Yikes, not just two, but three races have come and gone! I know, I know, I'm slipping again. Ah well, in a nutshell, here we go:
4/18/09 - Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K: A respectable race, started later in the morning and it was a humid day, so that equals...CHALLENGE! The other challenges were the amount of people (somewhere around 1200) and the narrowness of the streets. The start was a little convoluted, but off we went, with the faster runners jockeying for position and weaving in and out. There were a lot of slower runners/walkers/people with dogs/people with strollers than any race I'd done prior to this, so that slowed me down through the first 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile. That being said, one more fun part to this race...yep, you guessed it..the HILLS! lol And there was even a hill right before the finish (great thinking, that). Every time you got to the top of one hill, you could see there was another ahead. Enough with the challenges already! lol Finish I did, my watch time had me at 34:49, clock time was a full minute faster. Guess which one I'll use here? LOL I felt good though, didn't stray from my previous time too much!
5/9/09 - Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K: What an inspirational event to take part in. There would be no running at this one, I walked with a good friend of mine, her sister, and her mom. The sheer number of people taking part was awe-inspiring. Seeing the survivors was even better! There was easily well over 15,000 people out there running/walking the 5K. I'm looking forward to doing this one again and again and again!
5/16/09 - South Fulton 5K: This was the inaugural race, but pretty well organized over all. Not a lot of people, but a respectable number nonetheless for the cause promoted (proceeds went to a women and children's shelter). It was cute to see the little kids do the 1 mile fun run before the 5K. Then it was our turn, nothing like being told the course while waiting at the start line lol. I felt a bit off, was hoping to get under 35:00, but knew it would depend on my endurance and the course itself. First mile went pretty well, but the hills in miles 2 and 3 were a little more than I could take since I hadn't started out feeling 100%. But press on we must! We were lucky enough to have a flat finish after a downhill run, and I used that to my advantage, built up the momentum running downhill, then shot myself around the corner to the finish line. 35:45 YES! At least my pace didn't suffer. What was the kicker? I took 2nd place in my age group!!!! No more Smart A** remarks like "what age group is that? 70+??" lol I got that from a few people Monday morning.
Now I really want to work on my time. I never knew I'd start racing myself!
Next races:
6/20/09 - Blake Gammill 10.5K Douglasville, GA
7/4/09 - Peachtree Road Race 10K Atlanta, GA
Hmmm, those are both 10K's, is this a new trend?????
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
OMG!
Just checked my chip time from the 5K on Saturday, and it shows I did that race in 35:47! HOLY CRAP!!!! THREE minutes off my time from 3/1/09???? WOOOO! I'll take it!!!
Upcoming races:
4/18/09 Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K Road Race - Atlanta, GA
7/4/09 Peachtree Road Race 10K - Atlanta, GA
Upcoming races:
4/18/09 Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K Road Race - Atlanta, GA
7/4/09 Peachtree Road Race 10K - Atlanta, GA
Sunday, March 29, 2009
March races are DONE!
OK, guess I'm slipping here. Time to fill in about the 10K and the last 5K.
The 10K - Where to start, the beginning, duh! The morning dawned chilly and rainy, but I said I was going to run it, so off I went. Since this was the ShamRock 'N Roll 5K and 10K, there were plenty o' Irish Eyes A-Smilin'. And quite a few kilts too (thought those were more Scottish than Irish...); anywho, I'd already picked up my race packet the day before, so no need to stand in line once I got there. All I had to do was pin the number on and wait til they herded us over to the starting line. The 5K started first, so we had to stay out of their way when the first few were heading for the finish line. I've no illusions about running, I don't see myself completing 3 miles in under 20 minutes anytime in the foreseeable future lol. So 8:30 rolled around and we were off! A few hundred of us idiots out running in the rain around Atlantic Station in Atlanta on a Sunday morning. And, oh what fun! Hills! Right around the first corner, oh happy day! 3, count 'em, THREE! hills in the first 2 miles, I could've stopped right there. But I didn't, I kept on going, slowing when I needed to, and running when I could. The best part? I got to run those hills, TWICE! I know, I know, I could barely contain my excitement either. This was a 5K loop that those of us hardier (read: stupid) souls running the 10K had to run twice. All well and good, but that last hill on the second round almost got me; but there was no way I was giving in then. I was too close to finishing. And finish I did, a fairly respectable 1 hr 18 minutes and 19 seconds. Now I know there are people that ran the ING Georgia Marathon in less time than that (26.2 miles in less time that it took me to do 6?!?!?!? Holy crap!), but damnit, this was my first 10K, and I am PROUD that I finished! Besides, I was one of the lucky 45,000 able to register online for the Peachtree Roadrace (10K on July 4th) that same day. Yes, I said 45,000! There'll be close to 60,000 by the time all the paper registrations are in, stay tuned for that carnival!
The 5K - Oh joy, another race IN THE RAIN! Serves me right for registering for races in March in Atlanta. I tell you, leading up to this race, my head was saying there was no freakin' way I was going to run in the rain AGAIN. But I knew, deep down, I would; apparently I'm a glutton that way, as quite a few people have pointed out to me (they shall remain nameless, unless they give voice to their snickers in the comments section). So once again, after making sure that the severe weather forecasted wasn't anywhere near the vicinity of the race, I was off. Got to Grant Park about 10 til 9, and the rain was coming down steadily. Great. Ah well, I was sort of prepared for it, as much as one can be knowing they're going to be running 3.1 miles in the rain. Picked up my race number, pinned it on, attached the cute little timing chip to my shoe and headed over to the starting line. And another group of a couple hundred idiots out running in the rain. This wasn't too bad, a few hills, but we were running inside the park for most of it. My time splits let me know I was doing better than I had before, well, at least by mile 2. I did the first two miles in 23:47, which was a first for me. So I pretty much knew I'd come in under the 38:49 I did in Seaside back on the 1st. By how much I wasn't certain, until I made it up that last hill and hit the downward slope and curve around to the finish line and saw the clock at 36 minutes. So what was it when I crossed? 36:11! I would've fallen over if I wasn't still sprinting! Holy crap! I shaved 2 1/2 minutes off my time in 3 weeks! I was NOT expecting that, but I'll take it! WOOO HOOOOO! Yeah! Now I KNOW I can get under 35 minutes by the end of May...I just have to register for another race...or two...or three...or...
As for now, only one scheduled:
7/4/09 - Peachtree Road Race 10K - Atlanta, GA
***Update
4/18/09 - Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K Road Race - Atlanta, GA
The 10K - Where to start, the beginning, duh! The morning dawned chilly and rainy, but I said I was going to run it, so off I went. Since this was the ShamRock 'N Roll 5K and 10K, there were plenty o' Irish Eyes A-Smilin'. And quite a few kilts too (thought those were more Scottish than Irish...); anywho, I'd already picked up my race packet the day before, so no need to stand in line once I got there. All I had to do was pin the number on and wait til they herded us over to the starting line. The 5K started first, so we had to stay out of their way when the first few were heading for the finish line. I've no illusions about running, I don't see myself completing 3 miles in under 20 minutes anytime in the foreseeable future lol. So 8:30 rolled around and we were off! A few hundred of us idiots out running in the rain around Atlantic Station in Atlanta on a Sunday morning. And, oh what fun! Hills! Right around the first corner, oh happy day! 3, count 'em, THREE! hills in the first 2 miles, I could've stopped right there. But I didn't, I kept on going, slowing when I needed to, and running when I could. The best part? I got to run those hills, TWICE! I know, I know, I could barely contain my excitement either. This was a 5K loop that those of us hardier (read: stupid) souls running the 10K had to run twice. All well and good, but that last hill on the second round almost got me; but there was no way I was giving in then. I was too close to finishing. And finish I did, a fairly respectable 1 hr 18 minutes and 19 seconds. Now I know there are people that ran the ING Georgia Marathon in less time than that (26.2 miles in less time that it took me to do 6?!?!?!? Holy crap!), but damnit, this was my first 10K, and I am PROUD that I finished! Besides, I was one of the lucky 45,000 able to register online for the Peachtree Roadrace (10K on July 4th) that same day. Yes, I said 45,000! There'll be close to 60,000 by the time all the paper registrations are in, stay tuned for that carnival!
The 5K - Oh joy, another race IN THE RAIN! Serves me right for registering for races in March in Atlanta. I tell you, leading up to this race, my head was saying there was no freakin' way I was going to run in the rain AGAIN. But I knew, deep down, I would; apparently I'm a glutton that way, as quite a few people have pointed out to me (they shall remain nameless, unless they give voice to their snickers in the comments section). So once again, after making sure that the severe weather forecasted wasn't anywhere near the vicinity of the race, I was off. Got to Grant Park about 10 til 9, and the rain was coming down steadily. Great. Ah well, I was sort of prepared for it, as much as one can be knowing they're going to be running 3.1 miles in the rain. Picked up my race number, pinned it on, attached the cute little timing chip to my shoe and headed over to the starting line. And another group of a couple hundred idiots out running in the rain. This wasn't too bad, a few hills, but we were running inside the park for most of it. My time splits let me know I was doing better than I had before, well, at least by mile 2. I did the first two miles in 23:47, which was a first for me. So I pretty much knew I'd come in under the 38:49 I did in Seaside back on the 1st. By how much I wasn't certain, until I made it up that last hill and hit the downward slope and curve around to the finish line and saw the clock at 36 minutes. So what was it when I crossed? 36:11! I would've fallen over if I wasn't still sprinting! Holy crap! I shaved 2 1/2 minutes off my time in 3 weeks! I was NOT expecting that, but I'll take it! WOOO HOOOOO! Yeah! Now I KNOW I can get under 35 minutes by the end of May...I just have to register for another race...or two...or three...or...
As for now, only one scheduled:
7/4/09 - Peachtree Road Race 10K - Atlanta, GA
***Update
4/18/09 - Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K Road Race - Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Seaside has come and gone
What a great time! The drive down was...interesting. Torrential downpours from Georgia into Alabama, finally cleared up about an hour north of the Florida border. It was beautiful once we got there though. A little windy but the temperature was just about perfect. We were lucky enough to have Saturday to play on the beach and drive around (no swimming in the Gulf, conditions were too windy).
Sunday morning dawned windy and cold! Temp was 38 with a windchill of 29, ON THE BEACH! IN FLORIDA! So we dressed warmly and piled into the suv to drive over to Seaside from our hotel in Destin. Actually had to park in Watercolor and take a shuttle over to the race starting point (2700 runners for both races plus spectators meant not enough parking in tiny Seaside). Finally got over to Seaside and waited on the side while the half-marathon runners got ready to start their race. That wind was coming right down the street, which meant we'd all be running into it for the first half of both races.
The half-marathon finally started about 7:10am, then those of us running the 5K got ready to start, finally getting going about 7:25am. That wind was COLD! Kept a pretty decent pace the first half, and when I made the turnaround I knew I could pick that pace up. And I did! Having the wind at your back really helps, so does running on an actual FLAT course. By the time I was back in Watercolor, I knew I was faster than my November time, just not by how much. Saw the finish line and glanced over at the time clock just as I crossed it. 38 minutes! Someone was blocking the seconds, but I didn't care! I did it in under 40 minutes, wooohoooooo! Final actual time (posted on the website yesterday) was 38:49:05! Yeah! Shaved 2 minutes and 45 seconds off my 11/22/08 time!
So what was my challenge to myself if I did post a time under 40 minutes? To sign up for a 10K on 3/15/09. So I did, that's less than 2 weeks away, yikes! I'm not worried about posting a fast time since this will be my first 10K, whatever happens, happens. I just want to get the first one out of the way so I can settle in and start preparing for the Peachtree Road Race in July.
Here we go, the next 2 races are:
3/15/09 Shamrock and Roll 10K - Atlanta
3/28/09 ING Publix 5K - Atlanta
Sunday morning dawned windy and cold! Temp was 38 with a windchill of 29, ON THE BEACH! IN FLORIDA! So we dressed warmly and piled into the suv to drive over to Seaside from our hotel in Destin. Actually had to park in Watercolor and take a shuttle over to the race starting point (2700 runners for both races plus spectators meant not enough parking in tiny Seaside). Finally got over to Seaside and waited on the side while the half-marathon runners got ready to start their race. That wind was coming right down the street, which meant we'd all be running into it for the first half of both races.
The half-marathon finally started about 7:10am, then those of us running the 5K got ready to start, finally getting going about 7:25am. That wind was COLD! Kept a pretty decent pace the first half, and when I made the turnaround I knew I could pick that pace up. And I did! Having the wind at your back really helps, so does running on an actual FLAT course. By the time I was back in Watercolor, I knew I was faster than my November time, just not by how much. Saw the finish line and glanced over at the time clock just as I crossed it. 38 minutes! Someone was blocking the seconds, but I didn't care! I did it in under 40 minutes, wooohoooooo! Final actual time (posted on the website yesterday) was 38:49:05! Yeah! Shaved 2 minutes and 45 seconds off my 11/22/08 time!
So what was my challenge to myself if I did post a time under 40 minutes? To sign up for a 10K on 3/15/09. So I did, that's less than 2 weeks away, yikes! I'm not worried about posting a fast time since this will be my first 10K, whatever happens, happens. I just want to get the first one out of the way so I can settle in and start preparing for the Peachtree Road Race in July.
Here we go, the next 2 races are:
3/15/09 Shamrock and Roll 10K - Atlanta
3/28/09 ING Publix 5K - Atlanta
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Why running?
Good question, why indeed. I certainly had no idea a year ago when I first started going back to the gym, nor in May when I quit smoking, that I would be where I am now. Having already run in three 5k's (October 25th, November 8th and 22nd) and posted respectable times in all three considering I only started running in August, boggles MY mind, so it probably boggles the minds of those that know me. Now, at no time in my past have I EVER considered myself a runner. Hell, the only time I ran before now was in basic training for the Air Force 20 years ago, and I didn't like it then. So what changed?
I don't know that it's about "what" changed, it would appear to be that I've MADE some changes in my life (see quitting smoking) and running seemed to be a natural fit to validate those changes. And you know what? I actually LIKE running now (except for running hills, I really don't care for those), especially with members of the running club I joined. There's a comraderie running with other people that you don't get running on a treadmill or running by yourself. I don't know how else to explain it, it just works for me.
I run a loop near home, that's about 2.5 miles. I have also run a couple of different loops in Douglasville with the running club that are between 2-3 miles and definitely challenging. Have I mentioned that I don't care for hills? Yes? Well, just so there's no question about it, I'll say it again. I DON'T CARE FOR HILLS! lol The rational side of me says that even though I don't like them, they are excellent in helping to build endurance.
And, BONUS, I'm no longer a trail-running "virgin". Finally went out and ran part of a couple trails at Sweetwater Creek State Park yesterday, in the rain. It was an experience and a challenge, I'll tell you that. I wasn't expecting the hills, but there they were and it's not so much that they were hard (trust me, they were), it was just that you really had to watch where you were putting your feet, especially in the rain (lots of roots sticking up, rocks, twigs, wet leaves, etc). Now, these aren't paved trails, are you catching on to the challenge? I sure did. But I'll tell you, I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to running those trails more.
Lastly, the running club, a greater group of people I haven't come across in ages. They are all definitely individuals, with their own goals and personalities. And they are all great motivators, running with them really pushes me beyond what I thought I could do originally and I thank them for that.
My next 5K's are:
3/1/09 Seaside 1/2 Marathon and 5K - Seaside, Florida
3/28/09 ING Publix 5K - Grant Park, Atlanta, Georgia
My goal is to run a 5K in under 40 minutes by the end of March, so you'll have to keep checking in to see if I do it on the 1st (which is a possibility since it's a fast and flat course) or on the 28th.
Keep an eye out for more posts as I train for those 5K's, as well as the Peachtree Road Race 10K on the 4th of July.
Holy crap, a 10K? This should be interesting...
I don't know that it's about "what" changed, it would appear to be that I've MADE some changes in my life (see quitting smoking) and running seemed to be a natural fit to validate those changes. And you know what? I actually LIKE running now (except for running hills, I really don't care for those), especially with members of the running club I joined. There's a comraderie running with other people that you don't get running on a treadmill or running by yourself. I don't know how else to explain it, it just works for me.
I run a loop near home, that's about 2.5 miles. I have also run a couple of different loops in Douglasville with the running club that are between 2-3 miles and definitely challenging. Have I mentioned that I don't care for hills? Yes? Well, just so there's no question about it, I'll say it again. I DON'T CARE FOR HILLS! lol The rational side of me says that even though I don't like them, they are excellent in helping to build endurance.
And, BONUS, I'm no longer a trail-running "virgin". Finally went out and ran part of a couple trails at Sweetwater Creek State Park yesterday, in the rain. It was an experience and a challenge, I'll tell you that. I wasn't expecting the hills, but there they were and it's not so much that they were hard (trust me, they were), it was just that you really had to watch where you were putting your feet, especially in the rain (lots of roots sticking up, rocks, twigs, wet leaves, etc). Now, these aren't paved trails, are you catching on to the challenge? I sure did. But I'll tell you, I enjoyed it, and am looking forward to running those trails more.
Lastly, the running club, a greater group of people I haven't come across in ages. They are all definitely individuals, with their own goals and personalities. And they are all great motivators, running with them really pushes me beyond what I thought I could do originally and I thank them for that.
My next 5K's are:
3/1/09 Seaside 1/2 Marathon and 5K - Seaside, Florida
3/28/09 ING Publix 5K - Grant Park, Atlanta, Georgia
My goal is to run a 5K in under 40 minutes by the end of March, so you'll have to keep checking in to see if I do it on the 1st (which is a possibility since it's a fast and flat course) or on the 28th.
Keep an eye out for more posts as I train for those 5K's, as well as the Peachtree Road Race 10K on the 4th of July.
Holy crap, a 10K? This should be interesting...
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