Running Update - 10k Training/Race Complete

An update to my running journey...I started a 10k training program in mid-August. Unfortunately, my brother died August 31st, and this caused a real lack of motivation on my part, so I missed a great deal of the training. I did complete more of the runs the last month of training, and I ran my 10k race in the beginning of November. My finish time was 1:18. Super slow, I know (I am for sure a "back of the pack" runner") but it was a great run - my pace was the same throughout the race, and I could have kept running! 

During my training I realized that once I pass 3 miles or so, running is much easier for me. Its like my muscles remember what to do and just take over...but getting past those 3 miles can be rough! I also discovered I have arthritis in my knees, which seems to both me particularly on runs 5 miles and over. I immediately ice my knees after a run now and I'm wearing neoprene knee braces (which alleviate pain during the run, but not after).

Here I am the morning of the race - very excited!

 It was 35 degrees and sunny - nice running weather.

My boy and I at the end of the race. He was very happy for me.

Evan took this picture of me finishing up the race.

My running buddy Jaime and I (she's waaaay faster than me)!

Next up in my training is speed development (starting in January). In the meantime, I'm trying to run 9 -12 miles a week at a minimum. This weekend I'm running a 5k with my BFF - her very first 5k!

5k Race Day!

A picture of my boy and I before the race. He makes me want to run, to be healthy, to be a role model for healthy habits. I love him.

Saturday was race day. I was definitely worried the day before. My son was very sick (fever and vomiting), my husband was out of town and I really didn't know if I would sleep the night before the race. I also consummed lots of sugar. I know, awful! I took a Valium and that got me to sleep the night before. We got up before 6am and my sister-in-law (a talented runner) came with me to cheer me on and watch Marino during the race.

We were fortunate that race day was gorgeous. In Metro DC, we tend to have HUMIDITY from June - August but Saturday morning it was sunny and in the low 70s with no humidity. I got hot while running, but the lack of humidity definitely helped.

Here I am towards the beginning of the race (number 78 - blue shirt, big smile). I was feeling great at this point.

Normally, I run an 11:30 - 12 minute mile. Almost the entire race I was running faster than an 11:30 and I really just burned myself out. I had to walk for about 30 seconds in the last quarter mile of the race - I was just exhausted (I did finish it running). I finished in 36:06. My goal was 35 minutes or under. Maybe next time!

Do I look tired?!

Here I am with my boy right after the race (I didn't collapse...I'm taking my chip off my laces).

Our running group had snacks and little gifts for us after the race. We plan to stick together and move into the 10k training program next. I really love running with these ladies!

Week 11 Runs - Last Runs Before My 1st 5k!

Monday: 15 minutes, 1.3 miles around lake by my house.
Time of day: 6:30AM
Weather: humid, sunny, not yet hot
Issues: Just fatigue, but felt good after 1/4 mile.

Taking it easy this week for the race on Saturday, but just felt like I needed to run.


Tuesday: 20 minutes at Lake Needwood.
Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: HUMID!!! It rained the entire day, so it must have been near 100% humidity.
Issues: Oh, the humidity was a killer. The end of our run was a big hill and I had to walk for a minute...it felt like I was breathing in steam. I have never sweat that much in my life. My hair was soaked - after a 20 minute run!

Here we are practicing getting water during the race!

Thursday: 15 minute run at King Farm.
Time of day: 7PM
Weather: Cloudy but warm and mild (high 70s)
Issues: None

After our run, some of our pace group met for dinner and drinks to celebrate. The next time we see each other will be at the race! I really enjoy running with these ladies (and Bob!)

Week 10 Runs

Monday: 1.3 miles around lake by my house...leisurely run with the dog...15 minutes

Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: Perfect! 70s, sunny, with a breeze
Issues: None

Tuesday: track at MCC. 35 minutes - speed work.

Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: Sunny and cool.
Issues: UGH! I stopped eating sugar and caffeine on Saturday and I have really had trouble adjusting. I could barely run - I just have no energy!


Taking the rest of the week off to let my body adjust to getting energy from food other than sugar!

Hindsight

I'm cracking up reading my first post where I said I was hoping to run a 10 minute mile in a 5k!
My new (realistic) goal is to run an 11:30 mile on June 16th.

Week 9 Runs

Tuesday: 30 minutes of hills and track workout, interrupted by a storm.
Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: HOT AND HUMID!
Issues: I hadn't ran in a week and my shins were bothering me. I iced them when I home and that helped.

Thursday: 30 minutes, 2.39 miles around King Farm.
Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: Hot (80s) but not very humid
Issues: I'm definitely still adjusting to the heat, and had to stop for a short, minute long walk a couple of times, but I felt good at the end of my run. I had a little pain in my shins, but not as severe as Tuesday.

Saturday: 39 minutes, 3.1 miles - Wheaton Regional Park*
Time of Day: 7:30AM
Weather: Sunny & Cool (65ish)
Issues: It was a bit harder than I expected, just in terms of regulating my breathing. I also wore sunglasses, which ended up really annoying me, because they fogged up once I got hot!

*This was the course for the 5k race I'll be doing on June 16th.

Here's a couple pictures from Saturday. I'm in the blue tank with the black pants.

Finishing up a 5k!

Week 8 Runs

Don't exist. My son was in the hospital and very ill the whole week, so no running for Mommy.

Week 7 Runs

Sunday: 3.25 mile loop near my house. 40 minutes/3.25 miles (partially walking)Time of day: 10AM
Weather: Sunny and warm (80s)
Issues: There were some gigantic hills on this route and that really slowed me down and I ended up needing to walk more than usual. On a scale of 1-5 of hills (they have to be a certain height to even rank as a 1), mapmyrun put it at a 2, which may not seem like a lot, but they were rough! My shins were hurting after, so I iced them before I took a shower and that seemed to help.

Tuesday: 2.65 miles around MCC, 40 minutes
Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: Sunny, warm (80s), humid
Issues: None

Thursday: 2.25 miles at King Farm, 27 minutes
Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: Sunny, warm (70s), perfect!
Issues: None

Friday: 60 minute walk w/ a friend (3.75 miles).

Week 6 Runs

Running with my pace group last week (I'm the one in the blue hat).

Sorry I skipped blogging Week 5. I was crazy busy and didn't write anything down as it happened. Now all the days are running together. I just know I ran.

Sunday - Glen Echo Park and surrounding neighborhood. 20 minutes, 1.5 miles (it was all hills, so I was slooooow).
Time of day: 9:00AM
Weather: 70's but humid
Surface: All hills!
Issues: I was completely exhausted and I questioned even attempting to run. I had a very busy day Saturday (yard sale, kid's birthday party, hosted a bridal shower) and only got 4.5 hours of sleep. But I decided not to waste my time (my son was in a class). As I expected, I hit my stride after 5 minutes and felt better. The hills were a killer, but I was glad I ran.

Tuesday - Track at MCC. 30 minutes, 2.4 miles
Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: 70s and HUMID! Humidity was 94% and it felt like we were running in a sauna!
Surface: perfect (but full of puddles)
Issues: The humidity was awful. Humidity is an issue for me anyway (triggers migraines) and the heat was awful, it was difficult to breathe, etc, etc.

Thursday - King Farm trail. 25 minutes/2.05 miles
Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: 70's, sunny and windy, no humidity. Perfect running weather!
Surface: One big hill, the rest flat/downhill
Issues: None, I could have ran longer, but the program we are running is emphasizing how not to injure yourself. I did have some knee pain when I woke up.

Week 4 Runs

Sunday - trail around the lake by my house. 1.3 miles, 12 minutes
Time of day: 7:50PM - getting dark
Weather: HOT! Mid 80s.
Surface: Relatively smooth. Some small hills, one larger hill.
Issues: I had a stomach cramp at one point (I had just eaten) but it went away. I could have done more mileage but it was getting dark and running in the dark is a bit disorienting for me.

Monday - trail around the lake by my house. 1.3 miles, 12 minutesTime of day: 6:30PM
Weather: HOT! Almost 90 degrees
Surface: Relatively smooth. Some small hills, one larger hill.
Issues: None, just the heat

Tuesday - track at MCC. Hill work (2 1/8 mile hills, 10 minutes at 12 minute/mile pace)Time of day: 6:30PM
Weather: Warm - high 60s

Surface: Perfect
Issues: UGH! Why did I think it would be ok to run 2 days in a row? I'm never sore but I woke up this morning in pain!! My knees, especially, but also my right hip and my shins. I was hurting. I took an ibuprofen before the run with the group and that helped some. The fact that we were starting hill work didn't do my knees any favors, but I survived.

Thursday - trail around the lake by my house. 1.5 miles, 15 minutes

Time of day: 6:40AM
Weather: Mild, Sunny
Surface: Relatively smooth. Some small hills, one larger hill.
Issues: Some pain in my shins and knees, but nothing awful. I'm finding it takes me a good half a mile to feel "awake" when I run in the morning, but after that it gets easier and feels good.

Saturday:  Trail around the lake by my house.  25 minutes, 2 miles.
Time of day:  8:00AM
Weather:  Sunny, warm
Surface: Relatively smooth. Some small hills, one larger hill.
Issues:  This was hands down the longest run I've ever done. It was tough, more because of joint pain than endurance.  My knees bothered me a lot, as well as my right hip. However, I was really excited and proud that I got through it!

Other things to note:
-I'm continuing to do plenty of abductor exercises whenever I can (watching tv in the evening, before a run, etc) to try and build some strength in my hips. I think its really helping.
-Signed up to run my first 5k in June!!

Week 3 Runs, Etc.

Sunday: trail in my neighborhood around lake, 1.3 miles, 13 minutes.
time of day: 11:00am
weather: sunny and warm
surface: smooth
issues: none


Tuesday: track at MCC, 1.5 miles, 16 minutes
time of day: 6:30pm
weather: sunny, windy
surface: perfect issues: I had actually considered skipping this run, since my stomach was bothering me all day. It ended up being my best run so far! I had some stomach cramps the first quarter mile, but after that, I felt great!

Thursday: Bailed on my planned evening run, but took my son to a birthday party at a bounce house place. Wow - what a work out! Were were running through obstacle courses, jumping around, climbing huge walls, etc. I don't feel bad about missing my run - my heart rate was up for a full hour!

Week 2 Runs, Etc.

I'm going to be completely honest here and say I was a wimp this week. Tree pollen has kicked into high gear and my allergies are a mess. It's also my son's spring break, so we traveled a bit and our whole routine was different this week. It can only get better from here, right?

Sunday: Trail at lake in my neighborhood. 1.3 miles
time of day: 5:00PM
weather: sunny and mild
surface: smooth
issues: none, other than endurance issues
felt: good

Tuesday:  Track at MCC. 15 minutes. 

time of day: 6:30PM
weather:  sunny and mild but high pollen count
surface: smooth
issues: serious endurance issues - had to walk for 1 minute once I got to 12 minutes
felt: tired, out of breath!

Friday:  Sneaker Hike in DC. 4 Miles/2.5 Hours
Nighttime monument hike in DC - fun! 

I know, I know, slacker! More running is in store for me next week!

Week 1 Runs

Saturday: Ken-Gar park 10 minutes
time of day: 7:30am
weather: humid and cloudy
surface: varied
issues: tired, slight headache from weather
felt: tired, lazy

Tuesday: track at MCC 10 minutes
time of day: 6:30pm
weather: sunny and chilly
surface: perfect
issues: continued pain in right hip. dehydrated from stomach issues all day Sun/Mon
felt: great, good chat during run

Wednesday: trail at lake in my neighborhood 45 minutes (walk 2.6 miles)
leisurely walk in the morning with a friend

Thursday: trail at lake in my neighborhood 20 minutes (run/walk 1.3 miles)
time of day: 6:30am
weather: a bit windy, sunny
surface: smooth
issues/felt: tired in beginning of run. morning is a bit of a challenge...I need a while to fully wake up, but its the most convenient time of the day for me to exercise. The 2nd half of my run was significantly better than first. Very minimal hip pain.

Other things I've worked on this week:
- Strengthening my hips through hip abductor exercises
- abdominal exercises to strengthen my core

About This Journey...

I was one of those people who thought I could never run a mile. I've never been particularly athletic, and always got shin splints when I tried to run (adding to this is the fact I am missing joints in 8 of my toes, so shoes never fit me correctly).

In the summer of 2011, I took a boot camp class that incorporated short distance running. For the first time, I was coached to run by landing on the balls of my feet, which made all the difference for me - my shin splints stopped! I successfully ran my first mile that fall.

After a lack of motivation in the winter months, I'm now starting a local 5k program designed for beginning women runners. At time trials, I ran a 11:50 mile. I'm hoping to be able to run a 10 minute mile for the 5k in June.

And the blog name? That's what my son (3 years old) asks me when I get back from a run and I think it's adorable!

Thanks for joining me on this journey!