Sub 30 5K

My neighborhood had their yearly 5K this morning. I was 14 seconds over a sub 30 5K the last time I ran a 5K race. For those that don't know, it means you run 3.1 miles (5K) in less than 30 minutes. That was my goal this morning as I ran over to the clubhouse where the race starts. I did an easy slow jog on the way there to get warmed up. I focused and envisioned myself going steady and just a bit faster than I did last time. I wanted to finally do that 5K in under 30 minutes. I was surrounded by high school kids that were trying to run this 5K in under 20 minutes. Ah, youth, what beauty! They took off at a full sprint and I could barely see them when I rounded the corner. That was okay, I took off at my goal pace. I was doing great when some man stopped right in front of me to tie his show. The word IDIOT almost left my lips but I was too worried about crashing into him and I jumped to my left thinking I wouldn't make it and would stumble over him. I did make it. The adrenalin rush was convenient. When I hit two miles, the timing clock said 18min 59sec. I was under 30 minutes if I kept going steady. I was going to do it if I could just keep it up for about 9 more minutes. 540 seconds of exertion. I told myself "You got this, don't stop, don't give up, you got this!!!"

29 minutes and 28 seconds after I took my first step, my feet crossed the finish line. I did it. Sub 30 5K, CHECK! Off my list. Next goal, Disney Princess Half Marathon - 8 days away!

 

9 days to go!

The day can not get here fast enough! I find myself thinking about the race all day long. I'm registered for a 5K tomorrow in which I will try to go under 30:00. I was so close the last time. That would be 2 major accomplishments hit in the same week. How cool would this be? What started less than a year ago has led me here. It's been hard work but it has been worth it. Worth every second, every mile, every huff and puff of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I earned these accomplishments and they are all mine. It's nice to have things that are about you and for you. I have learned that this past year. It makes me an even better mother, wife, daughter, friend and so many other roles we women take on. This alone time lets me give more of myself to others when they need me because I feel that I didn't ignore myself. I am balanced and at peace.

I am also ready to kick some marathon ASS! But that has to wait a few more days!

10 days to go!

I woke up today and thought, only 10 days left and I will be racing in my first half marathon. The word "excited" doesn't quite cover it all...

How about excited, anxious, nervous, happy, elated, stoked, hyper, pumped, and my favorite word, the one I trained for... I am READY!

4 weeks to go!

Our run today was for 11 miles and we completed it at a 12:23min/mile pace. My mentality has changed. I've gone from being happy with anything I could do to tracking mileage, distance and speed. I've changed. 10 miles no longer seems like a "long run". It's a good run and it's not intimidating anymore. It's funny how you can change your perception with some hard work. I look back at some of my earlier posts and I smile when I see how worried I was about this half marathon. Did I really believe I might not be able to do it and the answer is yes, I really did. Just a few months later, I know I can do it and I'm toying around with the idea of completing a full marathon... Yeah, you read correctly, a full marathon, 26.2 miles. But first I have a date at Disney in 4 weeks!   

Tropical 5K Results

The 5K was today. My husband and I got there very early so we had time to spare. Tried to go to the port a potty to pee - walked out and it took me 30 minutes to recover and not puke. Be forewarned, some port a potties are what nightmares are made of. 

We did a quick 1 mile warm-up before the race. I would have never done that previously but the more you run, you realize that starting a race cold is NOT GOOD! You usually find a groove somewhere between mile 3-4 where you feel you are running efficiently and it's all due to the fact that you are warmed up so starting cold = bad! I was very quiet right before the race and it was because I was very concentrated thinking about what I wanted to do, go under 35 minutes. I started the race with my husband, Mr. Speedy himself who can run a 5K in 20 minutes. No pressure. I told him to not speak to me or look at me. He agreed but he couldn't help himself. The race began and sure enough, one mile into it, he starts warning me that I'm going too fast. I was looking at my watch the whole time and was keeping it steady between 9:00min/mile and 10:00min/mile. He didn't want me to crash at mile 2. Thank you honey but pleeeeeeeease, SHUT UP! I love him but sometimes you need to just be alone with your thoughts and I was having one of those moments. I couldn't believe it, but I was running comfortably. I would fade him out and go into my own thoughts thinking that I was going to be way under 35 minutes. I shushed him, ignored him and kept pushing. 

I crossed the finish line huffing and puffing at  9:43min/miles with a total time of 30 minutes and 13 seconds. I almost went under 30 which runners would call a sub 30 race. I have no choice but to make that my new goal - a sub 30 5K.    

Tropical 5K

Everybody knows of the famous Miami ING marathon and half marathon. My husband and I registered for the Tropical 5K which is a 5K on the Saturday before the main races. It's tomorrow. I am truly hoping for anything under 35 minutes. Wish me luck!

In the 150's - FINALLY!

I want to announce that I have made it to the low 150's! I weighed myself and almost passed out when I saw 153. 153! I'm 4 lbs away from the 140's which means I have lost over 10 lbs. I'm feeling even better and the weight loss has helped me gain speed in my running. The Princess in Training group did 10 miles today at a 12:34min/mile. 6 weeks away from my first half marathon. I'm excited!