Slow and Steady Wins the Race (Magic City 5K)

This morning I ran the Magic City 5K.  It was quite cold - 27 deg at the start. I was a running buddy for Girls on the Run.  My little running buddy was great.   And fast!  I slowed her down! LOL!  But she wouldn't get too far ahead of me.

I certainly wasn't prepared to run in the cold.  I hadn't run outside for some time.  My time was not so great:  50:24 (16:15/mi).  But I finished (and I wasn't last  - LOL)!

An Afternoon Made for Running!

Before leaving work this afternoon, I took one look outside my door and said to myself - I got to get out and run!  It was a gorgeous day - bright sun, cool, light breeze.

I did a little today outside than I did on the treadmill yesterday - 45:32, 3.03 mi (pace - 15:01/mi).

Maybe I just need the right motivation! LOL!

NO TURNING BACK NOW - ON TO VICTORY (SPARTAN SPRINT GEORGIA, 3/9/2013)!

How I'll feel in the next couple of hours or so  ...




THE TASTE OF TRIUMPH!

COUNTDOWN TO MY 1ST MUD RUN: SPARTAN SPRINT GEORGIA EVE!

OVERCOMING!

YOU'LL KNOW AT THE FINISH LINE! (video)

COUNTDOWN TO MY 1ST MUD RUN: 2 DAYS TO SPARTAN SPRINT GEORGIA

You're Smiling, REALLY?

COUNTDOWN TO MY 1ST MUD RUN: 3 DAYS TO SPARTAN SPRINT GEORGIA!

FACING THE BARBED WIRE!

COUNTDOWN TO MY 1ST MUD RUN: 4 DAYS TO SPARTAN SPRINT GEORGIA

HANGING IN THERE ON THE ROPE TRAVERSE!

COUNTDOWN TO MY 1ST MUD RUN: 5 DAYS TO SPARTAN SPRINT GEORGIA!

FACING THE GLADIATORS!!

COUNTDOWN TO MY 1ST MUD RUN: 6 DAYS TO SPARTAN SPRINT GEORGIA!

THE FIRE PIT!

COUNTDOWN TO MY 1ST MUD RUN: 7 DAYS TO SPARTAN SPRINT GEORGIA!

MUD! OH YEAH!

ARE YOU SPARTAN TOUGH? (translation - I MUST BE CRAZY!!)

Next Saturday, March 9th, I will embark on a 1st: running in an obstacle mud run - Spartan Sprint Georgia.  When I first registered for it, I thought "Hey, this is cool".  Several of my friends had done a similar race a couple of years ago and they said it was a total blast!  But as the date for the race gets closer, I'm getting a little anxious (it doesn't help to watch videos of the races).  I won't have any friends running but I'll have family there to cheer me on because -

I AM SPARTAN TOUGH!!!



ARE YOU SPARTAN TOUGH? (video)

Superhero 5K (Mercedes Marathon weekend 2013)

Well, this was my 2nd event for 2013. Finished slightly over 45 min (45:07, pace 14:33).  Time was a little off from my 1st 5K this year (January - Red Nose Run: 44:31, pace 14:21).  Hadn't looked at my stats for my 5Ks in awhile, and the trend is seems to be steady - hovering around high 44:00/low 45:00.  Earlier in my running career, though, my pace seemed to a little better (between high 40:00 to high 43:00).   However, if I really examined this, it would probably correlate closely to my weight loss.

My next 2 events are 'mud runs' - Spartan Sprint and Warrior Dash.  Definitely not going to worry about pace - just finishing!

Running in the New Year

Today was  my 1st race for 2013 - Red Nose Run 5K.  Usually in January, it's cold.  But today is was very humid - almost 70 at race time (7:15 am).  And I was still fighting out being sick.  So early into the race my breathing was very labored.  But I was surprised by my finish - 44:31 (about 14:22/mi pace).  I couldn't have been happier.

According to my smartphone app, these were my splits:
Mile 1 - 13:23
Mile 2 - 27:53 (14:30)
Mile 3 - 42:03 (14:10)
Mile 3.1 - 44:31

524 cal

Going the distance (sorta)

Registered for a virtual 5K (runningnerds' Virtual Half Marathon and Treadmill Challenge 5K) this month. 

Surprised with my finish (45:15, pace 14:35/mi, 543 cal)

Walk/run (4.0/4.5 mph) - 4:00/1:00 (last 0.1 mile 5.0 mph)
Mile 1 - 14:41
Mile 2 - 29:21
Mile 3 - 44:00

Even more surprisingly my knees did OK - some soreness, but it was bearable).  Think I will stick with the shorter distances (probably no more halfs or marathons, maybe marathon relays).

Need Some Workout Motivation - check out these challenges!

Runner's World

The 2012 Holiday Running Streak (11/22/2012 - 1/1/2013)

Stay fit and motivated during the busy (and calorie-filled) holiday season by pledging to run at least one mile every day, Thanksgiving through New Year's.

http://www.runnersworld.com/cold-weather-running/2012-holiday-running-streak?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-Training-_-2012RWRunStreak%3Fcm_mmc%3DFacebook-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-Training-_-RWRunStreak

 

 

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Woodstock 5K 2012: The Results

Well, it wasn't pretty, but I finished (The GPS app on my smartphone had my time @ 48:26; this was a chip-timed race, so I am happy with the official time).

My left knee was particularly problematic during the race (and admittedly before as well) - it was swollen, so I decided I would not run as much and walk more.  That helped some.   I saw the back of one person's shirt and took a picture - it reminded of why I run:

Retro Run 2012

It was still humid, even at 6:00 pm.  Otherwise, OK.  My knee held quite well. 
*Mile 1 - 13:18
*Mile 2 - 27:30 (14:12)
*Mile 3 - 41:27 (13:57)
*Mile 3.21 - 44:29 (14:14)
My clock time was 44:45 (no chip timing)  - but I didn't start right when the starting gun was shot. 

RUMPSHAKER!

Rumpshaker 5K, 44:02, 614 cal (pace, 14:12/mil)

Well, I got off to a late start this AM. Went to GA last night for a lottery ticket and got home late. After waking up late, I rushed to the race only to get there about 20 minutes before the start and to park about 3 blocks. I hadn't picked up my race package prior to the race. Fortunately, I called one of my running pals who was already there to pick up my package for me. It took a few minutes for me to finally find her to get my package. Once I got my race number picked on, I had to rush back to my car to drop off the rest of the package and get back before the gun went of!! I made it with a few minutes to share!! WHEW!!!
My breathing was too bad to get, but my legs did not want to cooperate! But I made it though!!

My 1st Race for 2012! WHEW! Finally back on the wagon!!

Finally I did my 1st race event for 2012 today (3/2/12)! It was a 5K (Conquer Cancer Run). I did at least finish (45:12, 609 cal).
Mile 1 - 15:16
Mile 2 - 13:49
Mile 3 - 13:51

I'm been off the wagon awhile and it's been somewhat challenging to get back motivated. And the lack of training was evident from the very start of the race. The course itself played against me since we started uphill in the 1st quarter mile of the race! The 1st mile wiped me out. I didn't get my second wind back until after mile 2.

Although my season got off to a rocky start, I'm using this day as the motivation to keep going this year!

1st Race for 2011 - and It was a Good One!

This morning I ran Adam's Heart & Sole 5K (@ Lakeshore Running Trail).  The trail is mostly a flat course, which was good for me since this was my first race in 2011 and first race back since start rehabbing for me knee.  I set my target pace on the GPS-enabled app on my BB for 15:00, nit expecting to do much better than that.  And the weather certainly was weird today - we had snow flurries! And quite heavy at times during the race.  However, this wasn't a real factor for the course because they melted on contact with the ground, but it was certainly a sight to behold!

My stats - finished 41:36 (13:25 pace)! And my knee felt very good - no pain, but it did get a little tired about halfway between mile 2 & 3.  I was very pleased with performance in this race.  I'm looking for to next week's 5 and I may add a longer run (5 miles) this week to see what my knee can do.