Inaugural Lockheed Martin 5k Run/Walk

So on Saturday I went to the Lockheed Martin Inaugural 5k run/walk. Considering it was their first one it was pretty well organized. It started and 8 a.m. and after standing outside for only a half hour I was already sweating. Ugh, Florida...

I'd say only 100-150 people were there so it was nice to run in a race that wasn't that crowded.

Boom! We went off and I tried to start off with a faster pace, nothing crazy but I tried what I thought would be close to a 10 minute mile pace but slowed a little. It's really hard for me to tell me how fast I'm going. I could really use a gps watch! Anyway, I got to the mile one water station around 10:32 from what I remember and was shocked but kept going. The course was a little boring on a road that went around the facility but the part I hated was the road was a tad slanted and I was worried that was going to hurt my knees but it seemed okay.

When I got to the mile two water station but I can't remember what my watch said. It was hot and I wanted to keep going. I walked through the water stations which I actually think helped my pace.

When I was getting close to the finish line I looked at my watch and went WOAH and tried to pick it up. The race was very casual and there wasn't a clock (just a woman yelling out times as people crossed) so I was glad I timed it on my watch.

I crossed at 32:27 and was so excited but also skeptical. I felt like it was too good to be true. I thought the course seemed short and maybe it wasn't really 3.1 miles?

It was a personal record 5k time! I beat my last 5k time by 5 minutes! It's been two months since my last race.

I got home and immediately went on this gps map and took the race map with me. It came out to 3.1! Well, a little over but it's probably impossible to be 100 percent exact. 

I think it comes down to the fact I'm used to running longer distances now that the 3.1 seemed shorter.

Part of me still finds it hard to believe but I need to stop that nonsense and own my success! I saw the verified fact so it's time to celebrate!

Other things to note:

My knees felt okay after the race. I made sure to stretch good. Today was a rest day and tomorrow I have a long run (5.5 miles) and I think I'll be okay for it.

My race bib with date and time:

All my race bibs since I had started Couch to 5k:

Time to clean up from dinner and get ready for True Blood and my favorite, Mad Men!

10k training plan

So I have made the decision to do the Race for the Cure 10k on October 2nd. I have three months to train for it. I'd say I could run up to four miles right now if I pushed myself. A 10k is 6.2 miles.

I've made a 12-week training plan for myself. I am going to try and stick to it as close as possible. I've already realized my Wednesdays and Thursdays may switch week to week depending on things like acupuncture or doctor appointments.

I wanted to post my plan but the image isn't working. Oh well!

I started yesterday with a 2.5 mile run to ease myself into it. I ran it at 5.2. As I add distance I am going to give myself slack on speed. I don't want to drop below a 5.0 pace but only time will tell.

My plan includes four days of running and two days that incorporate strength training for a total of five days a week working out.

I feel really motivated. I am doing this for myself. I know crossing that finish line on October 2nd will feel incredible.

I plan on running a 5k on September 12th by myself to gague my progress. It's only $17 so I'm down.

I am signing up for the 10k on Friday after I get paid and there will be no turning back! :)

Not to mention if I stick to this plan I will easily get to my goal weight by New Years. :)

I'll post again Sunday with an update on week 1!

Watermelon 5k! July 4, 2010

So this weekend I did the Watermelon 5k with Jen and Ricky and John came along for support and to take photos. :)

The race started at 7:30 a.m. and it was packed! The announcer said over 2,600 were running.

Behind us! So many people!

Ricky and I stretching before the race.

The humidity was BRUTAL. I'd say the temperature was around 86 but felt like 90. The course also had a a few little hills and a decent amount on brick roads which felt weird to run on.

The first half-mile it was so crowded and we had to weave in and out around people which cost us time and energy.

The race wasn't chip timed but I wore my watch so I knew we didn't cross the start line until about 1:45-1:55 behind the starters.

For some reason after I hit mile 2 things got hard. I'd say this was my hardest race. Maybe it was the humidity level but it sucked! I had to stop myself from walking a few times.

Jen and I stayed together and crossed the finish line at approx. 37:30. I forgot to look at my watch at the end. Oops! That is a high estimate and we think it might have been a bit less but I'm going with that time.

Here is the only pic John could get of Jen and I running by about to cross the finish line.

I had my final pair of new shoes on (Brooks Adrenaline 10) and I like them. :)

The next 5k I'm doing is going to be in September so that gives me a bit more time to train in between. My goal for that is under 35.

In other news, my back started hurting me last night and it got worse and worse. I could hardly get out of bed this morning so I am home from work. :( I have no idea how I hurt it. Going to acupuncture at 2 and hoping that and ice/heat all day will help.

I'm going to start posting about my weigh-ins again next week! Keep an eye out!

Practice 5k on 6/27/10 & cupcakes (odd combo)

So yesterday I wanted to do a practice 5k. Basically just run the length of a 5k at the gym. I didn't get up nearly early enough to try one outside so unless I wanted to run in 97 degree weather that was out.

I did a brisk walk to warm up walking to the gym and then a few min. on the treadmill. Then I selected the 5k program.

I usually practice my running at a 5.0. I feel comfortable with it and know I can make it though at that speed. I wanted to push myself though and try a 5.5 I'll be honest, I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. I told John at least twice I didn't think so. He of course said he knew I could if I pushed myself because I've been conditioning enough for it.

Once I started I felt good. It wasn't as fast  feeling as I thought and I just put a towel over the time and ran and jammed out to music.

I checked the time a few times. Around the second mile I was tired and hot (the gym wasn't that cool, grr...). At this point though I knew I could do it. Unless I fainted I was not slowing down.

I kept on and around the last half-mile or so I went up to 5.7 which wasn't a huge difference. The last tenth of a mile (which I sprint in 5k's) I did at a 6.5.

I finished my practice 5k in: 33:31!

I felt awesome. I've been a bit down lately and it made me feel good.

I am hoping I can replicate this time Sunday for the Watermelon 5k on the 4th of July! John is coming to cheer me on and take some pics. :)

In other news we made patriotic cupcakes last night for John to bring to work this week! They were red velvet with cream cheese frosting. Here is a photo of me licking icing and accidentally getting it in my hair. :(

I am making a sad face because it was so typical fatty to get icing in my hair licking something. :P I ate about 5 points of icing. :( Oh well! I didn't eat a cupcake. Well I tried a bite of John's.

The final result. :)

I want to open a cupcake shop! heh.

Photos From I Love Fathers Day 5k on 6/20/2010

Before the race! Me, Kim, Mary and Laura

Me somewhere in the first mile I think...I look so serious.

Me coming in through the finish. Take off 16 seconds for the late start and you have my 38:40! I need to work on looking cuter when I run. At least when I finish a race!

Everyone at the end of the race, tired, red and sweaty! In order of finishing! Mary got second fastest girl! Way to go! *Note to self: light blue shirt shows sweat A LOT

Overall it was a great time. Seeing some of these photos really motivated me to lose this weight. It's all in my mid-section and it sucks.

Speaking of...woke up at 6 a.m. to run today before work. It wasn't that bad! :)

I Love Fathers Day 5k!

So today I did a 5k at John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor, FL with three friends from work!

After last week's 5k I had a goal set for no walking and 37 min.

I didn't sleep great last night which sucked and for some reason this morning my stomach was feeling yucky.

I tried to eat some toast with cream cheese which unfortunately was all we had in the house but it wasn't sitting well so I only ate half.

First off, I'll note what was different from last weeks race:

• no hills! Granted there were only a few last weekend in the first quarter mile they really sucked.
• I wore shorts. I knew the heat was going to be bad again so I used by Body Glide (anti-chafing stick) on my inner legs.
• I wore my new Brooks shoes.
• I didn't carry my water bottle with me even though there was only one water stop.
• I listened to music the whole time.
• I had energy jelly beans before the race.

The race began at 8 a.m. and I knew I'd be running it on my own. My friend Mary is fast. She has been running all her life and came in as the second fastest girl with a little over 20 min. My friends Laura and Kim haven't been running long and we've run together before so I knew my pace would be faster.

BANG! Time to go. Hey! People were taking our photos. Can't wait to see how bad those turned out! :) I was off and feeling good. My play list started with Meet Me Halfway and I was pumped. It was hot but the good thing was this course was in a big park and mostly shaded by trees!

I tried to only focus on myself but it's hard not to notice power walkers passing you. I'd estimate my first mile was around a 4.8-5.0 mph. The water station was at the 1.5 mile mark and I thought it'd never come! I started regretting not carrying my water with me but I finally reached it.

I debated walking though the water stop but I just grabbed my cup and kept going. At this point I felt good enough to know I'd at least still be running until mile 2. I reached the mile 2 marker and if I had to guess my second mile pace was probably around 4.8 but slowed to 4.6 toward the end.

I thought to myself "one mile to go!" I felt pretty good about running the whole thing. I forgot my damn watch so I had no idea what my time was looking like. I didn't want to increase speed much and fatigue so I just maintained.

The course looped so I passed the water station again and snuck another cup. I saw someone else do it so I felt like it was okay. :)

That last mile seemed to last forever. The was a sign that said "Finish" with an arrow around a bend but let me tell you, it was not around the bend. It was another quarter mile at least which sucked but I kept pushing. I decided I was not going to sprint at the end until the finish was in sight.

Based on my play last I had a feeling I was around 35 min. at this point.

I'd say my third mile was around a 4.5 pace.

I saw that 3 mile sign in sight and tried to speed up a touch. Once I saw the finish I sprinted at about a 5.5 to the end. I saw the clock at 38 and change which sunk my heart a bit but I knew I had to pick it up. I crossed at 38:56 but after deducting our 16 second late start I clocked in at:

38:40!

Very happy with myself that I never stopped to talk and that is about one minute and forty seconds faster than my last race.

I won't lie that I felt a bit sad I didn't hit the 37 but my friend Mary told me I should be really proud of that time and that each time I'll shave off more.

My next 5k is in two weeks. Can I shave off 50 seconds to a minute? Possibly...it all depends. I will run and work on speed and hope my stomach feels better that day. The heat is a huge factor and I can't wait to see what time I pull in October for the Race for the Cure 5k.

So in the end I am pumped and proud of myself!

Shoe review? Comfortable and I didn't even notice them the entire run which is a good thing. I knew running with a new pair of shoes was risky but it worked out.

I'll post with some photos later on...maybe...lol.

I'll color your world blue.

I am feeling pretty upset today. Nothing related to my weight loss or health. Other reasons I can't really post about here. I am thinking of making this blog locked so only people following can read so I can be more open. You never know who could find my blog...


What it comes down to is the feeling of being useless to a pretty big part of my life. I had to walk away for a bit today and just cry. I have this quote written on a post-it on my desk "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Well unfortunately I gave consent this morning. I am still feeling that way. Trying to give my self the internal pep talks but it's hard.

The main thing I keep telling myself is that next year at this time I'll be in a better place. That actually just made me think of another quote I love, "No matter how good or bad a situation is, it will change."

In other more positive news...

I am almost done with week 8 of C25K! I have one more 28 min. run and then I will have three 30 min. runs to finish off in week 9. I am so proud of myself for getting though this. Last year I did it for a few weeks and quit. This year I am seeing it though and even going to be doing two 5Ks in June! I also want to give a shout out to my friend Jen who is also doing it and nearing the end. We started at the same time and I think it's been a big help of us both pushing it through it and motivating each other.

So far my week points-wise has been good. I had a night snack last night which to be honest I almost forgot about. Kind of scary. I need to account for those points and move on. I believe come Saturday I will have 24 unused WAP and AP which is pretty sweet.

I weighed myself today and I was down from Saturday which rules and I still have three days to kick some butt. I am really hoping for a 3lb loss but knowing that aunty flow is around the corner I can't be that optimistic.

Well I better get back to work.

Oh one last thing! I started getting back into reading Harry Potter again and I'm really into Prisoner of Azkaban now. I can't wait to finish! We live near the Universal parks and Harry Potter world opens soon! We prob. won't go until October though. :)