Party like a Rock Star

This week was full of first experiences that all turned out making me feel great in the end!

1. I learned I could do tempo runs on 5.5 instead of 5 on the treadmill. Use to I would do only minute intervals on 5.5 at the end of the 5 mph interval.
   
2. Ran in the pouring rain for 4 miles.
   
3. Ran without music.
   
4. Ran 7 miles in one day (4 in the a.m. and 3 in the p.m.).
   
5. Learned 3 new balance/ core exercises.
   
6. Learned 3 new yoga positions.
   
7. Ran on 6 mph for 30 seconds at the end of 5.5 intervals.
   
8. Ran more than 11 miles in a week. Actually ran 16 miles instead of my goal of 15.
   

 

I accomplished this with working 26.5 hours at my retail job and 4 hours subbing at a pre-school. Also, I went bowling yesterday and bowled 5 games. My average was 157.2 with my lowest being 142 and highest 180. I feel very strong and ready for my next week like this.

 

If my week of training can leave me feeling like this; I can't wait for the feeling after my next race!

Playing in the Rain

I have never ran in the rain before not even when it was sprinkling and I actually told my mom that I was not crazy enough to do so. Just recently I have been busy and the weather has been not just my cup of tea to run outside and it was driving me stir mad. Yesterday was going to be my day off, I thought, but was called into work as I was preparing to go run. I was going to run rain or shine. My luck it was a sunny day and near 60s degrees. I didn't get the chance to have my run.

I knew it was going to be raining this morning so I decided no matter what I was going to enjoy the outdoors. When I headed out it was sprinkling and I felt that would be easy to handle. Half way through my first 2 miles it started to pour. I had to put my earbuds in my raincoat pocket and run without music for the first time ever. It was easier than I figured, because I focused on the pitter patter of the rain drops and the rushing water gurgling down to the drains and that kept me pretty happy.

I splashed through a big puddle at the end of my first 2 miles and looped around. Heading back up the hill at the beginning of my course I had to start walking. The water soaking through the coat and shoes everything started to feel a good bit heavier plus my breathing became labored. The last two miles followed the rule of always running or sprinting up the hills, 4 steep long hills and a couple smaller grade ones.

At the end I was cold and soaked to the bone. The experience has left me feeling strong and dedicated. It will happen again, because mom I am that crazy after all.

Found my 1st 5k Results!!!

Out of the 620 women in the race (this does not include the almost 400 men) I placed 74^th.

In my age group I was 19^th out of 113.

This is great for my first race!

Events I Plan to Conquer this Year

Currently I have ran 3 5ks and I plan to run another one soon to shoot for my personal record (under 28 minutes), which might be done with my cousin.

Next stop is a 10k race.

In March or April I will be planning on running a half marathon with either a few of my cousins, aunts, and uncles or with a group of friends from college.

Then on May 22^nd I want to do the Warrior Dash a 5k with eleven obstacles from hell (including fire jumping, repealing down a steep ravine, swimming through a swamp avoiding submerged logs, and more).

To back off the extreme I plan to run the Peachtree Roadrace on the 4^th of July.

Than by Christmas time or shortly after a marathon!

Wish me luck!!

P.S. Any support will be appreciated, could be words of encouragement, training tips, coaching, or joining me on my journey and doing an event with me.

What Inspires Me

This week so far I have worked about 20 hours and will finish off the week with about 27 hours. I also went to visit a friend who lives about 2 hours away from me on Wednesday and Thursday.

Tuesday night I watched the Biggest Loser, which in the end is very inspiring for me, on their first night on the ranch they were told to bike a marathon distance and each player does half the work. I made a remark that it shouldn't be that hard. To prove my point the next morning I woke up and got on the bike. Right before an hour hit I was at 16 miles. I decided to get off and get ready for my busy day of traveling. Never say something looks easy unless you have done it or are willing to try it. I had a piece of humble pie and admiration for those contestants who did it because I still had about 10 miles left.

Another factor that has inspired me with my journey has been this amazing new guy in my life who is in the Navy. He is challenging himself to be the best he can be through getting through the rigorous training of the Navy Seal. The one thing that gives me a push is his want to do better and not just get through it. He is stronger and faster than he wants to believe, but yet sets goals and goes for them with little fear. That makes me blessed to know such a person with such caliber, but it helps me do the same. Thanks my Navy man.

On that topic today I decided to shoot for 6 miles, which would be the second time I have accomplished the 10k. I was not worried about time when I had this idea. While, I started I thought I was not going to do it. I ended up pushing through and also getting fire in my spirit. I accomplished it and my 5k was 5 minutes faster than my average time on the tredmill and my 10k was 5 minutes faster than my first try. In the time I did my first 10k I was 300 meters past my goal.

 

Getting Back on Track

Today in about 34 degrees that dropped to about 32 degrees which it felt like in the mid 20s I ran a 4 miler. I could see my breath during the whole run. Sunny and clear skies can lead to deception. Looks like a warm spring day, but in reality it is a crisp winter day. I had to wait until about 2:30 pm to run so it would be at the warmest. Geared up in my Under Armor cold gear pants and shirt, my Asics all weather jacket (that helps with wind, rain, and snow), my Addida's running shorts, my Thorlos socks, my 1063s, my Ironman Timex watch, and Ionic wrist band thinking I would stay warm. I did, except I wished I had gloves on and a face mask because my nose and ears were frozen. I enjoyed seeing the Robins out looking more beautiful than ever and during my run two women said I made it look warm than they noticed my rosy face. It made me smile.

In the end I am getting back in my groove from that 2 week break because of the cold. I feel so alive on these runs and strong. Also, after that I did a light strength training session to warm up to my normal work out. Eventually I will be back and going towards my goals of a 10-k soon and eventually a marathon.