5k run!

            So it took a couple of days but, here it is! The race I did was called Harmageddon located in New Harmony IN. I guess there was also a mountain bike race but since I cannot ride a bike I obviously skipped out on that one and just did the 5k. A 5k is about 3.1 miles, however it can vary a little with different races. My race happened to be a trail race, which I have no experience in. There were hills… HILLS! I have NO hill training whatsoever.

            Since I’m normally so scatter brained I decided to make an outline just for this blog! First I will tell you some good things and then some bad things pertaining to the race. First off, like previously mentioned, it was a trail race and I have had no trail training. I run on a paved path through town that has absolutely no hills. This made the run pretty hellish. I actually had to walk up a few; a lot of people were walking up them though so I don’t feel too bad about it. I think I could have done a lot better time-wise though if I hadn’t walked… obviously. I did like it though! Even though it was hard it was nice, hotter than blue blazes though. I think it got up and over 100º! We were running in the shade though so even though it sucked, it could have been much worse. Even though I was complaining about the hills earlier, let me just say; I LOVED them too. I like a running challenge and this was challenging! I’m still sore enough that I don’t know if I’ll be able to run today. I need to do more hill challenges.

            My time!!!! So I think I wrote that I would have loved to do it in 33min but would settle for under 40 and in my journal I wrote that I was shooting for 36. Well, let me tell you, I did it iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin… 35min and just under a second!!!! I was so stoked! Here is a picture of me running!

I look pretty stoked eh? Over all I’d say this was one of the hardest runs I’ve ever done in my entire life, but I LOVED it. I had so much fun running with my dad and co. The first mile for me was the best and the second two were beasts. I averaged about 11.3-12min miles, ran it in 35.03ish min and did 3.1 miles! I can’t wait to continue doing more and more races! I will be shooting for a 10k in the fall and possibly a half marathon in the spring!  

5k run and current running update

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day! I'm supposed to be cleaning today, got one room done and am taking a slightly longer than necessary break. I figured I'd do a current running update, since all you guys read about it if stuff I've already done and also just whatever else is going on in my life that I feel like blogging about today.
Topic 1- Fleas
We have them because of a cat we had for like a week...

Topic 2- 5K this weekend and a treadmill run
I'm running a 5K this weekend with my dad and some close family friends. I'm pretty stoked! I ran on the treadmill the other day so I could see how quick I could run a mile. This is was a mistake! One hour on the treadmill is like hell. It's boring. Really really really REALLY boring. Like crazy boring. I was at the YMCA in my home town, which means all you can do is watch people play basketball in the gym and obsessively watch your time. That's all I did! I stared at the timer and calculated how long until each minute walk. I averaged 11min miles in the end, which is decent, but I wanted to do 10min miles. I guess I can't complain too much, I just started running two months ago, but still, it was disappointing. What sucks is 2min into my warmup walk I knew the run was going to be boring and crappy. The only fun thing was that my grandpa was at the Y too. He was walking on the track and took a picture of me while I was on the treadmill.
Now, on a more positive note! The 5k! Like I said earlier: running with the ol pap and co. I'm so excited I could shit myself! I haven't actually done a race since I was like 13 and my mom had me run a 5k and then a triathlon. I am shooting for under 40min. I would have liked to do 33 or under, but I need to be realistic here, I am the pokey puppy! This sucks because if I'm running with my dad and co he will want to run faster (he gets competitive) and I will probably die of exhaustion. I threw up after the last 5K... Apple Jacks! Yummy!

Topic 3- C210K-5K review
I'm actually almost done with my C210K program, which is part of the reason I'm doing a current blog instead of a journal entry from two months ago. I'm running week 10 day 1 later today. I would have done it this morning, but I got a late start so I'm running when it cools down, assuming it doesn't storm a bunch. SO running running running! Anyone that does the program or does C25K knows what's up. You run a certain time and then the nice voice comes on and tells you to walk and then run again. It's very convenient and a great way to get you going. I will say however, the last run of the program is only 40min and then you're read to run 6.2 miles... That's like 6.5 min miles!!! I cannot do one mile that fast! 10min miles are hard for me! So while the program is a great introduction to running, it doesn't really properly train you for a 10k.The C25K actually does prepare you a little better. Their final run is a more realistic 30min run, but still You may run for 30min, but do a 11-12 minute mile, which means you still aren't doing a full 3.1 miles. With all of this said, I still highly recommend it, especially if you hate running. I used to. I LOVE running now though! It's so fun and I look forward to my runs! It also melts fat off of you! The programs seriously do help get you into running. The first exercise of 10k is something like run 30 sec walk for 4 min 30 sec and repeat! Easy easy! I can't remember how much this app costs, but it's worth it!
I would rate the C210K a B+ and the reason it's a B+ and not higher is because I think it's a little misleading and not really a good training program but rather a great introduction to get you running. The other reason is that towards the end of the run it seems like the creators realized they were running out of time and the run times got higher quicker. There is a jump from a 10min run to 20 in a day. Then you have three weeks to work up to a 40min run; doable but not easy. But again a fun and easy way to get you started running. I would suggest once you finish to then spend some time working on distance before you try and run 6 miles. I'm shooting for a 10k in August, I'll let you guys know how that goes.
Now a C25K review. I would give this program an A. It's only 9 weeks long and then end distance is more realistic than the 10K's version. There still is a 10min jump towards the end, however for the most part it doesn't feel too rushed at the end. It's another great introduction to running and, as mentioned earlier, it prepares you for a 5k better than the 10K app does (as long as you get do 10min miles).

The biggest problem with both of these programs is, if you are a relatively slow runner (like me), you are running the time, but not the distance. Unless you are running on a treadmill or you have something to track your mileage, you can't really be sure you're running the right speed. If you run on a treadmill or have a good way to track your mileage, I'd suggest just using an online C25k version that has you train by miles and not time. However I do like this program and intend to keep running for as long as I can and work on my distance!

Have a lovely day! I'm off to finish my domestic rampage!

5/18
Accidentally did the wrong run and my pedometer is broke. Yesterday I tried to run but couldn't because I had on too many sports bras on so I couldn't breath... Because I couldn't breath I got stomach cramps from HELL!!!! Then I had to pee. Haha pretty shitty. So I ran this morning and it was MUCH better! Tomorrow I'm skipping  week 3 day 2 and doing 3.3 since I don't htink 30 seconds makes a difference. (This is based on how easy my run was and hopefully by 4 I won't die).
The RUN!
I ran at 10-10:15. It was pretty easy. I added some music, which made the run easier. I figured out if I do get cramps that if I breath in for three and out for three it goes away after a bit. Also the boy ordered me an armband so I don't have to carry around my phone anymore! On a random note, I found an old picture of myself and I was soooooo much bigger! Yikes!
END

Short entry today. Sorry its been a while, I've been reading a bunch (The Shining by Stephen King, if you haven't read it you should!). I took a little three day break from running because it's been so hot here and it hadn't rained in forever, but I finally cowgirled up and ran.
Instead of a running tip today I decided to talk about a running "problem": Chaffing. Gross? Yes. Sucks? YES! I have thunder thighs of doom! They have gotten smaller since I started running, but they still rub like it's no one's business. Nothing is worse than getting half way through your run and your legs start chaffing so bad they bleed a little... It's soooooooo gross! Obvious solution is to wear longer shorts... But nothing feels better than wearing the shortest pair of running shorts I can get a hold of! This presents two problems: chaffing, as mentioned earlier, and me looking pretty unflattering. So far I've not really figured out any solutions, however I think once I get a chance I'm going to pick up some body glide and until then try petroleum jelly. We shall see!