my first 5k

well... I didn't die! 

I successfully ran my very first 5k on Saturday! It was fun.

I didn't do as well as I had hoped for but I was sick the 3 days leading up to the race and the fact that I was able to run the whole thing without passing out was good enough for me. 

I ran with a few friends of mine which really helps to push me. They have a faster pace than I do. Since I was ill I didn't try keeping up but this coming weekend, they will definitely be what pushes me.

We got into the St. Patrick's Day spirit and dressed up. 

My time was 30:10 which wasn't terrible and gives me room to improve (since we have talked about doing one pretty much every weekend through May)

Things I learned from the first race.

- being sick and unable to breath through your nose really sucks

- pick your music wisely, luckily my playlist was set in a good order. I can't imagine being on the last leg and not having a super pump me up song playing

- wind+hills=no bueno

- there will a 60 year old man who crushes your opinion of how fit you are... he will run the 3 miles in 17 minutes!

All in all it was a good time. There were a ton of people there, somewhere around 600-700. The costumes were great and the atmosphere made it exciting. People of all ages participated, there were a few 9 year olds and some fit 60 yr olds. 

This weekend we have our second race, another 5k out in Maize. My sister, Brooke, will be in town and running with us! Goal for this week.. 28 minutes as long as I am healthy!

on running

My first 5k is this Saturday! I can't believe it is already here, I feel like I have been preparing forever but still not ready for it.  Actually I am feeling pretty good about it. The weather has been so nice lately that getting out to run is easy.

As you remember I started getting back in shape 2 months ago, I wanted to feel good about myself again and I used the I just had a baby excuse for too long, for goodness sake Mason was 7 months!

I started out doing Insanity and it was a real reality check; it kicked my butt. A friend of mine talked me into signing up for a 5k with her. It was 8 weeks away which left me with plenty of time to prepare. I am not a runner by any means but I knew it would push me to train hard.

At first I ran on my mom's treadmil after work on days that she had Mason... it was ok but I never went more than a mile and a half. Treadmil running is SO boring. I started running outside when it was nice and I was able to run much further, it was nice actually moving when I ran. There is something about going from A to B rather than just running in place that works for me.

Today the weather was awesome, I clean up my jogging stroller, which I bought at a yard sale a year before I was even expecting Mason.... it was cheap, and loaded little man up. I pushed myself and the stroller the whole 3 miles... in 26 minutes!!!

I honestly feel well prepared for my race and on track to running it under my goal which is 27 minutes. After this race I have another 5k the following weekend then I have 3 weeks to train for The Gladiator run which is a 5k obstacle course sure to kick my booty!

Be sure to check back in next week for my post on the race!