5k Saturdays with the Family

I have to admit that I have been slacking this last week.  Not only did I sign up for the 100 Mile challenge for the month, but, I have not run a long distance in quite a long while.  Tomorrow it's looking like I have a reason to do so.  At least it's still early so I can catch up a bit this coming week.  I have been facing some health issues that had me totally baffled.  As it turns out, it's totally natural and I'm just getting older... I didn't think that would actually happen.  Strange to think of myself as old enough to have to deal with the early stages of menopause.  It makes perfect sense though.  The fatigue, the mood swings and irritability, everything.  So I will have to find something to help with that.

With this in mind, it's all the more reason for me to get out there and run.  Thursday found me getting off of work in a very irritated mood.  I had got a text from my dad asking where my little goose was, since she was due over at his house that afternoon.  Come to find out that she had gone home and was sorry but there was no way to let anyone know... I shall have to fix this now.  I was mad that she had forgotten, but, got over it.  She was more worried about getting into trouble than what I thought she should be.  So, before dinner, I headed out for a quick mile and a half run.  I had to get out and clear my thoughts.  I was sure I was going to lose it.  I was so upset.  It was a nice run.  I was mad that I was having so many problems with my shins, but for this run, I was focusing on where my heel strike was hitting.  As a woman who has been taught to march, I have a strong hard heel strike and this is part of the problem that I have with my shins.  So, I focused on form and overall I can say it was a good run.  It's not like I was angry so much once I was done.  So yay.

This morning, I got to do a local run, a 5k with my family.  My husband was still at work, so it was me and my parents and my little goose, as well as a friend from my running group and a few new friends as well.  The morning was lovely.  I was so happy to be outside.  I had chosen to wear the shorts that didn't work so well for me on the last race, the half, figuring that 3 miles won't be too bad and I can avoid the chaffing.  Turns out that was a bad decision and one that I will not repeat again.  I'm tired of that shit!  
The Amazing Jean! First in her age group.. oldest female runner today! She's super!

The air horn sounded and we were off.  We started an hour later than the half marathon did, and in a different location.  I was towards the middle of the pack, thinking I would let the teenagers sprint out of the way first.  I did pretty good that first mile.  I kept a good pace, in fact, since most of it was down hill, I just kept trying to remember to use that momentum to keep myself going.  As long as I'm going downhill, keep running.  Don't stop until you have to.  I was able to keep my dad going with that sentiment as well.  We were able to run that first mile together at a 10:36 pace.  I was so excited about that!  The second mile I walked more than I ran.  I was upset with myself about that one, but, what can I do about it now but try harder next time.  That second mile was a good one, there were plenty of people along the route cheering us on.  I was keep a good pace with a few ladies around me.  They would pass me and then I would pass them.  Towards the end, I tried to just not let anyone else pass me.  I wanted to finish.  

For that last mile, I was going uphill the whole way.  This part was brutal.  I keep walking and then running and then walking and then running.  I kept trying to see my dad ahead of me but I was far behind him by this point, I was sure I was going to be horrible in my time finishing.  I had no expections of a time, I just wanted to have a good base line, it's been a while since I have done a 5k.  And then two that I have done, I was trying to avoid people walking the whole way, so this was a good one for me.  I knew that coming into the last half mile or so, I didn't want to stop to walk, but I ended up walking a little bit.  Once I got to the row of teenage boys on the football team cheering me on, I didn't stop.  I can't lie and say it was easy, that last bit still so hard to do since it was uphill.  I smiled as I passed these nice young men.  My number for the race was 69.  I laughed at that, but, one of the young men made a comment about it and I just turned around and yelled, That's Right!  I pushed hard for the last little bit to make it to the top of that hill to make it to the finish line.  I stopped my watch as I crossed the line and it was under 39 minutes.  I am pretty sure that's a PR for me.  

My dad was standing there with a water and a hug for me.  I was wiped! I had a hard time breathing today, and that was after I had my inhaler, so who knows on that one.  About a minute or two later, my mom hit the finish line as well.  She was funny and she had such a great smile across her face!  I was pretty proud of both of my parents, they were awesome today.  Next was waiting for my little goose.  She was a bit behind my mom, though they started off together.  Little Goose finally came into view and I started to cheer for her and yell at her to keep going, you can do it.  She saw me and my parents and started to run.  I was so pleased with her crossing the line.  She worked so hard and was spent when she got done.  

Our times for each of us were my dad hit 37 minutes, I was at 39, my mom at 40 and my little was 48 minutes.  My dad took first in his age group, my mom third in her age group, I was 7th in mine and little goose was 5th in her age group.  While she was upset that she didn't get a medal, I was ok with where I stand.  I have to admit, there are a lot of women in my age group, so 7th is good for me.  

I am not sure about what is next for the group of us, I am trying to convince them to do the RnR Arizona 5k with me next year.  I am pretty sure I can get them to do that with me.  I am debating the full or the half.  I don't know yet.  I would love to do the full, but, thus far, I am feeling good about a half.  I need to start adding more of that distance to my runs on the weekends.  I long for that kind of endurance.  I also want to do the Tough Mudder next year as well, but, I am searching for a team now.  Or at least someone else who would be my partner for it.  Thus far I have not found anyone interested but, you never know, it could happen.  

So that was end of my week.  I have slacked for two weeks and not hit my weekly goal, and I have to up that goal now to hit the 100 miles.  It's the only way I know of that would enable me to make sure I am able to get to my goal of 1000 miles this year.  I like that I have to work hard for it, but, I also like that I have to focus and set goals in order to get there.  It's the reward of accomplishing it that I love.  The medals at the end are just a bonus.. but I like that bonus.  I am hoping for a long run in the morning, but, I am not sure what will happen.  

Until Tomorrow Comes~




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