Saturday, October 30, 2010

My first ever 5k

I ran my first ever 5k two weeks ago in New Bern (October 16, 2010). I ran the Neuse River Bridge Run and I loved it! I felt a little unprepared because I had not been able to complete my Couch to 5k program prior to the race, and my runs had become less consistent, but I think I did ok! My two goals for the day were: 1. Don't be last and 2. Keep it under 50 minutes and I succeeded with both goals! I know keeping it under 50 minutes sounds like a really pathetic goal seeing as a turtle could probably complete a 5k in 50 minutes, but I was just grateful that I had finished the race by the end of it. Since my training schedule had gotten off, I had never actually run more than just over two miles, which meant that I had only gone a little more than 2/3 the distance! I was proud of myself for finishing with a time of 43:10 and the next time I fully intend to beat that number!
Sunset view. Taken on the bridge that I ran over and the bridge that is shown to the right of this picture is one that the 10k and 1/2 marathon courses went over.

I am over on the left and I had just run over the bridge and was rounding my way back to start through the downtown portion of the course.

Me after the race. I was sweating all over even though it was only in the high 40s and I was thinking "That was the longest 3.1 miles I have ever seen!"

I need to get back out there and start running again but life has gotten so darn hectic lately that I am struggling to get through all of my schoolwork, plus dealing with family issues and so forth. I am going to try to make a grad school update within the next few days and another post dealing with all the other stuff going on, but that may take a few days!

I know I have been an MIA blogger

but my life has been pretty crazy lately.

For now, enjoy this picture of my AWESOME new necklace my Grandma gave me. She said it was Aunt Maude's old necklace, sounds about right?


Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Just because she is so darn cute...

Mere Bear taking care of Old Holly Berry.


Jon Jon sharing his toys with Meredith- how cute :)

Meredith enjoying her new puppy from PetSmart after Mommy was told that Meredith was the BEST dog they had ever had for a nail trimming/grinding.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Running fiascos

I am currently on my fall break from classes at ECU and it has been pretty nice. I am getting some time to catch up on some of my homework. I was also able to score a sweet babysitting gig with one cute little kid for a few days so I have been living the life of luxury in a 1.5 million $ condo, spending the days looking after a cutie patootie and spending time in the sun. However, this whole being at the beach thing gave me the bright idea to try running on the beach, which I have come to find out is not my thing.


This ^^^^ is what I envisioned yesterday when I decided to go for a beach run. This ^^^ is not what I got.

I learned yesterday that beach running is hard, very very hard. It will kick your butt. I ended up with more sand in my shoes than what was left on the beach, which made the fact that I was running on sand an even more difficult task to accomplish because I am sure I was carrying around at least 20 extra pounds in sand. Sand was everywhere. I also learned that my sports bra with the zip up in front is also not a fan of the beach run. About 5 minutes in it totally came undone, and let me tell you... there is no graceful way to zip up your unzipped sports bra on the beach with people every little bit and no shelter.

On top of the 20 lbs of sand in my shoes and the fact that the ladies were now flapping in the wind, when I tried to get off the beach after having enough of this mess, I stuck my hand on something and started bleeding profusely. Not just a little bit, profusely. I was bleeding like a stuck pig. When I finally got it to stop, there was blood caked on my hand, on my shorts, some on my new previously pretty running shoes, and some all over the pavement between the beach and my car.

Needless to say, yesterday was not my day for running. I am actually really discouraged with the 5k only a mere 4 days away and I dont feel at all prepared. I have been missing my running consistency with all the rain, my crazy schedule, and so forth and now I still have technically two weeks of training that I should have done before the race but havent. The good thing is that today after I am done babysitting, I was told that I could use the gym here if I wanted so I am going to the gym and I WILL run 3.1 miles. I know that it is on a treadmill and therefore different than outside running, but I want to at least go that distance once and then I think I will be at least mentally prepared for Saturday. I will definitely be doing an outside run again towards the end of the week to readjust but I think it is gym life for me at least today and maybe tomorrow too.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Couch to 5k: Week 7, Day 3

Today's run was really hard and I can't say that I was exactly successful in completing today's schedule. There were a few times where I had to stop my timer on the app that I use to help me through my runs so that I could walk or stretch for a few seconds. I am not sure what the deal was today but I just wasnt into it, even though I needed to go out today. I have six more runs before I am a Couch to 5k graduate, SIX more! There are only 9 days till race day but I think in preparation for the race I will complete all six before, or at least five before and make the 6th one the run from the day of the program? I dont know, I guess we'll see!

I have figured out that I really need to focus on hydrating my body more. I have never been a big hydrater (even though I really know that I should be), but now that I am physically active several times a week I definitely should be making more of a conscientious effort to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I think that is one of my main problems and why my legs are cramping up so much during my runs, and the cramping in my runs is causing the lead ball effect in my feet.... so basically I fix the hydration problem and I fix most of my issues with running!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Couch to 5k: Week 7, Day 2

I was very grateful for the cooler weather today when I took my run. It was nice to go out and to not be completely miserable because of the heat. I can see improvements in my speed lately so that is always a good thing as race day is creeping closer. Only 12 more days till the big day, and pretty soon I will be a C25k graduate! I am really looking into doing the Bridge to 10k program but I cant decide if I want to start that right away or if I want to wait awhile and just run 5k lengths for a few weeks before beginning another training program. The only thing I am afraid of if I dont do another training program is getting out of this new habit of mine. As evidenced in how long it has taken me to finish this program, even with the accountability of the program it is sometimes hard to stick with it. I guess we will just cross that bridge when we come to it!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Couch to 5k: Week 7, Day 1

I finally got out to run today after almost a week of being not able to due to the rain. It felt awesome to get out and run and actually accomplish something. Today I did another 25 minute run and it went really well. My feet only felt like lead balls for the last 7 minutes or so (as opposed to the 9ish from the last run). Meredith and I covered about 2.5 miles total today. I am hoping that these longer runs will help me to build up some speed now that I have worked up the endurance part of it. I am thinking that I need to join a local gym so that I can still exercise when it rains because I dont want to have to go that long without running again!

This weekend I will be busy babysitting, working on homework, lesson planning, and hopefully I will get the chance to hang out with some friends and go to the Seafood Festival!