Today Is The Day---MY 5K!!!!

Today I ran my first 5K (well I ran a 5K 15 years ago but it was so long ago that I am considering this my first 5K). There were so many variables that detered me from doing the race but I did it anyway. First and foremost, it was raining. I have never run outside in the ran before. The roads were slippery and I was being overly cautious since I already have a sore ankle. Then I was informed during my registration that the course wasn't marked. They gave us written directions to read and follow while we were running. Now I started to get really nervous. My first race---raining, nonmarked course, bum ankle. Oh boy! There were only 12 people in the race and now I really knew I was going to come in last.

Thank goodness for Chris' Aunt Kathy who made wonderful signs for my fans to hold. Chris, Maddie, Hailey, Fran and Grandma were all there to root me on, hold their signs and blow their party horns. At 9:30, I was up and running my first 5K. Not only was I the last one, but the ambulances were following me with their lights on. Boy was I definitely getting some special attention. The first 1.5 miles wasn't so bad. Then I hit my first hill and my ankle started to really bother me. The course lead us through a park path that consisted of gravel and grass which was hard to run on. I had 3 ladies in front of me that I was following so I knew I wouldn't get lost.

As we approached mile 2, two of the ladies started walking. This was my chance to not be the last one across the finish line. I picked up my speed but once I got close they started running again. As soon as there was a distance between us, they would start walking again. Once I caught up, they would run again. They definitely wanted me to be last. At one point, the 3 ladies ahead of me cut off part of the course and didn't turn down a side street. I was tempted to follow but knew I wouldn't feel like I completed the race if I cut some of the course out. So off I went on my own and knew I was now definitely going to be the last one across the finish line.

Once I completed running up the last hill, I was so happy. I knew the end was near. As I came down the road to the finish line, I definitely had a big crowd cheering me on. Not sure if they were just happy to know they could go home or go enjoy the complimentary continental breakfast they had for runners, or if they really were happy to see me. I was kind of embarrassed but my happiness overtook that emotion quickly. I had run 13 minute miles in the rain with a bad ankle to complete my first solo 5K. I did it. I also got the t-shirt to prove it!

This race was in memory of Sgt. Kenneth von Ronn who was a 20 yr. old soldier from my town who was killed in Afghanistan.

Here are some pics from today:Yes, that is the ambulance following me. Unfortunately, they got a call they had to go to and then I was on my own.

All in all, it was fun and interesting. I am glad I achieved what I set out to do.

Better Day

Today was much different than yesterday. Maddie was in good spirits and I ran a bit longer. I went 3.5 miles mostly walking with a few short runs here and there. Although my ankle is still swollen and in quite a bit of pain, I am determined to run the 5K on Sunday. I can't believe that I really haven't run since Monday. That makes me nervous.

I read a trick in Runner's World magazine. It said to count slowly to 100 as you run so you distract yourself from any pain or thought of wanting to stop running during a race. I tried that today and it worked. I plan on counting to 100 over and over again. I just hope I don't finish last. I guess the worst case scenario is that I have to walk some of it which will slow me down. But at least I will cross the finish line.

Here is the route I did today with Maddie in the jogging stroller. The weather was great and perfect day for a walk/run. So glad that Maddie did great and I didn't have to carry her the last mile.

www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1113168

Nice Day...Terrible Walk/Run

So I took the last two days off in hopes of giving my ankle some rest. Because I have my first 5K on Sunday, I thought today I would take Maddie in the jogging stroller and go for a long run/walk. It turned out to be a very unfocused and not so great run/walk. It all started when I turned on my all sport gps tracker and it wasn't set up to the way I am use to having it set up. It still tracked my way but I like to be able to view the information throughout my work out and I couldn't do that today. Then Maddie's socks kept falling off and she kept dropping her toys so I had to keep stopping. My plan was to run 5 minutes then walk 10 minutes. I was aiming for a 3.3 mile route. I was so distracted plus my ankle was really bothering me when I walked. But I still tried to run and only lasted 3 minutes until I was limping. All I kept thinking about was how am I going to run the race on Sunday. I kept walking and was about 1 mile from home when Maddie decided to start screaming-tears and all. So I had to pick her up out of the jogger and carry her the rest of the way home. Now I was limping, holding a solid 18 pounder and pushing a jogging stroller and I was a mile from home. Oh and I eventually took her socks off so she w0uldn't lose one but I ended up losing one anyway. Somehow it fell out of the cup holder. Go figure.

Here's my course for today...50 minutes to do 2.7 miles...how pathetic is that!

www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1111530

I still plan on doing the race. The funny thing is I can deal with the pain but I am more frightened at the thought of coming in last and long after everyone was finished. I just know I will not be able to keep a good pace and will probably just doing my running limp along the 5K route. After the race, I can ice the heck out of it and then take a week off. But I will do the race no matter what. I am committed.

Dr's Orders...Well Maybe

Today I went for an xray of my ankle because I could barely walk on it when I woke up let alone go up and down the stairs. The doctor seems to think I pulled a ligament and didn't give it enough time to heal before I was up and running again. I never take more then 1 day off in between runs (although I think last week I didn't run Friday or Saturday). I usually run 5-6 days a week so it doesn't give me much time to rest and recover from any injury that may have occurred. So...the dr. said to ice it, take a prescribed pain med and stay off of it for a WEEK! What???? I actually felt like I wanted to cry. I told him I have a 5K race on Sunday and he advised me not to push it. Well, we will just have to see about that. I plan on icing it like crazy today and trying to put my feet up whenever possible (that won't happen too much with 2 kids). Hopefully tomorrow I can go for a nice long walk and then Thursday and Friday do some short runs. I really don't want to not do the race. I also know I need to run each day to be prepared for the race. I am afraid if I rest the next few days, I won't be ready for Sunday. I also have to consider that Hailey is making her First Holy Communion on Saturday so I don't want to injure myself more over the next few days.

I was reading in my Runner's World magazine about overpronation and underpronations. It basically means landing on your foot the wrong way when running thus causing an angle in which you can hurt your ankles, heels, arches, etc. I watched a video on it on their website and I think this is my problem. Just not sure if I am an overpronater or an underprocater. A better pair of running sneakers might do the trick to preventing any further injuries but I am sure the cost $$$ for a specific pair of sneakers. Something to look into.


I guess I will just have to take this one day by day and see how it goes. Bummer.

Beautiful Morning

My goal was to be out by 7AM today for my run. Well, I was up and running at 6:45. I fed Maddie at 6AM put her back in her crib and left everyone else in the house sleeping. What a great way to start a morning. It is so quiet and peaceful out at that time of day. It was breezy and the birds were chirping away. I ran 3.3 miles and was back just in time to be there when Hailey woke up.

Here's my run from today:

www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1106617

I am a little nervous about my upcoming run on Sunday because I somehow hurt my ankle yesterday. I don't remember hurting it but when I came home from the track, my ankle was really bothering me. I hurt all throughout my run today and I didn't realize how much pain I was in until I stopped running when I got home. It is difficult going up and down the stairs and just walking in general without limping. I have absolutely no idea what I did. I am icing it when I can but I don't want this to interfere with my runs this week. I really need to keep up the pace this week in anticipation of Sunday's race.

I also started reading Runner's World magazine. It is filled with great information and some really cool products for a runner. Never knew there was so much out there. I would love to find a local mentor/running group to get involved with to help improve my running. Maybe I will start looking into that.

Not sure what will happen tomorrow with my ankle. If anything, maybe a fast walk will just have to do.

Mother's Day Run

Today is Mother's Day and I wanted to get my run in early. That didn't happen so I decided I wanted us all to go to the track so I can run yet still be with my family. We went to the track in the early afternoon and the weather was beautiful. I didn't have a great run though. It was the afternoon and I had just eaten some lunch, two strikes against me. Like I have said before, I am definitely a morning person. I enjoy running early in the morning and on an empty stomach (or after having a light breakfast). Maddie lasted only about 2 miles and then she got cranky. So I decided to end it there. Two miles of running around the track and then off to enjoy the rest of the day with my family. Chris did comment that he noticed I was running faster. I did the first mile in 12:45 minutes. Here is my logged run for the day:

www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1105668

I already have my running clothes set out for tomorrow. Only 1 more week until my 5K race. I want to get my run in tomorrow before the day gets started with Hailey and Maddie. My goal is to be out the door by 7AM since Chris is off tomorrow and can be home with the girls.

The weather for the week ahead looks great. I hope to get a run in every day.

Run With Maddie

Here's a pic of Maddie right before we were up and and running for our morning run. As soon as Hailey got on the bus we left. It was a beautiful morning...cool and sunny. Maddie did great. I am still hesitant to go too far with her for the fear that she is going to be hysterical and I still have a few miles to get back home. I guess it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. It would probably make me run faster. Although my all sport gps tracker said I ran 2.5 miles, I think it was further. I thought it was at least 3 miles. I may go take a ride in the car later to track my route. I love the tracker but I am getting frustrated with it's inaccuracies. Still not sure why it says a rest time on the log. I know sometimes I lose a gps signal. I may try a different program to see if which one I like better.

I looked at the predicted forecast for my race day. It says it is going to rain. Bummer. The good thing is that it is going to be cool. The bad thing is I don't think my "fans" (Chris, Hailey and Madison and maybe Chris' grandmother) will be there cheering me on if it is raining. I will keep my fingers crossed. Hailey is making her First Holy Communion the day before my race and it is suppose to rain that day too. I am going to keep my fingers double crossed.

Here is the link to my run today. I basically ran one way and turned around and came back the same way. Tomorrow I may try for a longer run depending on Miss Maddie.

www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1100814

Early Morning Run

Today was another great run day. I got out at 7:15 and it felt great to be up and running. It wasn't part of the plan to go that early but Maddie didn't sleep that well so I was up almost all night anyway. Hailey was up getting ready for school and Chris was off from work. There was not going back to sleep so I figured it would be a great opportunity to get my run in.

I was a little bummed when I started out because my all sport gps tracker lost signal probably due to the cloudy sky. So it didn't track the first half mile of my run. When you view the link to today's run, it isn't accurate. The mileage is wrong (I ran 4.2 miles again) and some of the other stats. I still don't know what the rest time is. I swear I didn't rest for 10 minutes. The red line on the map is when the signal is lost. I ran 2 miles one way and ran 2 miles back the same route. I didn't realize the that 2 miles back were mostly all up hill. Not steep hills but gradual inclines so I definitely felt it.

I think I did a few seconds or maybe a half a minute better than my time yesterday. I made it back in time to put Hailey on the bus for school and then start my day. Tomorrow I will have to run with Maddie since Chris is back to work. My first run with her was 2.5 miles so maybe I will go for 3 miles.

Here is the link to today's run....remember thought it isn't accurate but shows some representation of what I did today.

www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1098225

What A Difference!

Today was my best outdoor run yet. It started early and it was nice and cool outside. I think those two factors helped make a difference. I ran 4.2 miles but the best part for me was I ran 12 minute miles. I was able to keep the pace throughout the run and was much more focused. I started out pretending today was the day of my 5K race so I had no choice but to keep up a good pace and push through the uneven and hilly terrain. I just kept visualizing the finish line. I was so happy when I felt I finally crossed my imaginary finish line.

Chris put an app on my cell phone call "allsport gps." It tracks your miles, pace, calories, etc. I can then go on the computer and see the results, as well as see them on my cell phone. It also shows your elevation which shows me just how uphill the last mile of my run is. Here's the link to my run:

www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1097039

I am not sure why it says I was inactive for 12 minutes or so. When I did get home, I didn't shut the app off immediately so that probably has something to do with it. My run was 49 minutes...4 minutes less than my last one.

On Saturday, I tried to go for a run with Maddie in the jogging stroller and Hailey on her scooter. I was only able to go for 30 minutes because my 8 year old was worse than my 6 month old. First she was hot and had to take her jacket off. Then she was cold so she had to put it back on. Then she found a turtle shell that I had to stop and look at. It was more difficult than I anticipated mostly because Hailey just wanted to ride a scooter and have fun. So fun we had and did find another turtle shell along the way.

Less than two weeks to go until my 5K race. I am hoping the weather is just like today and I am glad it is in the morning. I am definitely a morning person when it comes to running.