My First 5K

Last night, I got very little sleep. I'm not sure why I was so nervous and anxious, but I was. Up until today, I had been referring to the run today as a practice and the first "real" 5k would be on the 19th. However, as I thought more and more about it, the bottom line was that today was, in all actuality, the first REAL 5k.

I got my bib last night when Steve got home from work and it was real. The funny part, is that I've never run a 5k and I had no idea how the bibs worked. I had to Google how to put the bib on because I assumed it was like a sticker... nope.

I received a lot of suggestions from friends on Facebook and one was to not forget the chaffing stick/Vasoline. Thankfully, Steve was thoughtful and already got some for us. I was set in that department.

This morning I woke up feeling jittery. I got in the shower and tried to mentally plan things out and I was conflicted about which of my training days to use. Should I use week 5 day 2 (the day that I'm on) or skip to week 5 day 3 where you run for 20 straight minutes? Decisions decisions.

We were on the road by 6:30am and arrived at Emory right at 7:15. It gave us about 15 minutes to park and head to the field where Steve's work was gathering for their group picture.

Here's where things went drastically bad. I assumed (wrongfully) that the event was going to be flat and it was throughout Emory's campus, which is full of hills. MONSTER hills. I was a bit panicked when I realized this.

From walking from the car to the field, I was tired from going uphill. How the eff was I going to run the 5k when I was exhausted before it even started?!?!

Steve's coworkers gathered and they got their group picture.

We headed to the starting line at 8:30 and then it started and we were still standing there. And then several minutes passed and we were still standing there. I was faced with something that I had not counted on... all the people and all the walkers.

 Ready to run!

 My serious face

SO. MANY. PEOPLE.

My five minute warm-up was over and I couldn't run because I was stuck behind a ton of walkers. It was so frustrating. Then we got to the bottom of the hill and turned the corner and I was able to start running.

Awesome.

Then I stopped again. Not awesome.

I could not get my pace because I was met with a constant start/stop due to people being in the way and taking up the entire road.

I passed Steve and the boys and started off and then got stuck and they caught back up to me. Then there was a MONSTER hill and I slowed down... way down and they kept going.

From that point on, I felt like it was a losing battle. I was so tired and the hills were exhausting. I would run when I hit the top of the hill and run until it was back down to the bottom. But it was so hard.

I don't know how I did it, but I made it to the first mile.

As you can see, it's a pretty flat area and I was running on the sidewalk so I could pass the walkers. I was good for a while and hit the first water station (at the 1/2 way point). It was perfect timing and exactly what I needed. I kept on going.

 
Then the course went into the back side of campus and down Greek row. There were several fraternities out on their lawns cheering for the runners, which was nice. I had my headphones in the whole time, but I could hear them as I ran past. I was pretty far behind Steve and felt like I was probably in the middle of the walking herd. I wanted to break out, but just after the water station, my left foot started to go numb.

I don't know if I pinched a nerve or what, but the numbness went from my foot, up my left and into my knee. It was so scary to not be able to feel my foot and it scared me from running too much because I was afraid I'd step wrong and sprain my ankle.

It was about that point that I started to feel a lot of doubt. I hurt and I was tired and I was disappointed that my first run wasn't a run but more of a walk. My C25K app ended and it said I did 1.86 miles, walked 0.93 at a 18:58 pace and then ran 0.94 for a 17:02 pace. Overall, it's not horrible considering that it was all hilly and I wasn't following it like I normally do.

I think the worst part of the course was past mile two. It was nice and shaded, relatively flat and then it came around the corner and it was back to the same part as the beginning... and straight up hill. For the last almost mile, it was up hill the entire time. I really had to find internal motivation and strength and kept saying, "Unicorns and rainbows..." as I was running.

When I hit mile three, I knew I was close (a 5k is 3.1 miles). I was determined to run across the finish line. Back at mile two, Steve and I were texting each other and he knew I was not in front of him, as he assumed, but waaaaaaaaay behind him. He sent me motivating texts that got me through the rough part.

At mile three, I could see the finish line. The runners that had finished were gathering on the side to cheer on the people coming after them and I don't even know what came over me. Seriously. It was the most surreal experience of my life.

I hit a stride that was strong, and I was giving it my all, and I felt like I was going to throw up, burst into tears, and explode all at once. I think it was an adrelanine spike... but it was crazy. I crossed the finish line just at an hour.

I ran and walked for an hour. HOLY COW.

When Steve found me, I couldn't even contain myself and I burst into tears. I was sobbing. I couldn't talk, couldn't really move, and just cried. I was disoriented and felt so overwhelmed with emotion. I immediately had to pee (that feeling passed), and I couldn't even focus on anything. When I asked him if he got a picture of me crossing the finish line, he admitted that he was not able to capture it.

 
So I sat down and drank some water and then decided that I wanted pictures of me crossing the line. We decided to recreate the moment... so I went back onto the course and he had his camera ready, and we recreated the moment.

Then we headed to the field and gathered back with his group from work.

I am so proud of myself for finishing. It was the hardest thing, physically, that I've ever done. Parts of me were hearing, "Suck it up, it's ONLY 5k" and then other parts were like, "Dude... this time last month you couldn't even run for a minute..." so it was good.

We headed home and had lunch and then took a nap. My legs are sore and tired, but I was able to stretch in the shower before my nap and I think it helped. 

I am thankful that have my first 5k under my belt and have so much respect for people who run long distances on a usual basis.

The craziest thing to me, was that it took 3 minutes to get to the starting line... then about 15 minutes to get to the bottom of the first hill (because of all the people). The first place runner... finished the race in 17 minutes. So they were finishing the entire thing, when I was just getting to the bottom of the first hill. It's an incredible thing to think about.

I got some awesome support from my cousin Jessica as I was running. She sent me texts before I ran and then I got a few while I was running and some after. She is so supportive. My friends on FB posted some really awesome things and really made me feel loved. I really am blessed to have such supportive people in my life.

Here's what I learned:

• I want to get the phone holder thingy so I don't have to hold my phone as I run
• I want to get a runner's belt that has the bib clip and water bottle holder
• I don't think 5k's are all that they're cracked up to be. I hated not being able to run when I wanted/needed to run and being forced to start and stop around walkers
• The cheering stations along the course... are SO IMPORTANT!!! If you know a runner, take the time to go out and support them!!!
• I can and DID complete my race-- that's all that matters!!!

 

Back on the Horse

There are a couple of things that happened today before/during my run. I'd like to share.


1) I woke up numerous times last night (I was literally tossing and turning) because I was trying to decide if I was actually going to get up and run or not. When I had decided that I would, indeed run, I then had to think of my route.


2) When 5:20 arrived, I was in a DEEP sleep cycle and did NOT want to wake up. This is what kept going though my head (seriously):

So I got myself up and stretched and then headed out the door. The minute I stepped outside, I felt a raindrop. I had just mustered up motivation to run (it's been over a week since my last run), so I wasn't about to go back inside. However... I had no idea that I was about to embark on a run that would be 90% in the rain.


3) I learned that I DO enjoy running in the rain. It's actually kinda nice to have the rain to cool me off while I'm sweating and hot. What I DON'T like is running in the rain for the majority of my run, and then having it stop raining and become REALLY humid and hot for the last portion of my run.


4) I chose a new route today. I didn't think it through and I never even drove it to see if it'd be do-able. I just decided to go for it. Which, normally would be great. Today, was just stupid on my part.


5) I also started (unbeknown to myself) the DREADED week four of C25K. This takes you from running three minutes, to running FIVE minutes. It felt like I was running longer than usual, but I didn't intend on doing this week yet. I wanted to do another round of week three.


6) I RAN FIVE MINUTES. I didn't stop. 

7) My new route took me out to Sargent and then it was flat for about a second and then it went downhill. It took me five minutes of running and I was still running downhill (yes, it's a MONSTER hill). So I was doing great and feeling pumped... until I had to start running uphill. The uphill part wasn't too bad on Sargent. I tuned into my sub's other entrance, and it was flat for a bit so it was good.


8) Then it stopped raining. 


9) It was ALL uphill from that point to my house.


10) I was not prepared for such an incline and so much uphill running. I'm still very out of shape and carrying a LOT of extra weight... it was really hard. I had to stop because my heart monitor watch started beeping at me (it alarms me when my heart-rate is too high). I don't want to stroke-out or have a heart-attack, so I stopped running and walked.


Now, let's be real. My walking was really no slower/faster than my running at this point. LOL. But I was able to bring my heart rate back down to a normal range.


I stopped my run at 1.35 miles and didn't finish the 5 minute cool-down. I was out of space and didn't want to go a little only to turn around.


11) I realized how much I really enjoy the Greenway for running. Running through my neighborhood will have to do until the fall when it's cooler, but once we're back in cooler temps, I fully intend on going back to running around 8/9 am at the Greenway with Gus.


Before I cut my run off short-- I was averaging a 17.45 minute mile. My fastest yet!! I believe in the running world, this is called a PB. :-)

So now I'm done and just finished eating a whole wheat bagel and some strawberries. I'm ready to get in the shower and then Gus and I have morning plans at a sunflower farm!! My parents should be here in about 10 hours or so and I'm glad my morning run is over. It's going to be a high of 103 here today!!!

Tired!!

This morning when Steve woke me, I was in a DEEP sleep. I did NOT want to wake up. He said, "Do you want to get up and run?" I said, "NO." He then said, "Are you going to get up and run?" With that, I got up and got myself ready and headed out the door.


I used Songza today and I was so glad that I did. Not only did it save me from having to shuffle through my iPod, but there's a station specifically for exercising and the music was incredible. I didn't fastforward once and found myself really motivated to keep going because of my music.


My run wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either. My calves and shins were on fire today. And if that wasn't bad enough, I found myself in desperate need of a bathroom... and I was only 1/2 way done. So instead of focusing on my surroundings and trying to enjoy my run, I was trying my best not to go while running. 


NO.
FUN.

I think I might go back to trying MWF for working out. I might run Monday and Friday and then walk on Wednesday, or do something around the house-- but going from Tuesday to Friday was almost too much time off. I weigh-in today, and I don't want to be too disappointed. 


I don't think I posted it on this blog, but my Charlotte Color Run date was announced and it's the Saturday that we're at Disney. I can't even begin to say how totally disappointed I was. Not just because I really wanted to do The Color Run, but because my dad and two cousins were going to be meeting us in Charlotte, AND Steve even said he'd maybe run it with me. 


Yes, there are other 5ks. Yes, I will keep training and will be running one this fall (that's my goal). But Charlotte was going to be special because it was going to be a meeting spot for us (me and Steve and Gus from ATL, Jes and my dad from MI and Mary from DC). Now we're trying to figure out a plan B.


I'm hoping that when my brother knows when he'll be in MI (he's in DC currently), we can find a 5k and my dad and Jes and I can do it together, and maybe Mary will be able to come up for it too. It's just hard because we can't come up to MI more than once this fall. And the main reason we're going to MI is to spend the week with Dave and the kids and Scott and his family. It'll be the first time in YEARS that we'll all be in MI at the same time for more than a day. I'm excited about it.


So... yes I ran today. I'm tired right now. It was hot today (already 70 when I started at 5:30) and I am a sweaty, stinky mess. I've got to get in the shower. Have a good weekend and I'll be back Monday or Tuesday. I haven't decided if I'm for sure doing MWF again (Monday is garbage day around here and it's GROSS to be running through the neighborhood and smelling hot garbage).

I Did It!

Seriously.

If I had known last night that I'd be getting up at 5:15 to prepare for a run, I would have come to bed at 9:30 instead of at 11:30.

I had no intentions of running today. After all, it IS Tuesday and those of you who know me well, know that I run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. So when I woke at 5am to use the bathroom, I was certain that it was 2 or even 3 am, but it was 5.

Hmmmm.

So I crawled back into bed and ran over various thoughts, and decided to prepare myself mentally to go run. Toady was going to be the start of my new week on C25K and as eager as I was to test it out and see how it felt, it was a bit scary too. Could I really run for three straight minutes? And could I do it twice???

Steve got up at 5:20 and I took that as my cue. As he was getting into the shower, I stepped out the front door. No turning back.

It was DARK. I mean, REALLY dark. We live in a very safe place, so I wasn't worried about safety at all, but the encompassing darkness sent my senses reeling.

Today was full of a lot of firsts for me:

• First time running at 5:30am
• First time running in my neighborhood (with LOTS of hills-- versus the flat greenway)
• First time running in the dark
• First time running with music (YAY)
• First time doing week 3 of the C25K program
• First time running ALONE. COMPLETELY alone.

That's a lot of firsts for one run don't you think? 

I have to say, I love running with Pilar and Christy, but there was something wonderful about running by myself. I thoroughly enjoyed my music and letting the beat of my songs motivate me to run faster (and I do believe I ran faster today). I also didn't have to push a stroller AND a squirmy 30 pound toddler!

While I was running in the dark, a strange sense of calm came over me. I said a prayer before starting out this morning, and asked God to help make this a good run for me. There's nothing worse than a bad run and feeling like you've got legs like cement and no strength and no motivation.

Today was good. I really enjoyed myself (weird right???). I could hear my dad asking me, "Did you run today?" and having to answer him. Sometimes the pressure is a lot to deal with, but I am so grateful for all the people that keep me accountable, AND encourage and motivate me.

There's no way I'm going to do a 5K if I don't train for it. There's no way I'm going to lose weight, if I don't move my body. So getting out and actually moving isn't an option, I simply MUST stay focused and must stay determined. With family and friends taking a keen interest in my running, it's helped tremendously.

SO back to me and my run...  ;-)

I really liked this week's training. I started with the five minute walk (it's standard for every week of the program) and by the time I got to the sidewalk around the corner, I was breathing really heavy (I had to go uphill to get to the sidewalk). Then I walked downhill to Sargent road. 

Now... I had previously mapped out my run (not very well apparently), and throught if I made it all so the uphill was at the beginning, it'd be perfect to end with going downhill. Perfect logic right??

Well... my logic was correct, but my speed and timing was not so great. It took the five minute warm-up to reach Sargent and I headed toward Jones Bridge Road. I passed one runner, but other than that, the road was very empty and I was alone with the darkness. It was interesting.

The stretch along Sargent is relatively flat and even, and I was able to do my 1.5 minute run, 1.5 minute walk, and 3 minute run. I finished the run as I approached my turn and then it was uphill for a bit, but I was in the 3 minute walk part. Here's where the problem happened.

I was almost home.

So... I was 1/2 done with my run and almost home. No bueno.

I decided to turn around, and go back the way I came. Which would have been great, if it weren't for the damn hills. LOL

So I started my next 1.5 minute run and then 1.5 minute walk and I was back on Sargent for my 3 minute run. I reached the entrance to my sub and still had a 3 minute walk to complete and the 5 minute cool-down walk. I didn't think I'd have enough pavement to complete my run, and I wouldn't have, if it weren't for the damn hills.

Holy smokes. My three minute walk at the end was all uphill and what took two minutes to walk down, took the full three minutes to walk up and another two minutes of my cool-down. It was, in a word, a BITCH.

I had a downhill walk to my street, and then as my street curves to my house, there's a gradual incline. Not much if you're in a car, but when you're at the end of a run, it was almost a killer. Then the cherry on top is the steepness of my driveway. I had to mentally push myself as I took each step up my driveway-- it was rough!!

I completed just under a mile and a half and didn't skimp AT ALL on my running times. I am SO proud of myself. I was a sweaty beast when I was done, but I finished it and at 6:10 I was sitting down with Steve and enjoying a bowl of Cheerios. 

So my run for the day is done and I feel great. It's 7:14 and I've showered, I'm blogging, Gus is still sleeping, and my day has started. It's awesome.

For as hard as it was to wake at 5am to run, I'm so glad that I did. I'm definitely a fan of running without pushing the stroller and having to worry about Gus. Running this morning was "me time" and I really enjoyed being at one with myself and just taking in all the sights around me. I didn't have to talk to anyone, and I was able to just focus on my breathing.

Today I burned 451 calories. My max heart rate was 167 and my average was 126. I was "in the zone" for 25 minutes (I ran for 30). I'm impressed!

I'm eager to do nothing for the rest of the day and lounge around in my comfy clothes.

It's fine... I ran today.

:-)