Cool weather is a runner's best friend...

Mine at least.

I still consider myself an 11:30 runner.

This is from Saturday's run. The plan was a 6 miles. I think they were hoping for more none half training runners to come out for the launch of the new Brooks Pure Project shoes. (I want some so bad!) I think the cool weather kept people at home. We only had 5 show up for our group run, and I was the only slow one :(

I know I started out too fast. We started from a different point. I love change but it was a downhill. My first two miles came in under 10. I was sure there was no way for me to keep that up for a third much less four more miles. I kept telling myself to slow down but just couldn't get my body to listen. I even passed on my normal potty break!

For most of the run, I could see our token dude (only one male in the class) ahead of me in his bright green shirt. Every time he caught my eye I thought "I shouldn't be able to see him anymore". At the end, he said he saw me still back there about mile four and thought the same thing!

The funny part is that after Wed. nights intervals which I was shooting for 2:45/3:20 and doing 2:15/2:45, I got to thinking that there was no way I would ever be able to hold that pace for a 5k. Now I am thinking a sub 30 minute 5k may be in my future. I'll have to wait until November to find out tho. I've already registered for a race then. I was planning  on doing one this month but I got a different better offer for my money:

Run for the Hills is running a marathon and raising money for St. Jude's at the same time. It's a great cause, and there are prizes, so my money was put to a much better cause. I can wait for my PR.

Currently I am in week 7 of Half training. It's still far enough away that I'm not getting nervous yet (I'll over-achieve in this later). And I'm still impressing myself with what I accomplish weekly so I am still real motivated. As for the weather, I went on a 3 mile run Monday and did it in 10:05. I'm gonna enjoy fall.

When a good run goes bad.... 5K recap

Ok, I'm being a bit dramatic. But I had so much hope for this race and did so well, that I can't help but be disappointed.

Why you ask??? Because I had goals and was running better than expected AND the distance came up short.

This is the route (taken from another race so I covered the name, not so beautifully, so I don't seem like I am complaining about them). The arrow points to the area where the mishap occurred. This is where the Coach (son) and I turned around. I actually commented during the turn that I could see this being an accident waiting to happen, where runners turn at the wrong time.

According to my phone app, I only ran 2.63 miles. I had not set the goal to PR, didn't want to worry about my time. I wanted to kick. But as the phone app announced our pace and I was feeling good, we decided it would happen anyway. Coach did a wonderful job as always of making sure I was running right. He is so wise beyond his years.

During the last straight stretch he had me pick up the pace a little at each traffic light. Once the finish line was in sight, he pointed out where the kick would happen. #4, who had not run the race with us but stationed at different points to support me, was running along with us at this point. It's so awesome to have support!

I was worried about the kick because the road was wet and was not sure if my shoes would have enough traction. (I claim to have a fear of heights, but have learned over the years that it is really a fear of falling. From any height!) Shoes did fine, I kicked and ran my heart out to finish. Only to look down and see the wrong distance.

My average pace for the run was 10:55. So this would put my time for a full 5K at 32:15 assuming I continued running well, which I am sure I would have done.

These are the shoes Coach and I were fitted for earlier in the day. Asics GT-2160. Interestingly enough, after trying on several recommended pairs, we chose the same shoe. His are prettier than mine :(

My celebratory meal. It's not Blue Moon, have never had that beer. It was just a Shiner Bock because I can't get really good beer in this town.

Coach aka my son

Coach getting irritated at my flash, check out the waitress in the back ground

Coach and waitress (aka Iroc, my daughter)

Don't they look thrilled??

Coach and #4 assure me that I should be proud anyway. I will be. After the next race :D

Kick... and starting a tradition maybe

I have my first 5k since finishing my training plan tomorrow night. I am very excited about it. It's a charity run so kinda low key. But I feel like a real athlete preparing for a race.

Why am I feeling this way?

In all of the 5ks I have done I have only ever "ran" 1 whole race before. And if you count the 20 or so feet I walk at the water station (not graceful enough to run and drink at the same time), then technically I have never finished one. Good thing I don't count it :D

I ran that race in 35:04. My PR. It in 2006.

This race will be the start of my new running "career". I know I will run the whole thing no problem. I may even beat the previous time. That however is not my goal. My goal is to actually do a kick, experience the kick, be the kicker. I really have no idea what the right lingo is, but you get my drift.

In every event I have ever done, it was always just a struggle to finish. There was no more no give, no matter how much my supporters (family) encouraged me. But tomorrow, I will do it. That is my goal.

I also plan to introduce myself to some local runners I have met thru twitter. I really want to start running with a local group. We got the word from the Doc today that #4 will not be able to any running. Luckily he can cycle and that is what we will do together. But I feel the need to be with my own kind too. My own kind being fellow runners. People who have the desire and drive to run distances past the 5k. #4 will always support me and do whatever I ask of him for me to pursue this dream. But running with other runners just sounds like good fun to me.

I have actually become quite obsessed with running. I should not be surprised as that is how it seems to go with my hobbies. Last year at this time I was into World of Warcraft (don't judge me) and would spend hours just sitting front of the computer. I gave that up earlier this year to try my hand at making jewelry. I am still interested in this hobby, but it is just too dang expensive right now.

So as part of my diet plan, I started running. I got #4 and a friend interested in doing an adventure race so I knew I had to get running. It was always the hardest part for me and since I was the instigator, I didn't want to let anyone down. Well, no one else trained and that dream went down the drain. But I found the more I ran and the more in shape I got (more weight I lost) the more into running I got. I started reading and searching for other races, started following blogs and buying books. Truly a new obsession has begun.

So what of this tradition? As I sit here typing, pre-race, I am enjoying a restful night. I have on my pjs, did my toe nails, cuddling with my fav furbabies and watching Prefontaine. I like this tradition idea :D