Band on the Run 5K

After 5 days of not running a step, it's 5K race morning.

I got up and felt strong. The girls came with me to the race, since we were getting new phones after the race. It. Was. So. Hot.

The girls' teacher and his wife were there. The nerve! Aren't teachers supposed to crawl into a hole and never be seen outside of school? Anyhoo, I was right on pace with the teacher for the entire race. He wound up finishing a few seconds ahead of me.

This race was not pleasant. I'm carrying around about 10 extra pounds that I can't seem to find the give-a-damn to lose. Plus, it was HOT!

And, I really didn't want to let the teacher beat me! But, I walked to drink my water and he didn't, and I never caught him again.

Ah, well, I finished it in 26:50, 1st in my age group (out of 1). Then, I got my very first post-race massage. Wow! Why, oh why, have I always passed these up before?

Oh, the teachers' wife won overall female finisher. She ran the thing in 20:13. Impressive.

Just an uneventful race, and a chance to catch up with some other runners from the area.

Sunday Long Run

After being a slug last weekend and not getting in a long run, I was determined to get in my long run this weekend. I was planning a 13 mile run.

Saturday, no run. I slept in, and decided to piddle around the house instead of running. It was Alex's birthday, so I wanted to clean the house so it would be presentable for her party. (good excuse, huh?)

Sunday morning, I got up just before 7am and started getting ready to go out and run. I couldn't find a good water bottle that would hold enough, so I went down to the gas station to buy one of the 24 oz bottles. Gas station was closed. So, I came home, grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and drove out and put it out about 6 miles. Back home, and now trying to talk myself out of this run. I just didn't feel up to it, and all of the fucking around with the water just made it worse.

I knew that Sunday is the day that I eat all day long, especially during football season. Add that to the leftover Dairy Queen cake that was still in the freezer calling my name, and I absolutely had to get out there. Finally got out the door at about 8am.

The weather was gorgeous. I took one power gel with me and planned to take it around 6 or 7 miles to give me the extra boost to finish. At about mile 2, I started feeling weak and dizzy. I actually toyed with the idea of going back home. So, I ate the gel then and kept going. Another mile in, I started feeling pretty good. This lasted until about mile 10 when I started getting tired. I should have brought 2 gels, since I didn't eat breakfast.

The run actually turned out to be 13.4 miles. My average pace was 11 min/mile, on the nose. Taking into account that I walked most of the 3rd mile and kept my heart rate pretty low throughout the entire run, I was happy with that.

When I got home, we had to start chopping veggies for the cabbage soup we were making, so I didn't have time for the long, leisurely bath that I really wanted. Took a quick shower and got to work on the soup. Maybe I'll get that bath in tonight...

20 Mile Week

Finally, I got in a 20 mile week. It wasn't long ago that falling short of 20 miles in a week was inconceivable. Lately, that's been the norm.

Yesterday's 9 mile run was fantastic. I took off around 9:30am.
The weather was cool and overcast.
It was one of those days, all of the stars were in perfect alignment... I felt great throughout the entire run. My Garmin's battery died at mile 5.5, but I checked the time, and checked it again when I got home. Throughout the run, I averaged a 10:18 mile. Not bad, considering how sporadic my running has been the past couple of weeks.
The dogs even left me alone yesterday! It was amazing!

So, I was thinking after my run... Tunnel Hill is just under 7 weeks away, now. I'm thinking of setting a time goal for myself for that race. I need something to focus on! Right now, I'm thinking of 1:25. That would be a 8:30 pace. It wouldn't be a PR, but it would be a PR for my 30's!
I'll give it a couple of weeks and set my "real" goal after the Centralia 5k.

Random Thoughts

Last night during my run, I was full of them.

Some were running related. When I started running at 6pm, I was miserable. THIS is why I'm a morning runner... get it out of the way before my body wakes up and realizes what's going on. Plus, the sun was out at 6pm and it was pretty warm.

I planned a 4.5 - 5 mile run, but then decided to just go for the 7 mile loop. There were so many people out and about- the weather was perfect for yard work or just plain sitting around outside. I will NOT take a walk break if someone can see me, so no walk breaks for me. Ugh.

I wore a new running skirt that I got over the weekend. I bought a large- I needed a medium. The shorts underneath kept riding up, and I wound up with chub rub- something my trusty running shorts never allows.

Then, I ran past the house that has had the "Free Kittens" sign out for a few weeks. There were 4 kittens playing in the front yard. They were SO cute. I wanted to scoop them up and take them home with me. Oh yeah, we already have 3 cats. I can so see myself becoming the crazy cat lady with a dozen cats in the house!
I love dogs, too- but cats don't have to be potty trained!

My thoughts during the last mile drifted to my running, or lack thereof, lately. Specifically, to Tunnel Hill. It's only a month and a half away. I know that the girl that was 5 seconds behind me on Labor Day will be there. I know that she will be hoping to beat me. I can NOT let that happen! So, I have GOT to get my lazy ass in gear with my training!

On tap for the weekend- a 9 or 10 mile run.

Why do I let myself get out of the habit of getting up to run in the mornings? I've been waking up before the 5am alarm, but I haven't been getting up! Tracy has been getting up instead- taking a shower and watching Sportscenter while I snooze for an extra hour...

This morning, I did drag myself out of bed, partially because I felt guilty that the alarm actually went off. I hate it when it's still dark even when I get home from the run... But, the weather couldn't have been better this morning. 50 degrees, nice and cool...

It was an uneventful run. I ran the 4.5 miles in 46 minutes flat. Get home, and Tracy is outside watering the flowers. He asked me if I went farther, or if I was just slower. EXCUSE ME!!??
OK, so I was a little slower than usual, but jeez- cut me some slack here!

I'm sure he doesn't mean anything by it, but these little comments drive me crazy!
Or, I'm extra touchy today because I'm sleepy...

Sabotage!!

Yes, I am sabotaging myself...
I have not ran a step since Labor Day. And, my eating is out of control! It's not like I have a good excuse, either. I'm just lazy.

And, my work schedule is about to get even more hectic in the next couple of months- so it's only going to get worse!

OK, I'm going to get serious starting with the rest of this week.

Kinmundy 5K- Labor Day

The last thing I wanted to do yesterday morning was go out and race a 5K. I have been such a slacker lately, for the past several weeks...

But, it was Barbie's race, and the 10th anniversary of the race, so I couldn't miss it! SO, so, so glad that I went!

OK, so the running part wasn't a lot of fun... but, I'm stronger for having done it.

Before the race, a manager from work and his wife (who is in my age group) were joking about how their goal would be to try and keep up with me. The last time I saw them at a race, I finished a good 5-7 minutes ahead of them!


They were right at my back, up until the water stop, where I walked a couple of steps and they passed me up!

UGH! So, I got past Stacey just after the 2 mile mark, but I only beat her by 5 seconds!! My official finish time was 27:03, and you can see her right behind me!


Ah, but it was worth it, as I won 1st place in our age group!


Thanks for sending me the pictures so quick, Barbie!!


While at the race yesterday, I picked up another form for the half marathon I was planning in 2 weeks... the form I already have says September 15. The new form says September 16- for the same race... Maybe I won't do that one... Undecided, now.