3.1 and Done!

Hello my friends! It's a lovely, albeit cloudy, Sunday in Minnesota and I finished my 5K.

It's the second one I've done, but the first one I actually enjoyed. The first was nearly a year ago, on a trail in a Minnesota state park. My friend won that race with flying colors, and informed us all that it was actually 3.3 miles, instead of the actual 5K length of 3.1. What!? They made me run farther? Ugh, we weren't so pleased...

This race, though, was great! I made a goal for myself to run at least the first whole mile, then could walk as needed. I ended up only walking during mile 2, which was a great accomplishment. It felt so good, and I feel as though I may have changed as a runner (er, jogger). While running in the past, I would set small goals for myself: I'm going to run for a half mile, walk for a quarter, then run another half for example. During the run, though, I'd get bored after a quarter mile and walk for a mile. I wasn't holding myself accountable.

Today, though? Today, I did it. I set goals and I accomplished them. I used landmarks, instead of distances. If I run through mile 1, I can walk whenever I please (check). If I make it to that lamppost/bridge/retaining wall, I can walk (check). Run the last 1.1 miles (check). Maybe, just maybe, I turned over a new leaf as a jogger.

It feels good to be done, and I am excited for the next race in September.

Here's a shot of my post-race nap with the puppy-boy (we had to be in the parking ramp by 6am...that's early for a teacher during the summer!):

Motivate Me!

Does anyone remember the band Good Charlotte? I believe I went to a concert of theirs in college, and probably had a really good time (live music is awesome, by the by). I digress.

Good Charlotte has a song named "The Motivation Proclamation" and I thought it would be a fabulous song to talk about in regards to my new motivation to work out. I had a quick listen, though, and realized that it wasn't necessarily the happiest song. I didn't write the song, so I do not know for sure what the writers were thinking, but it sounds like someone is depressed.

I'm not. At all. I love life, but I was looking for a connection to my new found motivation. Finalmente, I have found motivation to get out there and run. I don't know what it was, I don't know what did it, but I am ready to run.

My 5K is coming up (August 26th) and I am actually excited to continue training. Tuesday is weekly girls' night with a great group of girls I knew in high school, which is why I tried to finagle my training schedule to have my day of rest on Tuesdays. It has worked out thus far, but as I sat at my friend's house I thought about running (er, jogging).

Instead of looking forward to a day of rest (as I normally would have), I was itching to get out and run! Tomorrow's goal: run 1.25 miles, walk 1.75 miles.

Exercise Update

I thought I'd give you all an update on my exercising/5K training.

I have registered for a local 5K and have exactly two weeks left to prepare. Since I was out of town last week, I didn't do any running. I did go on a few walks and took part in quite a few water sports, but no running (jogging).

I woke up early enough this morning to go for a run. Being that I'm new at this game, I decided running on a treadmill at the community center was the best idea. I would be able to track my time and my distance, since I don't have one of those fancy GPS runner's watches (yet?).

While getting reading this morning, I contemplated my goal for the day. I decided that a decent goal would be to complete, by either running or running and walking, 2 miles. I would judge how much of it I was to run after a few minutes of running, so I could gauge how I was feeling.

After all was said and done, I ran 1.25 miles without stopping and walked the rest! I was (and still am) pleased with myself. You see, I've always hated running without a purpose (for example, after a soccer ball), but I know it is the best way for me to get back into shape. So running I will do.

And after today's run? I felt amazing. Tired, yes. A little sore? Not too bad, but yes. Accomplished? Yes. Wonderful? Yes. Like I can do this 5K in two weeks? Yes.

If I can run a 5K without walking, I may have to buy myself a present. Shoes are a fabulous present!

Started!

As mentioned a couple days ago, I need to get my butt in shape. My friend's ability to run around a local lake (which happens to be a 5K) without stopping or walking has motivated me just enough to get out of the house and go. For those of you that are wondering, I am over my feelings of jealousy. The jealousy left, and I am now happy for her and her huge accomplishment!

I started my training plan and have successfully complete the first two days. Luckily, the first two days consisted of walking for 40 to 60 minutes. I did 60 minutes each day and felt great.

Surprisingly (and sadly) my legs were quite tired and sore at the end of each hour. This just goes to show that I really do need to get out there and continue my quest to get back into shape. It's necessary.