Ringing in The Spring 5K

It is race day!!! I am trying something new. I am going to write this blog before I see my official time because too often I let my official time effect my mood when I write these things. My new attitude is my time is interesting to see, but the bigger deal is that I am off of my couch doing something to work on my health and fitness.

The race was at 9:00 this morning in Valpo. It started at the YMCA and then weaved through a hilly neighborhood. Last Wednesday Diane and I did a practice run of the route, which helped me greatly. I knew where the killer hills were and I knew when I was about half way done (thanks Diane!). Right before the race Cathy asked me if I wanted to borrow her watch (thanks!), and so I now must go back on what I said after my last race. Last time I went off of feeling and thought that was the way to go, but now that I ran this race with the watch, I think that is the way to go. I did a 2/1 interval and felt like I was pushing myself a lot harder during the runs. The watch also helped me keep my breaks to a minimum. Anyway, the race was good. It started off with very light rain, but as the race went on the rain got heavier and heavier, which you know if you saw my facebook pictures. I felt great during the whole race except for at the end when a little kid sprinted passed me and some guy asked me if I was going to let that happen, so I sped up and got a stitch in my side, but it was still funny and made me laugh :) I really enjoyed this race. The set-up was good, it was close by, and the course (though hilly) was beautiful. It will be on my calendar for next year for sure.

On another note, I changed my exercise plan a bit this week. I am still going to do my Monday, Wednesday, Saturday runs and I have added a mile walk around my neighborhood every night after dinner, however I have stopped Zumba (it was time to pay again and I am poor). As far as dieting goes, I have started watching what I eat better, but am not going to put myself on any specific strict diet that I know I won’t stick to. It’s all about gradual weight loss people that will last. I lost about 5 pounds last week, which I believe was due to all the evening walking.

Next race will be Share Your Soles at Soldier Field on May 23rd.

Happy Running!
Sally

PS. OK the official times are in and I ran it in 41:13. My fastest 5K time is 38 and slowest is 42 so this is about right.