run a 5k

Ok, I forgot to update, but I did another full 5k run (though not a race). This was my first timed run unencumbered (no baby stroller) in a long time, and I was curious to see how I’d do.

27:11

That’s a solid time for me, and smashed my 2008 goal for sure. I think it will be challenging to get down to the 25 minute range, but I am starting to feel that it might be reachable, barring injuries.

Of course, now we’re in the winter season with less light and less warmth, but this feels like it’s been a good year to be back in the running swing.

washougal wa….run for the hungry…i am going to try

After recovering from the food poisoning, things are going well again! I love running when it’s so cold outside, though I’m a little worried that the forthcoming snow is going to be a problem, I’m generally upbeat. I look forward to the days I’m scheduled to run, which is nice :)

The Wacky 5K Run will be the 5k i participate in. :)

Right now I am doing week one of the couch to 5 k.
Mon/Wes/Fri

Brisk five-minute warmup walk.
Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging
and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Today, I participated in the Elkhorn Turkey Trot at Elkhorn’s Common Ground. It is a 5k (although the route was a little short). It was timed by a timer-person, but not with the large time clock. I used my Garmin Forerunner 205 to time myself, which is probably less time than the official one since I pressed start at the start line and the gun went off just a bit before I crossed the start line.

There is not official published results. This was more of a benefit run. It was one of few November events I could find to participate in. Part of the problem is that I have a lot of conflicts in November. It was a pretty small event.

So, my results as per my own timing is a personal best of 26:59 (on the short course of 3.05 miles), average pace of 8:51/mile, average speed of 6.8 mph, and a max speed of 10.2 mph. The max speed was coming down the hill before the finish line. I always speed up at the finish and also going downhill.

It flurried during the run, so I had snowflakes on my clothes. Since it was a Turkey Trot, there was, of course, a turkey. He’s pictured.

I received two compliments post-race. One was from a group of women probably close to my age who said I look like a runner. Another was from a 40-50 year old man who told me “You’re a good runner. I followed you for awhile, until I couldn’t anymore.” Both compliments really make me feel good.

my husband and I for the 5K on December 20th.

It’s on!!!

I’m signing up today for a 5K on December 20th.
I was going to wait until I did my Thanksgiving Day (4 mile) race to sign up (and see if I actually liked participating in races etc…) But the truth is that I’ve wanted this goal for so many years, that I have to complete it regardless of the outcome of the 4 mile race in a couple of weeks.

I also think that signing up for another race will help keep me in the right track (i.e. making the right lifestyle choices that will support this athletic feat)

In other words, I will be less likely to fall off the wagon after the first race, because I’ll know I’ll have the 5K to complete shortly after.

So I’m super excited because the 5K is right off the fitness trail that I regularly run. And it’s the exact same course that I ran on Monday. So not only will I be familiar with it in advance, I already know that the scenery will be breathtaking. yay!

I have started the “From Couch to 5K” prgram. So far I have run 4 times in the past week. This week I plan on running 5 times. I feel like my body is getting stronger and I am on my way to running 3 miles!

I totally fell off the wagon because…. (drumroll please) I ended up in the ER with food poisoning. Ew.

After the week of puking, I was just being lazy and trying to catch up on all the schoolwork I missed. (But mostly I was just being lazy).

I picked up again yesterday, though, so there’s hope!

I got my number today. 223. Unfortunately I’m not going to be running the whole thing since I’m (most likely) pulling an all-nighter the night before to finish packing. And then I have to move after. But I committed to it and I’m sticking to it. Even if it is HORRIBLE timing.