Training In Progress

Just a quick update on my 10K Training: It's going!

(taking off my sarcastic hat) Seriously - it's going well :)

I have been running 5-6 times per week and I've done a few runs that were at least 6.2 miles in length, so I know that I'll be able to at least get through the 10K without falling off the face of the earth :)

I also drove out to see the course and I realize that I'm going to need some hill training, so I have to work that in somehow.

I am starting to get more excited than nervouse about the race. I will continue to train really hard this week (I'm actually headed out in a few minutes for a distance treadmill run) and then slow it down just a bit next week to give my body more opportunities to rest and incorporate the muscle and endurance I've been building. I'll end next week with a massage the day before the race and then next Saturday, 8am, I'm off and running!

My 5th 5k

I completed my 5th 5k this morning with another personal best (every race has been a personal best for me so far:). I ran the Labor Day 5K Pump and Run in Tipton, PA (home of DelGrosso's Park).

This was the most diverse route including running through a wet, dewy field, into the woods and on a path, up a a rocky hill, through a development that had hills, and back. It was 45 degrees when I got to the race, so I dressed warmly (a lesson I learned after running my first race and being too cold).

I didn't want to do anything but finish it, but when I came across the finish line in 26:27, I was #1surprised, and #2 thrilled. I ended up finishing 1st in my age category and got a nice medal for it!

This running thing is treating me really well and I'm really diggin it.

Next on the agenda is to continue to train for the 10K in October and possibly run the Great Race (5K) in Pittsburgh on September 26 - that's what I want to do for my birthday (crazy, huh?)

1 Month to Go

Today is 90210 - that either means that I'm a huge Jason Priestly and Shannon Dougherty fan or my 10K is just 1 month away.....
Found the race route on Mapmyrun - love that website.

Sometimes a struggle is a good thing

Struggling makes us grow and learn; hell, if everything was as easy as pie, it'd be boring and we'd lose interest in things. I committed to a 10K on October 2 and so begins my training. I found an 8-week training plan, but until I decided for sure that I was going to run it, I'm down to 7 weeks (it's kinda hard to believe that October is only 7 weeks away, huh?). So I jumped into 'Week 2' training and so far I've run 3 days in a row this week (I've been on the every-other-day-plan for quite a while).

Today's run was a 3.5 miler - something I should be able to do quite easily, it's only adding .4 miles onto my typical run. But for some reason I struggled during the run. I just kept telling myself that this struggling-thing is probably good for me, that it means that I'm gaining strength and endurance and that this time next week, I'll be running 4 miles.

I've been learning that running, for me, is much more mental than physical. I can run further and better when I reason my way through things, like I did today.

Tomorrow is a rest day, but for the most part, I'll be running at least 5 days a week from now until Oct. 2.

Great Race!

Holy Moly - I set a personal best today, not just for races, but in all of my running training, practice runs, and races - my time today in the Portage Summerfest 5k was 26:38 - no, there's no typo there. My goal was to run it in  btw 28:00-28:20 and I thought in the back of my mind, "Wouldn't it be cool if I got even 1 second under 28:00!" But seriously, I thought my watch was wrong when I crossed the finish line. I ended up placing first in the DD category (Female, ages 30-34).

Today was also a big deal because one of my best friends, Kerri completed her 1st 5K race in her home town. She had a personal best today finishing in 31:41 and scoring herself a 3rd place finish in the EE category (Female, ages 35-39). A big congrats to her!

Kerri and I before the race started.

We're off (We are in there somewhere, I promise).

It was so great to see my guys along the course and here I was a little happy knowing that there was less than 1 mile to go.

Last spring of the race - look at my focus. Holy man.

My gang! Check out my trophy. Jackson was pretty proud of that. He said to me (I hope I remember this quote forever), "Mom, you need to sit down, look at that trophy, and realize what you just did!"

Lucky #73

The next question is, how in the world do I ever prepare to beat my new PR (personal record)?

Day of Rest

Tomorrow is a DOR (day of rest) for me since I'll be running a race Saturday morn. I kinda have some goals for Saturday's race, but I never ran the course, so we'll see about the time goal:
#1 - Finish somewhere in the 28:00-28:20 range - that would be a PR (personal record) for me. I figure I'm not really to the point where I can compete against others in races yet, so I compete against myself and if I aim to set PRs @ each race, I will eventually get to the point where I can compete against others (maybe).
#2 (this one is a 'for-sure') - celebrate with my buddy, Kerri, on the completion of her first 5K race - hopefully completing her first race will be as inspirational to her as it was to me. I am so excited for her.
#3 - have a blast and try not to get so nervous - my first 3 races just about sent my level of nervousness through the roof. I am hoping to keep myself calm and focused and channel all that energy into my legs.

Next post will be photos of the race and details! In the meantime, check out the new WIDGET I created on the right hand side that counts down to the race :)

New Milestone(s)

Not every run is a good run, but there are those runs that are really GREAT runs - like the one I had on Thursday. Although I ran on the treadmill and didn't encounter any of the outside challenges (you know, hills, uneven pavement, fresh air), I had a personal best on the treadmill: 3.1 miles in 27:22. That's my best time ever on a 3.1 adventure. 

I am running a 5K in 1 week and my goal is to do it with a time of somewhere between 28:00 and 28:20 - that would be a personal record (PR) for me. I feel like I need to constantly challenge myself so I don't get stuck in my same old routine.

I'm kinda excited about next week's run because this race will be my good friend's first 5K! I am excited for her and can't wait to celebrate our finishes together.

Another milestone for me - and this one's pretty silly, but still a big deal to me: last evening we grabbed sandwiches and took the kids to a park for supper. I've always admired the way Jackson can just move himself along the monkey bars - like it's nothing. I've never been able to do, but last evening I decided to give it a try because I've been trying to build my upper body strength and this was a good way to test it. I DID IT! It was a blast. I don't think I've ever been able to get myself across those bars. I know it's a silly thing, but losing weight, getting fit, feeling good are all part of being a good Mom and now I can join in with my boys on everything they want me to do.

Fun times!

I just love these guys so much!