Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Run, Forrest, Run!

So, I mentioned in a previous post that I was training for a 5K. Well, it's been a while since then and I've got QUITE the update...

1) I ran my 1st 5K ever on November 3rd. I actually survived and kept running without stopping. Going into the race, my goal was to finish in under 40 minutes.....try 39:13! Not too shabby for my 1st race! And on top of that, I met two new running buddies, Amy and Kim. They both have kids around the same age as my son and they're both super inspirational to me. Amy is training for a half marathon and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her that she gets selected for the Nike Half in D.C. Kim is training for a full marathon. Both of them have been supportive of me and me getting into running. Every time I post a run via Charity Miles onto Facebook or post something regarding running, they're ALWAYS the first two to "like" my post. They both rock!

2) 5K race #2 came 2 weeks later. It was a Turkey Trot my the local high school. Kim ran this race with me. Unfortunately, this race didn't end as well as my first one. This particular race had a bunch of high school students that can run like the freaking wind. And the path wasn't marked well. I know, I know. Excuses. I was in a bad mind space during my run, but I kept trucking. Then around the 2.5 miles mark, my son, being the adorable litle cheerleader he is, ran out in front of me while I was running. That put me to a screeching halt. Didn't finish. Kind of a bummer too, because my hubby was tracking my time and I was kicking ass and taking names!

3) 5K #3 came on Thanksgiving Day. I ran the Feaster Five while visiting family in MA. This race was NO JOKE. Over 10,000 runners. And freaking Boston area race legends like Joan Benoit Samuelson, Bill Rodgers, and Dick Hoyt. AND a huge MFing hill on the 1st mile. Well, silly me hate a solid amount of oatmeal, and drank 2 glasses of OJ and a cup of coffee. Around the halfway point, I started feeling like I was going to hurl. Now running with 10,000 other people, there really isn't a good place to, you know, pull over and hurl. So I had to stop and walk for about a half mile. But I finished in 37:53, despite the walking, the MASSIVE hill, and trying to dodge bullets of people.

4) Last weekend's 5K race. It was my favorite race of all. It was a small group of runners, all friendly and in the holiday spirit. Heck, there was a runner dressed as an elf, pointy ears and all. Even Santa Claus walked the race route. The course route was nice, smooth, and mostly flat. But once again I made the rookie mistake of eating a big old bowl of oatmeal and drinking a vat of coffee before the race. Around mile 2 I started feeling pukish again. Had to walk for about a quarter mile. But I finished strong and came in with a personal best time! 34:35 baby! And....I got a medal! WOO HOO!

5) On my last run, I ran for 4.5 miles straight. In under an hour. HOLY BALLS. Definitely an accomplishment from someone who could barely run for 5 minutes a couple months ago.

6) I've got another 5K this Saturday and I get to reunite with my new running buddies! And breakfast will be looking more like a banana or granola bar and NO coffee. I'm so gonna kick ass and take names.

So after all these 5Ks, I'm ready to take it to the next level. I've got a 10K race on December 30th. In a vineyard. And your ass had better believe I'm drinking some vino at the end of that sucker! And I'm signing up for a half marathon at the end of April. And....wait for it....wait for it...I'm going to train for the motherload. And not just ANY marathon. THE BOSTON MARATHON BABY! It's not until April 2014, so I might sneak in another half or full marathon between my half this upcoming April. But   Boston is no joke. Can you say Heartbreak Hill? Seriously, Google it. Now. I feel so ready to train and get my booty out there hitting the pavement. I feel embraced by the little running community I've met so far. Alright kids. It's on. Like Donkey Kong.

4 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a lot of running!!! So proud of you and thank you sharing your blog!

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  2. You are a running machine! My first 5k I finished in 39 minutes too.

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  3. Angela I'm so effin proud of you girl! You inspire me each and every day to train harder, push harder and be the very best I can be. Thank you for a wonderful blog! I can't wait for your next post!

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