Happy Running Birthday to Me

Ease to 5k app diary from a year ago today

One year ago today, I started the Ease to 5k program. I'd tried to start the program using my treadmill back in September 2011 and I made it through three and a half weeks successfully before falling off the running wagon. Despite the Young and the Restless on the television and air conditioning blowing in my face, I really didn't like it.

Things changed for me when I laced up and ran outside for the first time - October 31, 2011. It wasn't so bad. Just me and my iPod and my running app touring my quiet neighborhood. I joined a challenge on My Fitness Pal - Run a 5k by New Year's Day. There were 15 to 20 of us committed to the program and we cheered each other on week to week. By New Year's Day, only two of us were left and we continue to cheer each other on daily in our workouts a year later, even though we've never met each other. 

Instead of running today, I decided to reflect on my journey.

• I cannot believe how much progress I've made both time-wise and distance-wise since a year ago. I ran 14.5 miles on Sunday - something that I never thought I could do a year ago. 
• My body has totally transformed. I'm down more than 20 lbs and I'm leaner all over. Do I wish I wasn't as lean as I am in the chest area - maybe, but then again I don't have to spend money on expensive sports bras. 
• I can tell a difference in my mind. I'm not restless. I'm more focused at work. I sleep more soundly. I'm more dedicated to taking care of my home. I'm not nearly as scattered - well, most of the time. 
• I'm more confident. Most people would tell you that I didn't have this problem before I started running. The truth is, I was really good at faking it. I don't have to fake it any longer. 

This time last year, I had just one goal - run a 5k in 2012. Instead I've run:

• Twelve 5k races - placing in the top three in my age group in six of those events
• One 10k race - placing 9th in my age group and finishing in 56 minutes in 85 degree heat and 100% humidity
• One mud run - a fun experience and a nice change from a typical race

For my next year of running I've started thinking about my goals, after all I've got to set up some sort of plan for myself. Here are just a few of my running goals for November 1, 2012 - Oct 31, 2013:

• Run a 25:15 5k - I'd really like a sub-25, but baby steps, right?
• Run a sub-2 hr half - who knows if this is even possible, but a girl can dream.
• Hot Chocolate 15k - Atlanta, GA - I will do just about anything for chocolate
• Museum of Aviation Half Marathon - Warner Robins, GA - this will be my first half ever and right in my backyard. 
• Disney's Princess Half Marathon - Orlando, FL - I'm planning a sick snow white costume.

As you can see, I've not gotten too far on my list - I think that's everything through February. I'm not much of a planner, so for me that's like setting up a calendar for three years in advance. Now I think I will go celebrate with a cupcake. 

Labor Day 10K Race Review

This is what 9th Place looks like!
Andrea and I each place 9th in our age groups.

Labor Day 10K 
September 3, 2012 • Macon, GA
6.26 miles/ 55:58 chip time
9 out of 45 in age group;  213 of 560 overall

I've taken a break from my blog for the last week. Not really intentionally, but work does get in the way sometimes. My office responsibilities did not get in the way of completing my first chip-timed, official 10K on Labor Day in Macon.

Race day morning I got up early, ate some overnight oats with chia, had a cup of coffee and got dressed. My right knee felt funny. I call it fat knee, because that's the best way I can describe the feeling. On top of feeling "fat" it burned when I knelt on it, so I was a bit cautious of it for certain, but I wasn't going to let it stop me from racing. I debated wearing my knee brace the whole half-hour drive to the race, but I chose not to wear it and it all worked out okay.

There were 2500 people registered between both the 10K and 5K races through downtown Macon, Ga. I was pretty anxious the night before and that morning as well. Despite laying everything out for the race 12 hours in advance, I kept feeling like I forgot something. Finally I just told myself - if you have your shoes, bib and some shorts on your butt, you can run. So just get in the damn car.

I was so thankful to have my neighbors with me and it helped to have four teenagers chatting about stupid stuff while we waited for the race to start. Andrea's whole family runs and her husband and youngest son won second in the parent/child team division. Not to mention her youngest son got second in his age group and 14 year old daughter got third in hers. Pretty awesome if you ask me.

Is that a banana in your fuel belt or
are you just happy to see me?

The Runner's World plan I was using (Smart Coach) had me training for a 53:45 finish time. If it had been overcast or at least 10 degrees cooler than what it was, I think that time would have been totally do-able. But that plan doesn't take into account no shade, blazing sun and 80 degrees with 100% humidity. Oh, yeah - and I think I've mentioned before how much I hate the heat.

I was pretty psyched about the race, so I just put the heat out of my head. Put the tunes in my ears and tried to stay focused. I slowed down enough at every water station, not to drink, but to pour water down my back or on my head. I fell in with four other women about my age and speed who were marathon runners (well, they were wearing marathon race shirts, so I am making assumptions) and seemed to keep a pretty solid 9 minute pace. I fell a little behind during my water stops, but ended up finishing 10 seconds behind that group.

My watch said 56:00. My chip time said 55:58. My only goal was to finish under 60 minutes, so I'm pleased with the time I put up. I'm actually anxious to run another 10K without the extreme heat and humidity. I know I have a 53:45 in me. I just know it.


Latest Workouts:
Thursday: 3.5 miles/38 min treadmill
Friday: 4.02 miles/37 min

I've been on the road for work, so my running days got all mixed up this week. Running on a hotel treadmill is the equivalent to the second level of hell in my book and without a travel partner to know when and where I am going, I just don't think it is smart to run alone in places you don't know well. I've been babying my knee all week with ice, compression and Advil, so an extra day of rest on Wednesday was probably good for it anyway.

Catching Up

Latest Workouts

Yep - that stupid belt continues to be
a giant pain in my butt.
This is at 11.7 on Sunday morning.

Sunday: 11.8 mi/ 2:02
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4 mi/ 38:00 - on dreadmill
Wednesday: 4 mi/ 37:01

I started this week behind. I did my long run on Sunday, which threw the rest of my typical running schedule off. I had all intentions to run on Monday, but I got up feeling like garbage so I decided to make it a rest day instead. Thanks to Tropical Storm Isaac, I got pushed inside on Tuesday morning. Even with an old episode of Teen Mom on the television, it was painfully boring. This morning my run was way more productive outside. Tomorrow, speedwork.

I did officially register for the Labor Day 10K on Monday. No turning back now. I'm sure I will whine and bitch about the heat, but I've got my fingers crossed for cloudy weather that morning. I want to get a chip timed 10K to use for corral placement at Disney and any other crazy race I decide to run this fall/winter. I've been running pretty well despite the humidity - much better than I was in June - so fingers crossed I'll perform well on race day.

I haven't really set a goal yet. I thought about it today on my run. Under an hour seems to be a reasonable goal, especially since "the plan" has said I should run it in 53 minutes, but I'm not going to let that piece of paper decide what my goal will be. I've never run a 10K before, but I'm hoping that running with others will help energize me, not to mention I'll be running a course that I used to drive daily when we lived in Macon, Ga. I think it will be fun to look at it from a different perspective.

Tune in tomorrow for Dessert of the Week.