run a 5km race

Today was the second day I ran on the track at my gym and was able to run continuously for 10 minutes. I think I could have gone longer but my goal was to get to 10 minutes and so my body just stopped functioning after I hit my target. I’m starting to realize that running takes a strong mind…ah ya ya. My goal by the end of this week is to do a run of 15 minutes with no break.

Ok, back into this again. Done Session 1 and Session 2 this week. Plan to do Session 3 on Friday. Let’s hope I stay injury free.

I ran the YMCA 5Km road race in 35minutes. I think I could have ran it faster had the weather been more cooperative—everyone was saying it was so hot, that even seasoned runners had about 5 minutes added to their time.

But yes, it was worth but I’m glad to be done with training for now. I’ll just get back to a normal fitness routine for the next little while.

My partner really enjoys running. So he pushes me to run further, faster, harder…. and I don’t enjoy it at all. It’s not like I don’t push myself already. I just end up feeling resentment for the weight of his expectations or for him pushing me when I’ve achieved and am silently celebrating a personal milestone.

Am I being ungrateful?

I finally did it! 4.5 km. Up hills & down and the last 1.5km through sheer will.
All I kept on saying to myself was: “I can do this, because I can do anything!” My 5km dream is closer and much faster than I thought.

I didn’t believe it. But it’s true. You can run with a weak core, but a strong one makes all the difference. I’ve been doing some core training using a ball every second day.

I have a pretty much constant dull ache in my butt, but the running’s getting better. I can feel my body get taller & stronger and my stride getting straighter and firmer.

I’m still not able to do a 30min run without stop, but I’m running in 10min stretches over very HILLY terrain. And fairly quickly too.

I can’t wait to break through the barrier.

I’ve been running the race route now, to get ready for the big day. I can do the 5km in 30 minutes, which is 15 minutes better than my original attempt. I’m getting super excited, and I’m hoping to finish the race under 30 minutes.

Running is really unpredictable. One moment your legs are pumping and chewing up turf; and the next you can’t imagine another step.

So while the next day pain barrier has been breached & my lungs don’t burn as much, I’m discovering new muscle ache as I get stronger and my running action gets better.

Next run tomorrow.

I am not an athlete. A natural dancer perhaps. Bt running…No. And that’s the lure for me. I know that this body, my vehicle on earth is capable of more than I can imagine. And I’m tired of feeling weak at this young age.

So I started running. About 4 mnths ago. DURBAN South Africa’s summer. Look it up. That’s extreme. I bought a great book- “Runners World Guide to running” small, but useful- a good pair of shoes and took to the road. And boy did it HURT! Muscular and just exhaustion from the heat.

So in deference to nature I hung up my shoes for a while, stuck to my weekly game of squash and occasional laps in the pool.

And last week I gave it another try. And twice this week. And the 3 day pain didn’t happen. Only 3km mind you, but over hilly terrain. And even one run just because I needed the sense of speed and freedom. That feeling I’ve been longing for.

Well Done to me. Now let’s see what this evening’s run is like.

Well I did Session 2 on Friday but then I sprained my ankle on Sunday. Will have to see how many ankle does before I plan anymore running sessions.

I’m extremely cranky at my body.