Two weeks ago I confidently declared that I was taking "a few days" off from running in order to heal some pesky injuries I felt I was beginning to nurse. As can happen in life, a few days turned into two weeks...
The first week I truly had no good excuse. I've been so resistant to running on the treadmill because I enjoy running outside so much, but the weather has been too wet and the sun goes down before I get home from work, so I wound up not running at all. Slap on the hand for me.
The second week my husband and I became happy owners of a new puppy. He's wonderful and I'm loving every minute (except perhaps those 3am bathroom trips), but it has seriously eaten into my routine. Now that I have a week under my belt I'm ready to start making time for me again. I'm aiming to head to the gym tonight and get a good run in. I only have two Couch to 5K runs left in the program, and I'm anxious to get through them!
I always know when I'm ready for a run when I find myself watching runners in my area with a twinge of envy. I suppose I'm just going to have to tough it out on the treadmill for at least a month until the sun starts setting a bit later.
So, here I go again!
December 14, 2009
December 2, 2009
Davidson Turkey Trot - Race Report
Since I'm taking a few days off from running, I figured I'd write up a race report from my first ever 5K on November 21st. I'm going to try to channel my positive memories of that experience during my dreaded treadmill workout tonight. It's been raining all day but I need to run, so off to the gym I go. Blah.
My race was wonderful overall. I went to bed early the night before, stretched out some soreness in my quads, and took my vitamins. I had a runner's halo over my head as I slept.
I awoke before my alarm went off, around 6:30am. The sun was just starting to peek out, and I could see the sky turning pink behind my blinds. It was going to be a beautiful day to race! I stayed in bed for a little while, feeling slightly panicked about the reality of actually attempting to run 3.1 miles in a couple of hours - in front of other people, no less! What if I couldn't do it? What if everyone laughed at me? Clearly my mind gives up far sooner than my body.
I ate a light but filling breakfast of wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana, along with lots of water. I had dutifully picked out my breakfast the evening before, and began putting together my race day outfit. I couldn't find the shirt I was looking for, so I naively told myself I'd just find it in the morning.
Cut to me tearing around the house like a manic creature 15 minutes before I'm scheduled to leave. Not only could I not find my black moisture-wicking t-shirt, I realized it was going to be way too cold to wear it anyway. Oh and I had yet to buy any cold weather running clothes (darn you North Carolina weather!). In a moment of desperation I threw on a long john-esque shirt I'd recently purchased to wear under a t-shirt from my alma mater, and put a sleeveless running shirt over that. I think I looked moderately ridiculous, but it did the trick. I even accessorized with a fleece headband to keep my ears warm. I wasn't raised in Buffalo for nothing!
I hustled out the door 15 minutes late and walked a mile to the race start, figuring it would be a good warmup. It felt great, and my legs felt fantastic. I had that joyous bounce in my step on the way there, that feeling that your legs just want to run already so stop with all this boring walking! I met up with some friends there before lining up for the big start.
A giant mass had formed at the starting line and people seemed to be milling about. I leisurely put my headphones on and was fiddling with my Couch to 5K iPhone app when suddenly *BANG* the gun went off. I was completely unprepared for that. It was a tiny little local 5K and they actually had a race gun!
I felt great for the first mile or so. Really, really strong. I was running faster than usual for longer, and that race adrenaline is something else. I didn't really believe it when people talked about it, but it is so true. I wish I could bottle that stuff and sip on it during my normal runs!
Around mile one I inexplicably got stomach cramps. Huh?! I ran through the pain, but that seemed to make it worse. Against my wishes I slowed down to walk, and my stomach did feel a little better. I went back up to a run and almost threw up on the side of the road. I was SO upset. All my training and I'm too cramped up to run? I walked with my coworkers for a minute or two, and then sensed that the cramps were dying down. I started to trot and felt pretty good, so I kept up the run. Thank goodness the cramps disappeared after that and I was able to continue.
Just before the halfway point I started to suffer a bit, and mentally struggled. "You can't finish this," I told myself. "You're not strong enough, not fast enough. Just give up now." I pushed through and when I saw the turnaround I got a jolt of energy. I knew that if I could make it to the halfway point then I was most certainly going to finish. I picked up some steam and passed my coworkers for the first time, along with several other people. WHEEEEEEEE.
The rest of the race I would walk for a few seconds here and there, mostly on hills. I probably could have kept running, but I felt like I was in a good place with strong legs and I wanted to keep doing what I was doing.
I caught up to my coworkers and pointed out the finish line in the distance. "Let's do this," I commanded, and off we went, sprinting to the end! Crossing that finish line was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. I did it! It was a moment of great pride for me.
As we walked towards the tables full of bananas and water to refuel, I said to my husband, "I can't wait to do this again!"
My race was wonderful overall. I went to bed early the night before, stretched out some soreness in my quads, and took my vitamins. I had a runner's halo over my head as I slept.
I awoke before my alarm went off, around 6:30am. The sun was just starting to peek out, and I could see the sky turning pink behind my blinds. It was going to be a beautiful day to race! I stayed in bed for a little while, feeling slightly panicked about the reality of actually attempting to run 3.1 miles in a couple of hours - in front of other people, no less! What if I couldn't do it? What if everyone laughed at me? Clearly my mind gives up far sooner than my body.
I ate a light but filling breakfast of wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana, along with lots of water. I had dutifully picked out my breakfast the evening before, and began putting together my race day outfit. I couldn't find the shirt I was looking for, so I naively told myself I'd just find it in the morning.
Cut to me tearing around the house like a manic creature 15 minutes before I'm scheduled to leave. Not only could I not find my black moisture-wicking t-shirt, I realized it was going to be way too cold to wear it anyway. Oh and I had yet to buy any cold weather running clothes (darn you North Carolina weather!). In a moment of desperation I threw on a long john-esque shirt I'd recently purchased to wear under a t-shirt from my alma mater, and put a sleeveless running shirt over that. I think I looked moderately ridiculous, but it did the trick. I even accessorized with a fleece headband to keep my ears warm. I wasn't raised in Buffalo for nothing!
I hustled out the door 15 minutes late and walked a mile to the race start, figuring it would be a good warmup. It felt great, and my legs felt fantastic. I had that joyous bounce in my step on the way there, that feeling that your legs just want to run already so stop with all this boring walking! I met up with some friends there before lining up for the big start.
A giant mass had formed at the starting line and people seemed to be milling about. I leisurely put my headphones on and was fiddling with my Couch to 5K iPhone app when suddenly *BANG* the gun went off. I was completely unprepared for that. It was a tiny little local 5K and they actually had a race gun!
I felt great for the first mile or so. Really, really strong. I was running faster than usual for longer, and that race adrenaline is something else. I didn't really believe it when people talked about it, but it is so true. I wish I could bottle that stuff and sip on it during my normal runs!
Around mile one I inexplicably got stomach cramps. Huh?! I ran through the pain, but that seemed to make it worse. Against my wishes I slowed down to walk, and my stomach did feel a little better. I went back up to a run and almost threw up on the side of the road. I was SO upset. All my training and I'm too cramped up to run? I walked with my coworkers for a minute or two, and then sensed that the cramps were dying down. I started to trot and felt pretty good, so I kept up the run. Thank goodness the cramps disappeared after that and I was able to continue.
Just before the halfway point I started to suffer a bit, and mentally struggled. "You can't finish this," I told myself. "You're not strong enough, not fast enough. Just give up now." I pushed through and when I saw the turnaround I got a jolt of energy. I knew that if I could make it to the halfway point then I was most certainly going to finish. I picked up some steam and passed my coworkers for the first time, along with several other people. WHEEEEEEEE.
The rest of the race I would walk for a few seconds here and there, mostly on hills. I probably could have kept running, but I felt like I was in a good place with strong legs and I wanted to keep doing what I was doing.
I caught up to my coworkers and pointed out the finish line in the distance. "Let's do this," I commanded, and off we went, sprinting to the end! Crossing that finish line was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. I did it! It was a moment of great pride for me.
As we walked towards the tables full of bananas and water to refuel, I said to my husband, "I can't wait to do this again!"
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