Freeze Your Fanny = PR!!

Yesterday I ran in a little 5K run called "Freeze your Fanny".  This was a run I signed up for to help keep me motivated in the month of January. 

I was ready to get to the run since I'm feeling more and more confident with my running as the days go by.  A year ago my thoughts would have been..."will I be able to finish the run without stopping?".  Now my thoughts are...."What will my goal be and how will I push myself as a runner today?".

My husband came with me to this race, but he decided to take a little nap until it was time for me to cross the finish line.  He was up the night before, working.  So I couldn't get annoyed or upset with him.  I was just glad that he came with me. I left the hubby in the car and headed off to check-in.

I was excited to see my new T-shirt (see above). I'm definitely getting a collection of shirts from all these races and my drawer is over-flowing, but I see the shirts as rewards and mementos of my hard work :) 

Right before the race started, my friend Laura G arrived.  I was happy to see her.  I will take every little bit of support that I can get!!  I told Laura that my goal time was 36 minutes, so she could keep an eye out for me.

When the race started, I took off with a fairly quick pace.  My Garmin was telling me "Ahead of Pace" and I made the decision to go for it!  I was only running 3.2 miles, so I didn't really have to save energy or anything.  My new goal was to run my little heard out.  Run Denise Run!!!  If my Garmin said "On Pace"....pick it up Denise!!  You can rest when you are done!

At the end of mile 1, my Garmin beeped at me.  I looked down and guess what???  My first mile was finished in 10:16.  Do you know how fast that is for me???  I was so happy :)

At the end of mile 2, my Garmin beeped at me again.  I looked down and it told me that my second mile was completed in 11:02.  I had slowed down a bit, but I was still booking it!!

I only had 1.2 miles left to go....cake!!!  I set my sights on this woman in front of me.  "Kick it into gear Denise...you can pass her!!"  So that is what I did....I caught her and I passed her....awesome!

I was nearing the finish line and I could see the cones.  The adrenaline was pumping.  I was so happy with this race.  I could see Laura and her husband Bill.  They were cheering me on :)

I finished....with a personal record for myself!  Laura said to me..."You are early!"  Love it!

This is what I saw on my watch at the end of the race:

AMAZING!!!

In the words of my friend Kerri....."My fanny was on FIRE!"

I found the official race results today.  My time was 33:37.  I was the 95th person to cross the finish line out of 141 people.  I was also 9th out of 13 in my age group.

When I look back, 10 months ago I started this "running thing" with a 5K time of 41:38.  I have shaved off 8 minutes.  So happy!!

Stronger, Faster, Better!

This last week has been a little slow for my training plan.  I went for a run on an indoor track and ended up running only 2.5 miles.  I had minimal motivation and it's a little intimidating when all the college students are literally running laps around me.  I felt slow and like a complete amateur.

I looked at the calendar today.  I have 6 weeks until my 2nd half marathon.  Ummm....hello?  6 weeks is not very much time.  I need to kick IT into gear!! 

Keeping my motivation is key.  I think I'm a little more nervous for 13.1 miles this time around.  Before my first half, I didn't truly know what to expect.  BUT....now I know what I'm getting myself into.  And guess what?  I'm ready and willing to do it again! :)

Today is beautiful outside.  The sun is shining and it's "warm" (32 degrees).  I went out for a great run with a goal of at least 5 miles.  I settled for completing 4.7 and feel really good. 

This is what I discovered after I finished my run today:

• Even though the college students make me feel slow, I'm getting faster.  My fastest mile today was 11:22.
• I ran my fastest 5K split ever!  36:49
• I enjoy running outside way more than running in circles around the indoor track
• My average mile today was 11:55.

I'm getting stronger!  I'm getting faster!  AND....running makes me BETTER!!!

P.S.  I think I'm going to make The Bionic Woman my new idol.  When I was a kid, I used to think that Jamie Summers was so amazing!  Have you seen how fast she can run??? ;)

Running as Therapy

I've been told that 30 minutes of running has the same effect on your brain as an anti-depressant.  I choose to believe this is true.  This week has been rough for me emotionally, and I really needed something to change my mood.

I think the quote above, says it all.......Today I am STRONG!

I went out for a little run this afternoon.  It wasn't really important how far, I just needed to get outside and run.  I ended up running 2.63 miles in 32 minutes.  I'm slowly getting faster...yay!

The temperature was 22 degrees, there was plenty of snow on the ground, and more falling from the sky.  Beautiful :)  I think I'm starting to adapt to the colder weather.  The temp didn't bother me and running in my Yaktrax is fun!  

Here is what my tracks look like. Pretty cool, huh?

   

I've stopped running with my head phones for now.  I like hearing the sounds around me and taking the time to just be with my thoughts.  Therapeutic for sure!!

 

 

End of my run with a smile on my face!!

 

Recap of last week's running:

January 5th - 3 miles in 37 minutes (outside)

January 9th - 2 miles in 20 minutes (inside track...I think I run faster on that track, weird)

January 12th - 2.63 miles in 32 minutes (outside)

 

Planning to run with Chris O. again tomorrow.  The goal will be a longer run of about 7 miles.  Wish me luck!

 

 

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

January 1, 2013

Happy New Year!!!  I know I'm a little bit slow about creating this New Year's post, but at least I'm doing it now :)

The picture above was taken shortly after I finished my 6 mile, New Year's Day run.  My friend and running buddy, Chris O. and I decided that there was no better way to start off the new year.  As you can see, we still have snow on the ground and it was a balmy 25 degrees.  We didn't care though....it was fun!

Ok, so some of you may be thinking that the definition of "fun" probably doesn't include a 6 mile run in freezing cold temperatures.  As I look back at 2012, I realize that 12 months ago, I didn't think that any type of running would ever be fun either.  How things have changed!!

Here is a list of my running accomplishments from 2012:

• March - started running, cold turkey! Finished the Campus on the Run 5K
• April - Finished my leg of the 100K relay and cheered the rest of my team on during the race; Finished the Seaport River Run 10K
• May - Began training for my first half marathon
• June - Finished the St. Joe River Half Marathon (13.1 miles....OMG!!! I ran the entire way)
• August - Finished the Lentil Festival 5K
• October - Finished the Care to Share 10K; Completed the Run for your Life 5K
• November - Finished a Turkey Trot (4 miles); Began a 500 mile goal (November 1, 2012 - October 31, 2013)
• December - Finished the Santa on the Run (3 miles)

So, looking back, in 9 months I finished 9 races and logged countless miles....amazing!!  I never knew I was capable or would enjoy it.  Look at me now!!

Also during this past year, I've learned how important the right equipment is when it comes to running.  Actually....if you had asked me about running gear a year ago, I probably would have just said....shoes?  I've been slowly collecting the right gear and enjoying my new toys.  I love my shoes, bras (very important), tank tops, dry fit shirts, knee braces, shorts, pants (warm and cold weather), jacket, socks, yaktrax, and my really cool running watch!

Ok, now looking forward to 2013, I've set a few goals already.  I'm sure more will come along as the year progresses, but here is what I have so far:

1. Complete my 500 mile goal.  So far I have 53.4 of 500 done!  I'm on my way.
2. Sign up and run at least one race each month....so doing the math, that is 12 races in 2013 ;)  I'm ready to run another 5K on January 26th....that will be cake!
3. Within those 12 races, finish at least 2 half marathons.  I'm already signed up for the Snake River Half Marathon on March 2nd and I plan to run the half in St. Maries again in June.  We'll see if a 3rd will be in my future this Fall.
4. Continue to motivate myself and be a cheerleader for my friends.....Kerri, Chris O., Jake and I will be at the half marathon together.  That will be cool!
5. Keep a consistent running schedule of 3 days per week....2 short runs and 1 long run.

 

Special people in my life, who make me happy and support my running (some in-person and some in- spirit):  Dan, my boys, Chris O., Kerri, Nancy, Chris W., my Mom, Carrie, Erin C., Greg, Richie, Wakana, Erin K., Christine, Laura G, Mary, Farah, and Jody.....thanks guys!!!