5k race report

My running group was meeting around 8am, the race didn't start till 930am, i got there around 8.15. I was nervous. We did a warm up (oh and I ran to the race - bout 10 minutes) warm was good, we were chatting a bunch which helped my nerves. Then we stretched, then we did some striders and then we walked over to the start. The coach had us up in the front....i never go to the front, too intimidating, but I was following the group. We saw other ladies we know who are fast.

Coach and one other woman are faster than the other 3 of us, so we knew they would be ahead. However, I was not sure how the other 2 and I would do but I did NOT want to hold them back. We got a bit lost right at start (only a 500 person race) then we found each other, but about a half mile in, 1 of us surged ahead, i could see she just was able to and I was happy for her and glad she wanted to do well and not just push us on. The one other lady was ahead of me but I could see her and just stayed on her. The first half mile felt ok, it was fast but I felt ok, i also felt ok b/c i knew the course and the hills. The first mile I did 8.02ish, I was surprised and I just tried to stay at the pace. I also just tried to keep my form and keep my mental thoughts positive. I tried to not think about how the lady was ahead of me, but instead how I was right there with her. I tried to think I am strong and I did feel strong. Mile 2 was another 8minutes and I tried to just focus on the fact that we had only 1 mile left and instead of feeling tired and beaten, I tried to stay strong. A little into the third mile I heard a friend behind me say drop your shoulders and open up you chest, it was a friend who is super fast and wins the races, but she was pushing her 2 kids in a stroller. it was great to have her support. With 800 left I just tried to stay strong, hubby and the kids where there and the girls really cheered for me and I was so happy to see them. It wasn't that feeling of ugh I am dying, it was more, I am strong and doing this. Then it was on the track to finish up and I just did the best I could. I wasn't sure where my time was at b/c the last mile had no marker. I came upon the finish and saw the clock at what I thought said 26 minutes and I was like no way i can't believe i did not beat my time from last year, but then i looked again and it was 25 minutes and i was like yeaaaaaaa - just run. I crossed at 25.38. I was last out of my group, but I was happy with my time, I was happy with how I felt both physically and mentally and it made me realize I can do better.

Did a warm down with the coach and then enjoyed the kids dash, where both my girls sprinted their hearts out.

Today I opted to get a boot camp class in and will do the running group on thursday am. My goal is to get back to strength and now that this 5k is out of the way i need to start implementing the goal.

PR

Why is it a PR ? not a PB ? personal best ? what is PR ??

today 5k - 25.39, same race last year was 26.50.....my goal was to run in the 25's. and i did it.

more of a race report later. but one thing is I finally feel like my mental game was better than the norm. which makes a huge difference. it made me feel that I can even go faster as I train more and as I get better at the mental toughness.

gym memberships

Currently I belong to a local gym that I love. It has a pool, classes, a top notch sitting room. I have been there about 3 years. The number one reason I have belonged to this particular club was due to the sitting room. It is excellent and the only place I was willing to put my girls.

Now my girls are in school at the same time. I am able to get a workout done outside (run or bike) but that will change when the weather changes - BUT i have a treadmill and bike trainer in basement that I could use. BUT i love the classes ....and the pool....

The local dance studio that my girls go to is also a fitness center. It is where I am taking my running class. I could join as a fitness member and they have boot camp and various classes, as well as spin and they have sitting as well (the girls go now while i run). So the only thing missing is a pool to swim. BUT we have a family member ship to the Y and i could use the pool there. I do believe I would be saving approx over 500 bucks ??? Although right now money is not really the concern...but it helps....

what do you do ? gym ?? boot camp ? in house ? if you had made a switch why ???

bleh

headache

bad sad mood

no exercise today cept for walking girls to school - beautiful out

i did manage to take the time and finally organize my younger one's clothes. it was a nightmare of a mess so it feels great that i got it done. I also have 3 bags of clothes to donate - wahoo.

there is something about the change of season that creates a very melancholy mood for me. The smell of the air, the feel of the air, it brings many different emotions.

I also have a hard time with FALL specifically b/c it was when my younger one was born and she had colic and I had PPD and I know I already wrote this but I just feels good to get it out.

gonna go eat some yummy sweet potato chips i just made along with the roasted veggie soup i made the other day. glad i have made a change for the better in my nutrition.

intervals on my own, roasted veggie soup

So it sounds like I will be running the race naked, i am pretty sure that will work best.

I wound up getting a run in on sunday am, i ran a mile to a local track, then i did 4 x 400's, and the mile back home.

I was so glad to get something in. I am also getting obsessed with the fact that some folks in my running class get to run more often then I do. I realize how much more they are getting and it is making me realize that if I really want to go faster I need more days of running. consistently.

I saw the coach this am and she recommended i come thursday am b/c they are running the course. I only signed up for one day so i will skip tomorrow and go thursday BUT i asked someone to email me what the workout is. I think the plan is to run tomorrow (intervals at the gym on treadmill), wed - spin OR strength and thursday run with group, friday off or light something, saturday a run with some striders and such. sunday the race. i am putting too much pressure on it i know, b/c i am starting to get nervous NOW ??? I am nervous b/c i want to do well, i want to better than I ever have, I don't want to disappoint myself.

I went and made Pioneer Woman's Roasted Veggie Minestrone soup....i took many liberties but HOLY COW - it was so yummy !!! I am so proud that I went out of my box and cooked something I wasn't sure how i would like. I found another great dish that is healthy...wahooooo.

here are the stats from my run

First mile @ 10.42

1st 400 @ 1.43

2nd 400 @ 1.47

3rd 400 @ 1.46

4th 400 @ 1.44

Third mile @ 11.20

Now that I look at the times I should have been faster on the warm up and warm down since the intervals were not that much.

the rain is really NOT making me happy.

should i race naked ?

so next week is a 5k that i want to do and i want to run fast. i have some goals. here is my question. do i run with my garmin or not ?

pros

can see how i am doing and if slow - pick it up, can help me pace myself ??

cons

can see when i am going fast and mentally that makes me hold back ????

i am thinking of NOT using it b/c i just wind up looking at it too much and it will distract me.

somebody does not want to do boot camp

So I was all excited that the timing of a hard drive class at my gym by iron lady worked out with my schedule. However, I shut my alarm off and if you can believe this...my little lady who normally wakes btw 6 and 7 slept till 9am.....the class was at 9.30 and my other one was still sleeping. So no class for mama and another week of no strength training......

I guess carrying loads of laundry up and down the stairs will have to be my boot camp today.

Just had a yummy salad, as soon as I finish my last bite I think of chocolate ??? damn you sugar.