/training in NC).  So as I've said many times before, I've become (sadly) used to flat land or slight hills.
  This course was major hills - 3 hills to start, a down slope, another hill, flat land to turn around and then back to the hills to end.
  My first time was 6 min (I think that was the half mile mark).  I ran about a half mile and had to stop and walk up the rest of the hill.  It was just too steep for me, especially right at the start.
  I didn't catch my second time (at the half-way mark).   As I was heading back, my time at the original 6 min mark was 27 min.  I was pretty sure at that point I was no where near the end and would not be close to my usual 31 min mark.
  However, once I crested the last hill I knew the end was in sight.  I got the starting pieces of my "end race" song and stepped it up a bit.  Just as I saw the finish line I realized my running partner Jeff was walking to it.  I tapped him on the back and told him he HAD to run across the finish line with me and we both timed in at 34:27.
  At first I was very unhappy with my time (I'm being honest) but after talking it over with many different people, I came to realize that they were right - 34 minutes is really good for a course with many hills that I was not prepared for.  So, in the end, I am very proud of my time.  The last time I ran a course with hills I came in around 40 minutes so even after all these years, I'm still getting better.
Go me! :)

Just keeps getting better...

  So my goal this week (if I can do it) is to run each morning (possibly taking Friday off) until the race.
  I woke up this morning and text messaged joey to see if she was up and ready.  I didn't get a response (later saw a message on fb from her) so I figured I'd go back to sleep.  After laying in bed for about 10 minutes I knew I would not be able to fall back asleep.
  I got up and dressed, stretched on the bench outside of my building and started my run.  This was my first run outside, in the morning, in a long time.  I ran almost a full mile in the heat, walked about a minute, ran another .25, walked another minute and then finished the last .25 to my apartment.
  I was very hot and tired but I did it.  The whole time I kept thinking back to when I used to run campus and could barely make it a half mile and look how far and fast I was going.  I was so proud of myself.  And I always feel better after my morning run so it was the best decision I could have made.
  Tomorrow is class so I'm looking forward to that.  I've asked my instructor to set me up with a training goal sheet if he has the time.  I have my own goals but I want to make sure I'm training the right way and not hurting myself.
  I've also decided that since it will be hot at Saturday's race, I'm not going to focus on my time - I'm going to work on how much I run.  I want to try to get at least 2 miles straight so we'll see.  I think I may ice my leg tonight because it's a little sore this afternoon.
  Hopefully everyone else is enjoying the beautiful day. :)

Run run run

  Sorry the updates have been sporadic lately.  I had a long, event-filled (but not exercise filled) weekend.  With the gym closed I've been slacking horribly on my weekend runs.  Not a good thing...
  But Joey has said that this week she is attempting to get up at 6.30am with me and run.  We went to the gym this morning because they were calling for a horrible storm (which, of course, started the minute we walked out of the gym) so we hit the track.
  And boy did I hit the track!  I was so proud of myself this morning.  I figured I'd do a mile and a half and then walk a few seconds and finish with a mile.
  I hit my wall around a half mile, pushed through and then managed to run the entire 2.25 miles non-stop.  Oh yea, that's right - NON-STOP!!
  I've never done that before.  Ever.  I passed the 1.5mile mark and figured "eh, I can do 4 more laps" and ran.  Then I hit the 2 mile mark and couldn't stand the thought of walking when I only had 2 more laps to go.  So, I pushed myself and thankfully one of my power songs hit and I just started sprinting the last 2 laps. :)
  I felt so accomplished when I was finished.  Words can't describe how great it felt.  Now to keep that up when I actually race.
  I did the 2.25 at a slower pace but with the last 2 laps faster I managed to get it all done in 25 minutes.  If I was going for a 5k that would have put me 3 min past my best time so I need to work on my speed but for right now, I'm just happy to have endurance for that long.  I'm going to hopefully get up each morning this week and practice (maybe taking Friday off since my race is Sat) and we'll see how it goes.
  The goal this race isn't so much time as it is seeing how much I can run and how little I can walk.
  I'll keep you informed. :)

Runners vs. Walkers

  So I know I'm being a brat, but I realized lately that I strongly feel that tracks should either designate walker lanes or there should be two different tracks.
  Case in point - today I was really, really pushing myself on the track.  I was literally trying to stay awake at my desk this afternoon.  I didn't sleep well the night before (nightmares) and woke up to rain at 6am so I didn't get my morning run in like I wanted to.  So, I got dressed in my running gear and patiently waiting for 5pm to hit.
  Walked to the gym and got ready to run.   Normally when I run the track on Thurs. it's with an older couple (who stay on the far right lane) and my fellow runner Jeff and our instructor (they are working out together).  That gives me 3 lanes to run in.
  Today, that was not the case.  I kept having to dodge walkers!  Two girls were walking directly in the 2 center lanes, two other students were walking in the 2 left lanes and then myself and the few other runners were dodging around them every chance we got.
  As a runner, I know that as soon as I stop running, I need to get over and out of the way.  It's just common courtesy.  But no one today (except the older couple) seemed to understand that.  Ugh!
  But anyway, I got 2.5 miles in. Today was a hard run - mostly because I was so tired.  I ran a straight mile, walked a half lap, did 5 laps, walked a half lap, did 3 laps (to finish 1 mile), walked a half lap and then did 4 more laps.
  My music was really, really helpful today.  It kept me aware of my time and also two songs gave me that extra umph! when I was about ready to crawl up and die.  Sometimes that's my favorite part of running - when my legs hurt and burn and I want nothing more than to quit but a song comes on my shuffle and I just HAVE to run to it.  Makes all the difference!
  After I left the gym I went to Joey's to eat some leftovers and we decided to hit Riverside.  I wasn't going to run (even though I was still in my running clothes) but she brought her longboard and in order to keep up and continue talking I had no choice.  So... I got in a little over another .5 miles of running.  That made my total for today 3 miles and then some.  I was so proud of myself.  My running at Riverside was super slow - I was in no rush so I figured I'd work on my slower pace and did pretty well.  It also pushed my steps close to 50,000 for the week so far.  That is awesome as my goal is to have my weekly total as close to 80,000 as possible.  That's a little over 5 miles a day of walking/running.  Something I should be doing anyway.
  Off to bed now - need some sleep before tomorrow night.  Hoping to get a quick after-work run in and then off to see my favorite cover band again!

Great Morning!

  This morning was great - just like when I started the class.  I miss those days.  Jeff was back in class so I had someone to keep me in check with my speed.
  We started out with a slow mile - just under 11minutes.  I usually do between a 9.30 and 9.50 mile.  Really made me sweat and work my upper thighs.
  After we finished our first mile we did fartleks - a set of 3 laps, 2 laps, 1 lap.  Jeff kicked my butt on those!  I kept up with him on the first set, started falling behind on the second set.  The last lap I tried to take the lead but he came out of nowhere and ended up beating me by a good amount. 
  The last mile was even harder.  We went at about a 10.50 min mile.  It was hard pushing myself that hard - yes, it is actually hard to go slow.  Who knew?  But, I finished it all.  Made me very happy.  The fartleks were the hardest and most impressive for me today.  My first time I barely made 3 laps without puking.  This morning I did 6 laps total and didn't throw up.  That's amazing for me!
  Later this morning was interesting... I usually eat my breakfast at my desk.  3/4 cup of cheerios and about a tbsp of skim milk.  Today I felt like I needed some extra protein so so I also made a little something extra - an orowheat sandwich thin with 1 tbsp of Peter Pan pb.  As soon as I finished the last bite I had to run to the bathroom - I really thought I was going to throw up.  Who knew my stomach couldn't handle that much food?  Guess I'll be sticking to my 100 calorie Cheerios and not over 300 calories.
  And on another good note - I weighed in on my wii and lost another 1.3lbs.  Slowly getting closer to my goal!  Makes me so happy - both my weight loss and my improvement in running.  Go me!
  Even more exciting - my student who signed up for Friday class has impressed the instructor so much they want to bump her up to my class on Wed.  They feel she can handle it.  That's such great news! I'm so proud of her!