Running: 10k, all the way!

Me and God, we got a thing going on...

Put in a special request for little to no humidity and a cool day.  Got just what I wanted, which was the icing on the cake for my race today.  My 6.22 mile race...

I can't even begin to describe the type of emotions I had today.  All of them were good, but they were just all over the place.  Today was my first ever 10k.  It was amazing!  Compared to my last race, which I had a stitch in my side the whole way through because I made myself so nervous, this was so much more comfortable.  I had a few issues with my nerves, but nothing that stopped me cold. 
Before the race I kept this phrase in my head, "zen out".  I needed to zen myself out.  It worked.  I wasn't completely calm, because you need your nerves, but I was focused and at ease.  

There were only 86 registered racers, very small, and an even smaller amount running the 10k.  

 everyone setting their watches...race is about to start!

I immediately looked for people to pace with.  Felt like the new girl on the playground asking for friends.  HAH.  But it's important to have a little nucleus of people to run with.  

 Meet Chris and Sue

I stayed with them until the 2.5 mile mark, then shot off -- and never looked back. 

When I saw the big spray painted letters on the ground telling me I was at 3 miles, I smiled because I felt really good.  During the first 2 miles my nerves had been acting up making me worry whether or not I was running too slow.  But I wasn't.

Edging up on 3.5 miles there was a huge spray painted smiley face saying "It's all downhill from here" and I ran like I was being chased...I used the hills to gain time.  I wasn't afraid to run pellmell.  It was at the 5 mile mark that caught up with a lady, in a pink shirt, who I hadn't seen since the beginning of the race.  

The last few yards to the finish line...

She set my finish pace for me.  Rockin it out hard next to a lady at least 25 years my senior.  She kept me going, man.  All the way to the end we were side by side, I just couldn't back down.  Then, I dug deep and finished in an all out run.  My official time was 51 min and some seconds putting me roughly around 8 min, give or take, a mile.  In my age group, I finished first...but I can't even say that THAT was the highlight of my day.

My son Cylas was.  

A month ago when I got the email for this race, I noticed that there was a quarter mile run for kids his age.  I really wanted him to run it.  And today he decided that he wanted to do it.

When they shot off the starting line, I cried a little.  My little boy was in a REAL race!  He did so well.  He didn't come in first or even second, but he finished.  He didn't fall, he didn't stop, he passed a whole bunch of other little kids and he made it to the end.  Then he cried, said his tummy hurt and that his feet were sore.  New shoes??  Pumas, perhaps??  Yes, I have a little runner in the making.  So very, very proud of my baby boy.

Watching all those little legs running as hard and as fast as they could was totally amazing.  You know, I've read that if you want to learn how to run...watch a child.  They run without abandon, are light on their feet and their posture is perfect.  As we grow older, we tend to tighten up, hunch and run with heavy feet...these were truly little lightening bugs.  So sweet.

Oh, and my little brother ran the mile, too.  That was huge for him...very proud of him, too.

Today was just spectacular and it really boosted my confidence for the half-marathon in my future.  I was also really happy about Cy's determination to run and hope that both of my children embrace athletics with a fierce competitiveness.

Right after my race, tired and sweaty but one happy momma!

Me, with Cylas after my race and right before his...I'm on the phone with my dad telling him about my race!

Running: Elasticity

Last night was another grueling, yet rewarding workout.  The weights on my bar were heavy and taunting me.  My muscles were screaming during the whole workout and I was seriously sweating like a pig.  Sort of embarrassing because I seriously could have filled a small cup with what poured from my neck.  It didn't help that the humidity was high and I had just finished a 3.5 mile run ten minutes before.

Knowing my race is Saturday made me dig deeper and grunt a lot.  Poor, sweaty me...not really too concerned what other people were thinking but getting the best workout.  My legs feel amazing this morning.  They are sore, but not nearly as sore as Tuesday.  I knew that yesterday's workout would cut through my soreness with a sort of balm that heals.  Weird but true.

But what really made my workout enjoyable was my leg.  That pesky little leg of mine gave up its secret.  It needed to be stretched.  So, I stretched that sucker good and it stopped acting up!  How did I not stretch well enough that my muscle ended up in sort of a knot right below my glute.  Quite painful.

I started looking for my next race...a half-marathon.  Really concerned that I won't be able to put in the mileage needed but determined to make it work.  The half is in August...plenty of time.  Focus, focus.

Be on the look out for photos and a post on my 10k!

Silent cheerleaders, well wishes desired!

Running: *sore*

Went to Body Pump last night and did something really scary -- I upped my weights.  I've been tossing the possibility around in my head for quite some time now and finally took the plunge.  So glad I did.

Adding weights, even two additional pounds, can make a world of difference and it's scary!  My first thought was that I wouldn't be able to do it.  I added five pounds to my squat weight and five pounds to my chest weight.  Although, I did drop five pounds on my triceps weight.  My arms start shaking so badly that I can barely hold the bar!  Maybe I'll add the weight back and just hold it bar so at least I'm getting some resistance training in. 

I ran

3.2

It's a small amount but after doing an hour of Body Pump, you're pretty whipped.  Not to mention my legs were shaking from the added weight that evening.  This Saturday I have my first 10k and I couldn't be more happy.  A little nervous because my leg is still acting up and I haven't had the chance to run six miles in a while.  I'm not worried about completing, I'm just worried about how slow I'm going to be.  I don't like being slow.  Compared to other people I'm slow, but that doesn't matter I'm comparing my time with my previous times and I know that's what will make me disappointed...I'm going to give it my best and I'll have photos soon!

Silent cheerleaders, have any races planned?

Running Update: Where was I??

I seriously feel like I've been in a time warp.  The past week and a half has NOT been what I would consider notable.  Blah.  That's how it's felt and when I stepped on the scale I screamed.  Well, maybe I yipped.  So, you know this thing called metabolism.  It stabbed me in back...or in the rear or in the hips or wherever.  It stabbed me and stuck it to me good.   I feel like I'm hungry a lot.  I eat.  And then I expend my energy and then I eat a little more.  I do not gorge myself or over eat at all.  I eat until satiated.  But, I am constantly looking for something to munch.  Pistachios, raisin bran, leftovers, you name it...but I haven't been able to spend it all.  My calories...spending my stinkin' calories.  Soooo, this week I did a total of:

7.7

 In an effort to make sure I do not rip my neck muscles into that horrid place of pain, I have taken it really easy.  I'm glad and sad.  I feel like hiccuping and crying all at the same time.  There are more miles that I need to run, but if I don't take it easy I won't be able to run at all.

Basically, on the road to a complete recovery.  My neck still acts up and I have pain every now and then, but I'm healing.

Oh!  I thought I'd let you all know that I'm going to be running my first ever 10k in June...I'll keep you posted.  6.2 miles baby!!  YEeaaaaahh.

Silent cheerleaders, I need you now more than ever.  Every little piece of support I get makes it easier for me to push through.  Thank you all so much!