Spank Blasing 5K, 10K and Walk

Michael and I after our races.

On April 21, 2012 Michael and I both raced in the Spank Blasing Race. Michael decided to go for the 10K and I did the 5K. We weren't ablt to register prior to race day so in the morning we rushed down to the registration office, weaved through all of the people and paid to participate. Michael was in awe of how many healthy people were there! Participating in a race with a big group of people reminds you that you aren't alone, it is like a big running club event.  

When the race started I was feeling good. The sun was out and warm, I was ready to go. The gun goes off, I stepped on the blue pad and was off. My first kilometer was great! According to Endomondo my first mile was ran in 9:18. Not bad! This was before the course became completely uphill! I did my best to run up, up, up for a while then I had to walk. My second mile's time was 11:17 and the third was 11:14. I did my best! Endomondo's time was slightly different than my chip time. According to my chip time I ran the 5K in 33:18. Not bad in my opinion.

What I love about races is that it reminds me of how much work I have to do before I reach my goals. At the same time it shows that I can do it! A year ago I wasn't running 5K races. I was barely able to run a mile! Now, I am a runner!

When I crossed the finish line I was shocked! Michael was already there! I knew he would have a better time than me, no question but since he was running the 10K I figured I would have at least 5 minutes to get water and relax for a second before cheering him accross the finishline. Apparently there was a slight mix up on the course. He has already planned his next 10K race so he can finish and see what his time is. I believe he is running in a Cinco De Mayo run.

It was a great experience!
 

Here we are post race enjoying our "free' beer. I need new shorts...

This is the race map.

Mothers Running

Runners World has helped provide insight into the ins and outs of running. I receive the magazine monthly and devour the information within a few days. In Runner's World's special Spring/Summer issue of "The Trail" There is an article called The Mother Load. Basically the article talks about amazing women runners who also happen to be mothers. As a childless woman this article does two things, first it makes me feel like a complete slacker because I have a hard time working running into my day just being a single girl with no kids. These women run marathons or ultra trail not only do they run intense elite trail races, they also have kids and husbands to think about and plan around. I have a boyfriend and a dog...is that close? Haha, no. The second thing the article topic udid was almost prevent me from reading the complete article. My life is great, but I do feel behind in some aspects like having kids and a husband. After a couple days of avoiding the article I finally dove in, and I am glad I did.

Before going into detail these amazing women that should inspire every mother to slip on those running shoes to go run. I will just list off what made me feel a bit better about my status in life. The women were all in their 30's with young children! Kasie Enman, she went to Albania for the World Mountain Running Championships, she was 32and had a 13 month old. Another mom Darcy Africa, a 37 year old from Boulder, she has a 3-year-old. She placed third in a recent 103-mile Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc.

Basically, these women for whatever reason started having children later in life, later being in their 30s. Me being 27 with no kids doesn't seem as bad (I just can't compare myself to my cousins who have it all). I still want children, I think I will be an amazing, supportive mommy, but I am encouraged that I can do a few great things in life still before having kids whenever they happen to join me...

Life is unpredictable. You go with the punches and make the most of the hand given to you. Sometimes you also have to make a random change to get the current flowing again...

Tomorrow is another day and I need to fit 5 400 meter repeats into it somehow.

Time to get my butt in gear

A year ago I started running because I felt like my life was a little stagnant. Life was great, I was working full time, meeting up for beers with my boyfriend after work, other friends would usually join us. Even though my life was so good and full, I felt stagnant. I was having a great time but I was leaving several goals on the table. There was no progression with my desires to finish my degree or start a family. I still had debt I wanted to pay off. My work life felt almost boring! I love my job but I needed more in my life. It was time for a change. So, I started running!

Over the last year I have found that running is something I can do for me. I run because after a fun I feel accomplished. Maybe I'm not the fastest one out there but I'm still out there. A year later I still love running. Allergies might try to defeat me but I press on!

Is my life where I want it to be? That is a debate in my brain. Life is good right now. Yet I'm turning another year older and it is time to re-evaluate and readjust my goals.

In the last year I have:
1. Started going back to school.
2. I ran a 5K race
3. My car is now in my name and other debts are lower-- this is all great progress!

There are other little accomplishments but these are the top 3 I can think of. What will my 27th year look like? I have some major plans! One plan is I am going to run at least one half marathon before May 2013. I am going to take summer term off and build up my running time. By the end of the summer--maybe September-- I will run a half marathon. Maybe by next spring or summer I can reach the marathon level!

This is the plan I will use to guide my progress: http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51132/Half-Marathon-Intermediate-Training-Program

I will start with a mutated version of Hal Higdon's Novice 2 and his Intermediate plan until I am done with spring term. Once spring term is complete the hard core training begins!

Higdon's training plan will challenge me to increase my strength level. I'm already at the point where I can run 20 miles a week as long as I have time, now I need to increase my strength, speed and endurance.

My spring and summer will be focused on my favorite hobbies, running and gardening!

Time to pick few more 5K races and a 10K race I think!