Chilly Challenge 5K

I have been dying for a nice day to run outside, and I finally got my wish today. Nice, as in not snowing and windy. As in 25 degrees, but sunny and no snow on the roads! I will take it. All I really wanted was to run a nice solid race. I set my Garmin Virtual Partner to a 10:20 pace. Because I didn't have time to get my long run in this week, my plan was to run a little 1 mile warm-up, run the 5K and then run another 4 miles afterwards. Yeah right :) Anyway my husband was nice enough to stay with me for the warm-up and we ran a nice solid mile. I felt pretty good and was hoping I didn't waste too much energy. I actually think it was helpful to run a little warm-up. My first mile was awesome. I couldn't believe it when I looked at my watch after the first quarter mile to see I was running an 8:45 pace. I have never done that before. Anyway I just kept at it and ended up hitting the 1 mile mark at 8:50. The next mile went by pretty easily, and although I couldn't maintain that speedy (for me) pace, I did run the second mile around 9:55, which is still faster than I have ever run before. The third mile was tough- I was getting tired and it was slightly uphill here. As I was hitting 2.5, I started to realize that I could actually achieve one of my goals for 2011, which was to run a 5K in under 30 minutes. I was running just over a 10 minute mile now, so I knew I had to pick it up if I had any chance. I picked a guy in front of me to pass and I turned it on full steam- finishing the last tenth of a mile at a 7:57 pace. I did pass him, and my Garmin time was 29:57. I did it! I didn't know if I would ever meet my goal, and here it is February, and I did it. I slaughtered my Virtual Partner too- my pace was 9:42. My legs were hurting after that, and although we tried to run another 4 miles, I could only muster another 1.68. We decided that was enough, and that my long run would need to be a little short this week. Normally a long run is far from running all out, and I really had nothing left at that point. It was a nice race and very well organized, with yummy chili at the end. Yay for my PR and yay for my husband who got a PR and placed 3rd in his age group today!

Why I Run

I decided that today I would make a list of reasons why I run, because I think sometimes I need a little reminder. I got up at 4:30am today so that I could get in an "easy 3 miles". But, as luck would have it, it was anything but easy. I was tired, my left shin was bothering me, and the blisters I ended up with after a wet 5K on Saturday and a long 7 miler on Sunday decided to re-appear. Ironically, my stress fracture seems to be much better, and isn't really causing any problems for me right now. But I felt very tired, and it was just a slow, uninspiring run. I cut it short to two miles and did some weights instead. Not too big of a deal, since I had a two mile run scheduled this week anyway, but I just felt like I couldn't go any farther, which kind of sucks when the long range goal is 13.1. I know that I am still easing my way back after my injury, but I can't help but feel disappointed and a little bit concerned that I have taken on something I can't do. Anyway, back to the reasons why I run:

I run for my health. Running helped me lose 17 lbs & I have never felt better. I want to be as fit as possible.

I run for the challenge. Hey, running is hard, and who doesn't love a good challenge?

I run to reach goals. I love the feeling of running faster & further. I'm very competitive, if only with myself.

I run for the fun of it. Let's face it, the Turkey Trot is hilarious, and even more so now that I don't hate it.

I wouldn't say that I LOVE to run, but I don't HATE it anymore either. I hate when it doesn't go well, like today, but I had some great runs last week that reminded me why I do this. I know I will have some better runs coming up and some bad ones along the way too. That's what it's all about, right?

A Fantastic Run

I am definitely back! I have run the last 3 out of 4 days and I feel really good. No pain, other than from the bruise on top of my foot. I have been feeling great during my runs, with lots of energy. I am still keeping my mileage down, just to make sure I don't come back too fast. Yesterday I did 2 miles, at a 10:30 pace, which is my fastest training run ever! Not only that, it is only 2 seconds slower than my best race! So with a a 5K on tap for Saturday, I have to admit I am feeling very excited. I feel like I should be able to PR with no problem, provided that it isn't a snowstorm again and the roads are clear. It is so nice to run pain-free- hopefully it lasts!

On My Way Back

I ended up resting for nearly two weeks due to pain from my metatarsal stress fracture. I did ride my bike, do the elliptical and also lift weights, but it wasn't quite the same. I felt ready to run on Wednesday, until one of my dogs decided to bite my foot. Yes, that foot, in the same damn spot. Go figure. Fortunately, the spot where she broke the skin is on the side of my foot, and the top is just bruised, so it wasn't as bad as I initially thought. By Saturday, I couldn't wait any longer and I decided to do a test run of a mile. Well, it went pretty well so I decided to do two. I went back and forth today about what to do and I ended up running 3 miles. The first 1.5 didn't go great, I felt very blah and sluggish. I was wearing my old Brooks and I decided to take a half hour bike "break". I gave myself a pep talk while on the bike. When I finished that, I went in a changed into my Newtons. The next 1.5 miles went off beautifully. A little bit of "discomfort" shall we say, but not really pain. I am aware of that foot, whereas the left one I am not. But I think as long as I ice, elevate and don't overdo it, I should be ok. I intend to take this week fairly easy- I am going to do a couple of easy runs, 2 or 3 miles each and then a 5K on Saturday (with no crazy expectations, just good old running fun). After that, I will re-evaluate and see if I can start adding back in some speed work and long runs.