I kicked off my 4th of July weekend on a great note: I ran a 5K race!
It was hotter than I like to run in (like 85 maybe), but it was fun nonetheless. My friend Alison ran with me, and we enjoyed our post-race beer together. (By far, the best reason for running is getting a beer at the end!)
We both did great at the race, too! Though I started a bit too fast (seriously! a 9:17 mile for the first one! Ca-RAZY fast for me!!), I slowed down to my regular pace and finished the 5K-plus (it ended up being 3.4 miles) in just 34:50 - a 10:16 pace. My best so far this year!
Among the latest reasons I may be crazy is my summer running calendar! I have 6 races (mostly 5Ks, but one 10K) on the calendar between July 1 and August 31. WOW!
First, the Hot Dam 5K on July 3rd. I'm excited for this one because it's an evening race (though, it might be hot), there's beer at the end, it's my old stomping grounds, I'm running with a friend, AND there's nothing I want more than a T-Shirt that says Hot Dam! on it. :)
I was a bit coerced to doing the Color Run. I had a lot of friends who ran it last year and it looked like a big, busy mess! When I run a race, I run to do the best I can do - and the Color Run looks like a crazy mayhem! But, my friends convinced me to do it with them, and I'm not one to turn down a child-free day. I'm most concerned about getting the color dye on my glasses. What if I won't be able to see where I'm going?!
Then, in a first for me, I'm doing back-to-back 5Ks in a single weekend. Saturday July 20th is the Highland Fest 5K, part of my neighborhood celebration. Then on Sunday July 21st I'm venturing to Red Wing for the Falconer 5K. I'm so excited for this one! Wine tasting at the end!!
I take a few weeks off, but then jump back in with one of my favorite races, the Milk Run at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 25th. This was one of the first 5K races I ever ran in 2005 or 2006 and it is SO FUN! The winners of this race get a blue ribbon - something that I am certain I will never earn. But it's fun to dream!
And the last race I'm registered for this summer is the Women Rock 10K on Aug. 31st. Should be a fun race - near my house, a fun distance, running with a friend, champagne at the end. Can't wait!
Pretty busy running summer! I have plans for the fall, too, but I think I need to get through the summer first. Races are so addicting - I love the atmosphere. I love challenging myself. I love the goodie bags you get. I love wearing my T-shirt with pride.
I hope to see my times improve throughout this summer... but even if not, I will remember this summer by how many races I ran!
I *wish* the title here was referring to the pace of losing weight..... sadly, it's not. I'm going up and down the same 1.some pound for a few weeks now. SO frustrating!!!
Back on pace means back to my feelin' good 10-minute mile! I feel like for a non-competitive runner like me, 10:00 miles are just perfect. They're fast enough to feel like you are RUNNING (as opposed to jogging), yet they are steady enough that I can whip out a few miles and not drain myself.
Which is just what I did yesterday!
I did 4 miles in 40:18, which felt just GREAT!
I'd done 10:00 miles for 3 miles before, but not for 4. I feel like I must finally be making some headway in getting more fit if I can go farther at a faster pace! Feels good!!
It's important for me to focus on these little things that prove to me I'm getting healthier little by little --- even if the number on the scale isn't moving too fast!
