Celebration Run

Today was the Celebration 5K run. It was the culmination of 10 weeks of learning to run. The course took us through the paved park trails, grassy fields and a wooded trail.
We woke up to heavy gray skies and rain. It is always tempting to stay at home on days like this. Yet, we stuck to the plan. We packed up the kids (the girls had slept in their running clothes!) and headed out.
On arrival we all pinned on our bibs and then watched the kids race. Abbey and Jenna were awesome! Abbey said she came in 4th place! Jenna actually ran the whole thing without me by her side! They both got ribbons.
Danny, Eli, Benn and I lined up for our race. Then Abbey wanted to try it, too. She ran with her grandmother whose running pace is a little slower. She ended up doing one loop of the two loop race, but her grandmother says she was running ahead and coming back a lot, so we think she probably ran at least 2 miles! Great job Abbey!!
As soon as I started running I knew I was probably running faster than I should at the start. I wasn't sure I could keep up that pace for the entire race. But this was a race so I decided to go for it. I hit one mile at 9 min. 36 sec. Then I hit 2 miles at 19:11. The last leg was certainly the hardest. It was raining, so I couldn't tell what was sweat and what was rain. I am thankful for the rain because it probably kept me cooled off a lot! I ended up running the race at 29 minutes 57 seconds. I improved my first 5K and ran pretty consistent with my weekday run times.
Prizes were awarded at the end to the different age groups. Benn ended up winning 2nd place for 19 and under, I won second place for my age group and Danny won 2nd for his age group! My running mother-in-law won 3rd for age group. We even got medals! Way to go guys!!!
We got our next phase running plans. I can't wait to get started on these. We will be doing more specific training for speed and endurance. I think I am ready for that!

You Must be a Runner!

I looked around to see who this lady was talking to and realized she meant me! Me?
After the group run this morning I headed out to a few yard sales still in my running shorts and, ever so stylish, Run-In performance shirt. I looked like a runner, all right. And I felt like a runner after the run I did this morning, too. I ran 13 minutes, walked 1 and then ran 20 minutes! I would never have done that at home, but I was running with the coaches right beside me telling me what a good runner I was and encouraging me to go on. They were giving me tips and hints about knee care and running on hills and trails. They were talking about cadence and form. I am still figuring out what all that means, but with these coaches coming along side of me, I know I will get it soon enough.
To be honest, I can't believe I ran that long and can still stand up tonight! I remember when running two minutes made me breathe fast. I remember when five minutes seemed impossible and today I did 20 without even realizing it. I know I keep mentioning the 2 minutes, 5 minutes, etc. Remembering gives me courage and hope that I will be running harder and farther one day. And I will have fun doing it.
My knees were aching a little but I iced them and now they are doing great. I am heading back into the shoe store to address some uncomfortable issues. Some simple wedges may eliminate that. It's great to have some experts at my fingertips to help with things like this.
Then this afternoon I saw a “real runner” at the coffee shop. She was refusing chocolate cake because she had a race tomorrow. “What kind of race?” I asked her. She was running an adventure race. This involves trails, mountain bike and lake swimming. It is very intense. Then she asked me if I was a runner.
“I am learning to be” was my reply.
One day I will say, “Yes, I sure am!”