Log Off - Shut Down - Go Run 10k

I hope everyone had great races this weekend... I know there were a lot going on.

Everyone breaking free of the cold & getting these road races under their belts.

While I missed the big race in town, I did get in the 10K sponsored by Gone for a Run.

I had been on my feet for 10 hours on Saturday for a wedding & my feet were killing me, but I didn't even let my mind think twice about doing the 6.2 miles.

Now, I knew my time would be affected - but as I've made it pretty clear this year, I could care less about time.  I just wanted to see the 6.20 on my Nike GPS watch & know I earned that medal.

 & earned it I did.

Luckily, it was a beautiful day, so it was a pleasure to get out in sunshine & inhale fresh air.  It was nice too because I saw some familiar faces & had some company for a few miles of the loop.

I actually started out pretty good keeping my intervals at 3 min walks/2 min runs for the first 4 miles. 

I wasn't sure I would even be able to do any running at first with the way my feet felt & plus, I wore tennis shoes that I don't typically run in. I use these shoes for my Les Mills Combat. I tried running in them when I first got them, but they caused blisters on the back of my feet. I'm not even sure why I put them on but noticed those were the shoes I had on once I got to the park.  Ooops. 

This was exactly how I felt when I looked at my shoes on my feet

I ended up getting a blister - but not in the back of my feet, but on the sole of my feet, the same place that I got them for the Ky Derby MiniMarathon.  What is happening with this spot on the bottom of my foot?  Anything over 5 miles & it pops up.

Needless to say, the last mile & a half was strictly walking... whatever... I was moving. I got my miles in.
I got my medal.
I EARNED my medal, I should say.

I just really enjoyed having the challenge ahead of me of doing this 10k the day after a wedding.  Made me see strength that I have deep in me - especially when others don't see it. I know I can do it.

Did you have any races this weekend?

 

How did you do?

10K... I DID IT!!!!

Yep... I left Friday not sure what was going to happen....

& honestly I woke up on Saturday not expecting to do the race.

I woke up still feeling stuffy headed.  I woke up with stomach cramps. I woke up feeling weak.  I just felt BLAH.

Ricky told me not to do the race. Just get back in bed.  "It's not the last race in the world"

I knew this.  But I just threw the biggest pity party you could imagine.  Crying.  Turned into sobbing.  Over a race. Over a stupid race.

But it was just a personal struggle to me. 

I can feel time weighing on me.  Every year, it gets harder.  & I know if I start making excuses, it will just be easier & easier to just not show up at a race.  & granted, I felt bad, but I still knew inside that if I went out there, I would be able to do it. I just knew it.  So what was really the excuse?

Plus, to be honest, I was mad.

I had this goal of this 10k.

most people have half marathon or full marathon goals. I had one measly little goal of a pitiful 10k... & if I couldn't make that.  I felt like a failure. 

I know some people wouldn't get that. I know Runner totally get that.

So it was 7:15 & the race started at 8... & that's when I started throwing on clothes, even with tears still running down my face.  I literally had no idea what I was putting on & hoping it would work with the temps.

Ricky decided to forego this race so he could just drop me off & we wouldn't have to worry about parking - especially after the parking nightmare of the last race 2 weeks before.... & mercy, we made good time.

& we got really lucky because we found a parking spot for $3.00 that was about a half mile from the start.  Ricky was able to go to the start line with me... & we had about 2 minutes to spare.  After the last race, that felt like a lifetime.

The gun went off & I literally started crying... just because I was thankful I was at the start.  I didn't know how it would end up, but I was so proud of myself for just showing up there at that spot....

Ricky ended up running with me about the first quarter mile - in his jeans - & then headed back to the finish to wait for me.

The first mile, I started coughing & I pretty much was choking on my own snot. GROSS!!!! ... which sort of threw me into a mild panic attack in the 2nd mile.  Choking is never something that makes running easy....

But I hit a good downhill in the middle of mile 2 that seemed to make everything ease up.  & I even hit the 5k mark 2 minutes earlier then the race I did 2 weeks before!

From there, I just tried to stay to my intervals, knowing I hadn't worked out in a week because I was sick, & still feeling a little shaky & weak from eating nothing but soup & laying in bed for 7 days.

I get to 5.5 miles & look & see Ricky walking on the sidewalk looking for me. 

It's funny how we've been married for so long but in certain moments in life, when we see each other, its like the movies where we just want to run to each other.... #love

He checked to see how I was feeling - perfectly fine
& then he held my  hand as I crossed the finish line.

I DID IT!

I did it even though I felt bad.

My time... sucked... royally... like the WORST 10K ever for me... like 17 minutes slower then my PR... Holy cow... that's embarrassing...

but that's OK...

I had a little bit of a sulk over that when I got home, but had to remind myself not to focus on the bad.  Focus on the good.  Focus on accomplishments.

We went & had our usual Panera breakfast afterwards & Ricky told me he was so glad I went because he said he knows I would have cried over it all weekend if I stayed home... I totally would have...

That goal I set a few months back to do this race... marked off...

Now onto the next challenge....

I am a plan kinda girl....

This sinus infection is killing me... it honestly is lasting longer then any sinus infection I think I've ever had.  I am about ready to scream... or cry... or both...

Needless to say, this past weekend, I did zero, zippo working out.  I think I would have passed out if I tried.

I did get something in the mail that made me EXCITED about working out though...

I saw a deal on this a few weeks ago & decided to buy it.  After all, I do have my black belt - I KNOW martial arts. It's what is comfortable for me... & works me out... I love kick boxing. 

I have one of those personalities that wants to do things NOW ... so I thought I would start off Monday with this & jump into the program.

But then Monday came & I remembered something. I've registered for a 5k & a 10k in March....

So I stopped & devised a plan.

I really want to do these races. I miss races. The excitement of them.  So I'm holding off on starting the LesMills Combat until after the 10K on March 21st...

& I think it works out perfectly because I open up my Training book (Marathoning for Mortals) & look at the half marathon training plan & the exact number of weeks until the race, the training takes me up to 7 miles - perfect for a 10K

I laced up my shoes & got on the treadmill excited about this plan...

& even better - my first day on the TM was great. 

Now, be reminded, I am not going to push myself to crazy expectations. I'm in these races for fun - not to PR - not to do any more harm to my knee or low back.  I want to just do my New Years resolution - just move... enjoy life....

So while my first night was slow, I enjoyed moving... & better yet?  I had no back pain, no knee pain. 

My bicep tendon has flared up from swinging my arm again, but I'm used to that thing always aching....

& I know my back & knee will soon flare up, but fingers crossed that if I stay a slow pace, it wont be as bad... if at all (please Lord?)

... & the best part? I already know what I'm doing after the 10K... my LesMills program is waiting for me to get my kick on

I am a plan girl... I need a plan.. & its in full effect... & I'm excited about it...