Race Day

Last Sunday was the 5k Run at Brookfield Zoo.  It was actually a perfect morning for a run.  Sunny and cool - maybe 45-50 degrees.

Wally and I couldn't believe all the cars we were seeing as we got closer to the Zoo.  The line was backed up to get into the parking lot.  I guess I should have known there would be a ton of people, but it really took me by surprise.  I told Wally, "I guess I'm not going to win now".  A joke of course!

Here's the crew!  It grew from just my sister and me to cousins, friends, and co-workers.



Once the run finally started it was a little overwhelming for me.  There were so many people that I felt like I just was speed walking in the beginning.  I was just trying to find a place and get to the pace I was comfortable with.  Once I got going though, it was pretty good.  I even got to see these faces twice cheering me on :)  Luke was yelling "Go Mommy!".





And then at about the 2.5 mile mark, the outside of my right knee started to bother me.  It wasn't anything I couldn't run through, but it was definitely uncomfortable and I knew I was so close to the end.  So I finished and was so happy but once I stopped, my knee just tightened up and I literally could not bend it.  I mean, seriously.  I have been training for about 2 months and loving it and feeling great and then bam!  I was quite upset about it (still am)!



I found my little crew though and I limped along as we headed off to see some animals.









I am so happy that I finished my first 5k.  I set a goal and accomplished it!  It felt good!

I finished at 33 minutes even.  Deep down I was hoping for a faster time, but really, that is pretty good for my first race, the number of people and my bum knee at the end.

The outside of my knee is still bothering me.  It finally felt good on Wednesday and then Friday morning it started hurting again.  I haven't run since last Sunday and was hoping to get out there this weekend but this pain is still there.  I think it is my IT band but who knows.  I am going to work on strengthening my hips and see if that makes a difference.  Hopefully there will be another race in my near future!

Dare I Say It...

I think I might love running!  Or at the very least, I am really enjoying it. 

Who knew? 

For the last 20 years of my life, I thought I hated running.  I was almost sure that I just wasn't good at it and never would be.  The Presidential Physical Fitness 8 minute mile in grade school always about killed me.  I could do everything else, but that was always hard for me.  I could run the bases in softball over and over and fast, but distance running?  Forget it!  I always had the endurance to dance on stage for long periods of time or to make it through a cheerleading competition set, but I could never muster up the mental strength needed to run - even just a mile!

Until now! 

At the beginning of this year, I of course knew I would be turning 30 and told myself that I would run a 5k in my 30th year.  I actually started the Couch to 5k program back in March and was doing great, but it lasted about 2 weeks until Wally started his baseball season and I used that as my excuse to not have the time to run and continue the program.  So in July I decided to try again.  I found a 5k to sign up for and asked my sisters if they were interested too!  And so it began....

I had a 2 week hiccup in there where I didn't run, but once I got back into it, I have found that running makes me happy.  I am a little over a week away from completing the program and really feel like I can do this 5k on the 23rd.  I am even beginning to wonder what to do next.  Another 5k, train for a 10k, or just keep running because I enjoy it?

Why do I enjoy it? 

1.  Well, it's free and easy.  Not easy in the physical/mental sense, but I can just step out the door and go.   I don't need to jump in the car.  I can just tie up my laces and head out!  I am actually proud of the fact that I have been able to do this program with Wally starting the new school year and golf season underway.  Often times I am running in the dark, which was always my excuse for not running before.  I am cautious and thankfully have a neighborhood full of garage people.  You would not believe how many people in our subdivision have tv's in their garages and are out there nightly just hanging out.  It makes me feel better knowing that if something, God forbid, were to happen there is always someone outside that would hear me scream or see me.

2.  I feel strong (both mentally & physically) and have a great sense of accomplishment when I am done.  Both of those things are great motivators to make me go out and do it again!  No wonder people say that running can be addicting.  I didn't start running to lose weight, but just to feel better about myself and achieve a goal I have been thinking about for a long time.  The physical changes are really a bonus to me.  What excites me is how strong my legs feel from one run to the next.  I also am no longer dreading the next run and doubting that I will be able to run for 15 minutes or whatever that day's run is.  My mindset has totally changed and I look forward to the next challenge.  I am so proud to say that I have done every day of this program completely.  I have not once had to stop to walk when I am supposed to be running.  Everyday is a challenge that I am actually excited to take on and I am confident that I can complete. 

3.  It has greatly affected my mood.  In a positive way!  There is no doubt that life can be stressful at times and I guess I have just dealt with it, but now, on those nights that I head out after the kids are asleep and just run, I feel so good!  My head is clear and I feel strong again.  I am so chatty and happy after I get done with a run that Wally probably thinks I am crazy!  My knees started bothering me about a week ago and I seriously feel like I went into a mini depression.  What if I couldn't run?  I was actually really upset about it.  Turns out, it was most likely my shoes.  Not knowing if I would really enjoy running and keep it up, I was just using my basic workout shoes from Kohl's that I bought like 3 years ago and never really used.  But now I have gone through a full foot analysis and am wearing the appropriate shoes for my feet and I am happy again!

4.  I love technology and numbers.  I am not sure I could have ever really been a runner before I had my iPhone.  That probably sounds pathetic, but I am obsessed (not in a bad way, in a good motivating way) with tracking my distance and pace and being able to just see a map of my run is exciting to me.  Geeky?  Yes, but whatever, it helps me!  I was a clock watcher at the beginning, but I have finally given that up and now just wait for the "ding" from the Couch to 5k program to know I can start walking or that I am finished.  And really, the music is huge for me!  I have certain songs that really make me feel strong and I focus on the song while I am running, but then at other times, I have no idea what song just played because I was just so completely out of my head and just running - not thinking about anything or focusing on anything - just running!  So awesome!

I have 5 more days of the training program to complete (I run every other day), which is perfect timing for the 5k on the 23rd.  And then after that?  Who knows?  I will have to set a new goal and figure out how to keep running through the winter months. 

So dare I say it???  I think I just might be a runner after all!