So I am happy to say I did the Dogwood Classic 5k and achieved my first starter goal!
The Dogwood Classic is a 5k supporting our local Dogwood Arts festival that happens each Spring. People are encouraged to drive around Knoxville on different loops and really enjoy the beautiful flowers and trees as they are coming back to life.
When I signed up I told my gym buddy "I just want to finish under 40 minutes. I feel that's reasonable since I'll be walking and running. Then what I finish under can be my new finish goal." She agreed it was a good start as well.
The hard part... knowing that you wouldn't even consider that an option a year or more ago. I am working very hard not to compare where I am now to where I was when I could finish a 5k close or less than 30 minutes in. But, I know with practice and discipline, I can get there again, which is my summer goal.
Back to the race - Joel and I signed up and agreed to meet on race day. We both parked about a half mile from the course so we'd be able to stretch our legs and also because they kept letting us know that if you parked near the course and didn't finish by 9:45am you were stuck there until noon due to another event happening. That... wasn't going to happen for me so I parked at the nearby church and just walked over.
When I arrived I let Joel know I was going to run/walk. He said that was fine as he is a speed walker and would be going his own way anyway. I quickly learned that Joel is a faster speed walker than I am when I walk and it took a bit to keep up with him.
I started the race using both my Nike+ training app and my C25K app. With my C25K app I was on Week 4 Day 3 which meant I was running for 3-5-3-5 with walks in between. Overall running a little under 2 miles total in the 30 minutes they allot. I then continued to run once the app ended my time because I wanted to finish as strong as possible.
I'm happy to report the following (not bad for my 1st race... goal is to only get better):
Dogwood Classic 5k results:
Chip time 40:17 (we were closer to the back since we were walking first)
Race time: 39:22
Pace: 12:40 (not bad WITH walking!!)
Overall: 465/600
Female: 238/335 (want to do better and be more in the middle)
Age group: 33/47 (definitely want to do better and be more in the middle for that as well)
Here's our sexy model photo taken by Mary:
I had some pain in my hip later in the day. When I googled it, I believe that the result was from pushing myself harder than I'm used to - which is fine. I know it's not a broken or fractured bone (it's already better) so I'll just need to keep upping my workouts.
And Joel agreed today to run with me at the Scot Trot 5k which is super exciting - I just LOVE Scottish men (and I'm obsessed with reading Outlander currently) so this will be fun. We actually get a medal after completing this one - it will be my first 5k medal and Joel's first ever so he's pretty pumped. :)
I am hoping to start Week 5 on my C25K app this weekend - I need to get a good run in but the weather has been so crappy along with my crazy work schedule this week so fingers crossed Saturday it can happen!
The Dogwood Classic is a 5k supporting our local Dogwood Arts festival that happens each Spring. People are encouraged to drive around Knoxville on different loops and really enjoy the beautiful flowers and trees as they are coming back to life.
When I signed up I told my gym buddy "I just want to finish under 40 minutes. I feel that's reasonable since I'll be walking and running. Then what I finish under can be my new finish goal." She agreed it was a good start as well.
The hard part... knowing that you wouldn't even consider that an option a year or more ago. I am working very hard not to compare where I am now to where I was when I could finish a 5k close or less than 30 minutes in. But, I know with practice and discipline, I can get there again, which is my summer goal.
Back to the race - Joel and I signed up and agreed to meet on race day. We both parked about a half mile from the course so we'd be able to stretch our legs and also because they kept letting us know that if you parked near the course and didn't finish by 9:45am you were stuck there until noon due to another event happening. That... wasn't going to happen for me so I parked at the nearby church and just walked over.
When I arrived I let Joel know I was going to run/walk. He said that was fine as he is a speed walker and would be going his own way anyway. I quickly learned that Joel is a faster speed walker than I am when I walk and it took a bit to keep up with him.
I started the race using both my Nike+ training app and my C25K app. With my C25K app I was on Week 4 Day 3 which meant I was running for 3-5-3-5 with walks in between. Overall running a little under 2 miles total in the 30 minutes they allot. I then continued to run once the app ended my time because I wanted to finish as strong as possible.
I'm happy to report the following (not bad for my 1st race... goal is to only get better):
Dogwood Classic 5k results:
Chip time 40:17 (we were closer to the back since we were walking first)
Race time: 39:22
Pace: 12:40 (not bad WITH walking!!)
Overall: 465/600
Female: 238/335 (want to do better and be more in the middle)
Age group: 33/47 (definitely want to do better and be more in the middle for that as well)
Here's our sexy model photo taken by Mary:
I had some pain in my hip later in the day. When I googled it, I believe that the result was from pushing myself harder than I'm used to - which is fine. I know it's not a broken or fractured bone (it's already better) so I'll just need to keep upping my workouts.
And Joel agreed today to run with me at the Scot Trot 5k which is super exciting - I just LOVE Scottish men (and I'm obsessed with reading Outlander currently) so this will be fun. We actually get a medal after completing this one - it will be my first 5k medal and Joel's first ever so he's pretty pumped. :)
I am hoping to start Week 5 on my C25K app this weekend - I need to get a good run in but the weather has been so crappy along with my crazy work schedule this week so fingers crossed Saturday it can happen!
