Raincross 5K in Riverside

Today I did a 5K and it made me realize how far I came.  This race was the one I did last year, my very first experience with the whole running thing.  I remember last year I hadn't even reached a mile and I was huffing and puffing and feeling very slow with people running past me.  This year I felt strong and confident...still huffing and puffing, though.  I've decided that comes with running...at least for me at this point.  Maybe after I've lost about 20 more pounds I'll huff and puff less...maybe.  This time I reached that mile marker and realized, hey, I can keep going...I can keep running!  I did slow down to take a drink - I haven't mastered the art of running and drinking at the same time...coordination issue, I guess.  This 5K has a pretty good hill after running past Lake Evans in Fairmount Park here in Riverside.  It was a much better day today too with lots of sunshine.  I had good intentions of running up the hill, but then I came to my senses and just went up at a good brisk pace.  We traveled up the hill and through the beautiful historic homes here in Riverside.  It's a very nice course.  It made me realize how long some of these races I've done are - it seemed a bit like a sprint!  Who would have thought 3 miles would ever seem like a sprint!  haha  I reached 2, then 2 1/2 miles and rounded the corner to the finish line.  It was a nice little race for me...I've come a long way.

Next week 10K!  :)

This past weekend, as you know, I did a 10K in Coronado (San Diego).  It was an absolutely beautiful day and actually a little warm.  We were lucky enough to stay at a hotel that was right by the start of the race, so we were able to get up and walk, instead of having to stress out about finding parking and directions and all the usual race morning stressors.  That was nice.  There were quite a few people doing this race, which made for a bit of frustration at the start of the race, with people trying to get through the start line crowd, through spaces that didn't really exist.  Oh well, that's just one of those things you have to put up with.

At last the run started with the route taking us through the grass at Tidelands Park with a great view of the beautiful Coronado bridge with the sun shining brightly overhead.  I started out at a pretty good pace, thinking that it was a bit fast to keep up for 6 miles.  The route led as past a golf course and down a street with beautiful homes in Coronado.  Volunteers were on the route, cheering us on.  As I reached mile 2 or so, I saw the leaders of the race coming back, which was a little discouraging, but inspiring at the same time.  They were like gazelles with their long strides and they just flew by.  I know I'll never be fast like they are, but I hope that as I continue on my journey I will get faster and stronger and be able to fly too - in my own way.  By mile 3, it was getting a little warm, as we reached the Silver Strand and the Navy base on Coronado and our turnaround point.  We ran along the water by the boats - it was a great sunny day.  We reached the houses once again and I was feeling pretty good, looking forward to getting to mile 4 and mile 5.  The volunteers were there cheering us on - not sure what I would do without them and I appreciate their support so much.  By mile 5, I was hurting and feeling a bit of a side ache.  I kept thinking, push through the pain, push through the pain - easier said than done!   I was also thinking it's not just 6 miles, it's 6.1 miles!  It's the 0.1 that will really test your resolve.  My side ache gradually subsided and I felt strong as I passed the golf course and went under the bridge and the water of the harbor came into view.   I know my resolve is never to walk the last mile of a race - sometimes that is REALLY hard.  I rounded the corner and the park came into view.  I ran over the grass and the volunteers were there to tell me, you're almost there, just a little bit further!  I pushed it and turned on that end of race speed (or something like that) and saw the finish line.  Before I knew it, I was crossing the finish line and they were handing me a medal!  What a great feeling of accomplishment and that familiar feeling of "let's do it again" (after a good rest) came over me.

Oh...did I mention the mile markers were shaped like hearts?  LOL.  Can't wait until my next race. :)

10K tomorrow in Coronado

Tomorrow I'm doing a 10K in Coronado in beautiful San Diego.  I am looking forward to it, although I hope I'm feeling better tomorrow than I am today.  Part of running is dealing with pain - whether it's pain from the actual running itself or from the way you're feeling that day.  You might wake up with a migraine or an upset stomach or a sore back or whatever.  But you go anyway and push through the pain.  This should be fun, the mile markers are going to shaped like the heart candies, since it's for Valentine's Day...LOL. 

So all of you runners, walkers, people over 40 (and under 40 too) trying to get in shape, I invite you to run this with me - you don't have to do a 10K, a 5K, 1K or anything that constitutes moving will do too.  Or toast my run with a bottle of water for each mile will do!  Cheers!  :)

Sorry, I've neglected my blog.  :(  Today I felt great, I ran about 5 miles...almost without stopping.  It's a mystery to me why you can get that "runner's high" sometimes, but not always.  Runner's pain, runner's discouragement, runner's exhaustion...but not runner's high.  (I could go on and on about the negative things, but I'll spare you the list.)  But, I felt really good.

Yesterday I did about 4 miles (both of these days were on the treadmill).  I'm trying to figure out why treadmill running is easier for me.  Controlled conditions?  Treadmill taking some of the slack?  I don't know..maybe it's the lack of intimidation of distance.

The day before yesterday I went running with the hubby again.  I felt a bit discouraged.  Running seems to come naturally to him.  His long strides and body that isn't many pounds overweight probably helps.  Anyway, I let the discouragement get to me...and then I just let him go and tried to concentrate just on me and my little legs taking me as fast as I am able. 

Tomorrow will be my last day before taking a couple days off before the 10K on Sunday. 

San Diego harbor/Seaport village run

One of the things I have come to love about running/walking is being able to go places, go out and run/walk and experience things first hand.  Yesterday I went running down in San Diego, at the harbor and Seaport Village.  One thing I noticed was that other people who were running were pretty fit and, well, young.  But I didn't let that stop me.   I ran through the crowds of people, marveled at the beautiful view of the harbor and the skyline of San Diego.  I ran past the shops, the performers, the Pedacabs, and the lady who talked to her shopping cart.  I admired the Midway,  an aircraft carrier turned museum, and smelled the great food of the many restaurants.  It was a fantastic run and a great experience. 

But I definitely did not have any delusions about beautiful surroundings making running any easier.

I'm wondering, though, after all the running/walking I've done, why running doesn't come any easier.  Hmmm...hopefully I'll figure that out.  Next week we're doing a 10K in Coronado, so this week will be about preparation.

This weekend I'm on my way to a running paradise, otherwise known as San Diego.  My husband has to be there for business, so I'll be attempting to be one of the many runners you see down by the harbor in beautiful San Diego.  It's going to be a little chilly, but I have found I definitely prefer that to a blistering hot day.  Just hoping I don't get lost or my run/walk will be a little further than I plan.  Need to do 6 miles because of the 10K we're running next week, which will also be in San Diego, in equally beautiful Coronado.  This running stuff is definitely getting to be a happy habit.  ;)

See you on the jogging trails! 

A little encouragement...goes a long way

Last night, February 7, my husband and I went out for our run (ahem, walk), about 3 miles.  As usual, I was struggling to keep up with him.  But I kept passing this wonderful lady, who first said to her friend, Look, they're running!  At first I thought, what does that mean exactly?  Of course I interpreted that as saying we (or at least, I) didn't look like we should be running.  When I came around again and passed her, she gave me a big smile and two thumbs up!  My negative thoughts were erased and a feeling of encouragement made me try to run faster....try being the key word.  I came around again and she said, You're amazing!  Well, that was so fantastic!  When you're huffing and puffing and feeling like every part of you is jiggling with each step you need any kind of encouragement you can get!!!  I felt inspired and energized by this lady who took the time to give me a little encouragement...that went a long, long way.  ;)

If only my desire to run equaled my ability to run!  Ah well, I guess that's what this is all about, right?  The journey continues...

Update on last night's run

Well, last night made me feel like I had never run before.  My hubby is a little too fast for me.  I've discovered that I don't really get warmed up until the 3rd mile. 

I was supposed to go out today, but we're taking the night off.  So nothing new to post.  Tomorrow's a new day.  :)

P.S. TO TODAY'S BLOG

Today's plan is to go out into the relatively cold So Cal night and run 4 miles with my much better shape husband...will keep you posted on how that goes. 

Not really the first day of my journey...

A little background history...

Actually, the first day of my journey began in February of 2012.  My daughter had texted my husband asking if he wanted to run a half marathon with her in November of that year in her home town of San Diego, the Silver Strand.  Well, my little out of shape ears perked up and I said, wait, I can do that.  Now, my husband works out all the time and is in wonderful shape, so naturally he would have been the one she would ask.  Imagine her surprise when her overweight, out of shape mother was the one who said YES!  So the journey begins...and a love affair with 5Ks , 10Ks, and, yes, a half marathon.

Also in February I ran my first 5K.  Wow, was that hard!  But I was hooked.  I went on to do more 5Ks, a 10K, and then in November I ran the Silver Strand with my daughter...well, about an hour behind her.  I am now completely hooked on all things running.  I'm still overweight and I still don't run very fast, but I've come a long way.  I also ran the Carlsbad half in January.  Oh the pain....and still the addiction continues.

But just recently I've decided, at my...ahem....young age of 48, that my goal is to run a full marathon.  Yes, a FULL marathon.  I plan to do it on or before my 50th birthday.  On my birthday would be great.  So this blog will document my journey hopefully to that accomplishment.  Let the running begin!  :)