Training

Ok, so I finished my first 5K. It was fine, not pretty. I had more fun people watching than I did actually running the race. Don't get me wrong, the adrenaline you get from everyone running around you is pretty awesome. But that wears off after about the first 1K. then you still have 4K left to run. The last 400 yds. are okay, too, because the people are cheering you on to finish. But the people are fun to watch. Some are dressed hilariously. Some take it way too serious. Others confuse you as to why they are even there. it's endless. And it kept me entertained the entire hour and half I had to wait until the race started.

Maybe I made a mistake by not letting anyone come to my first 5K to support me but I was scared. Scared I wouldn't finish. Scared I wouldn't do good. Whatever, whatever. I regretted it after I finished.

I started running in April. I have gained quite a bit of weight over the years and physically I'm not in the best shape for running. But I wasn't going to let that stop me. In the beginning I would run 2 mins and walk one minute. I would do this for about 1.5 miles. Then I started going about 2.5 miles. Eventually I started running more and more. And I even took quite a bit of time off because I was in so much pain. I thought something was wrong with me but turns out, it was just sore muscles. But when I say sore - I mean painful to walk sore.

My first 5K was June 20. I didn't do too much training the week of. Probably not a good idea. And did I mention that my training was inside on a treadmill? That's not quite the same as running outside. And believe me, I certainly paid the price on the night of my run.

I wanted to run the entire 5K. I felt like I could do it. But it was SO HOT. It was SMOTHERING hot. It was UNABLE TO BREATHE hot. I was looking for water stations. Sadly, there were only two. I got water at both. After about 2K, I had to walk some. I was disappointed but then realized that I had to get over that. Other people were doing it, too. My goal was to finish. I walked a little while and ran again. I did this until about the last 1K. I didn't finish as fast as I would have liked but I FINISHED. Wasn't that the goal? And I shed a few tears of happiness when I crossed the finish line. I had done what I set out to do. And for that, I was proud.

So some time has passed since my first 5K. I've entertained the idea of doing another that is next month but they're not cheap and let's face it - we're in a recession. So, I've set my eyes on the next big thing - the Dam Run to Irmo. It's Sept. 26. It's a 10K.

FOLKS, I'M RUNNING A 10K. (a 10K is 6.2 miles)

Call me nuts. Call me insane. I am both.

Saturday I ran 10.5 miles. I've never run that far in my life. It was an easy run. I enjoyed it. I was in the Cinema room at the gym. I don't even remember what movie was playing. I don't really take in the whole cinema thing while I'm in there - I actually put in my headphones and listen to music. I try to figure out what's going on in the movie without listening to it. It keeps me distracted and I like it.

I went to the gym today. I ran 6.5 miles. It was painful. I was sore today. Every step hurt. I'm taking a break tomorrow. I don't think my body can handle any more.

Right now I average 20-25 miles a week. Pretty cool to think that I'm doing that now considering I started out about 8-10 miles a week with a walk/run combo.

So, here we go again. But this time, I'm going to be prepared for running outside. But for now while it's about 100 degrees, I'm hitting the treadmill. I just need to use an incline.

I'll post my progress. this is nuts people. But what is life without a little bit of insanity?!?!?!