I Ran My First 5k!!!

So this morning was my first ever 5k - the 18th Annual River to Bay 5k in Victorian Island Heights, NJ. To say I was nervous would have been an understatement. Yesterday, I was practically jumping out of my skin all day. I got lots of great encouragement from my coach, friends, family and tweeters, so I filed that away to push myself on the run this morning. I wanted to get a look at the course, because someone had mentioned to me that Victorian Island Heights was pretty hilly (yikes!), so I headed out there yesterday afternoon and drove the course. It was fairly flat, but there was one big hill, right after the mile two marker, and I knew it would be my nemesis.

After taking twice as long to get home as it had taken to drive there (um, why did I decide to go anywhere on a rainy Friday afternoon at the beach??), I tried to get myself ready. I packed a bag of the things I would want, a sweatshirt that would stay dry in the car in case I got soaked, a protein bar and a banana, some water, my race confirmation, etc. I set out my clothes for the morning - my running tights, socks, sneakers, tee shirt, fleece and shorts in case it ended up being warmer than I thought. I checked the forecast about fifty times, and it always said the same thing - at 10am, 58 degrees, with a 50% chance of rain and 75% humidity. Ah humidity.

I was happy that I knew where the course was, and that I'd run in the rain before, but I was still nervous. I wanted to leave my house by 7:45 this morning, just to make sure I got there in plenty of time.

When I arrived, it was pouring - lovely. As I drove into the parking lot, I rolled down my window to talk to one of the guys directing traffic, and he said "You look like a runner!" Sweet. I have arrived.

I parked P MINI and headed into registration, which had opened early. One of the guys manning registration thought I looked like a "Carol" (really?), but we sorted out my actual name and I got my bag (plus free tee shirt! And free pens - I love free pens, they're all I write with!). My race number was 101. Now it was official - no turning back!

I cooled my heels in the car for a while, listening to some pump up music, trying to read the paper to distract myself, and posting updates and thank you's on twitter/Facebook. I heard the starting gun go off for the 1mile fun run, and 1mile health walk, and knew we were the next to go. With about half an hour to go, I found some pins to attach my number with, and hit the ladies room (along with almost every other woman there) before I walked over to the starting line. I saw that a lot of people had their headphones on, so I was really glad that I'd brought mine. I knew my playlist would calm me down and make me think it was just like any other run.

I backed up a bit in the group, because I wanted to make sure I wasn't run over right away! Everyone's advice was to start slower than I thought I should be running, because adrenaline would make me want to go faster, and I'd tire myself out too quickly. As we got closer and closer to race time, I could definitely feel the adrenaline racing and my heart pumping - I was so nervous!

Finally, the starting gun sounded and we were off! I forced myself to run a bit slower than I wanted to, and focused on leading with my hips, as per Miss Ive's suggestion. My body felt great for a change, which I think was definitely adrenaline! It was still raining a little, but that kept me cool and I just settled in for the run. A lot of people were passing me, but I knew I'd pass a lot of people later on because I was playing it smart and starting slower.

At the end of mile 1, I was at 10:47 - not bad, but not great. I knew I could run faster than that, but I also knew that I had that big hill coming up, and I didn't want to tire myself out too quickly and be forced to walk. So I just kept going and sticking with my pace and after about another half a mile, a lot of people started walking. I was happy that I was still running and it seemed my playlist knew I needed some great songs, so that kept me going too.

Mile 2, I was at 21:51, so I had an 11:04 pace for mile two. Again, could have been faster, but I was happy that I was still running and feeling pretty good. My hip was feeling a bit sore by this point, but with the rain, that's to be expected! Then, the dreaded hill was coming up...

My sister had pointed out to me yesterday that at least I knew it was coming, so I was grateful for that. A guy next to me sped up so that he could reach the top faster, but I knew that it would kill me if I did that, so I just tried to keep my pace up. My goal was to run the entire race, no matter what speed, so I focused on that and before I knew it, I was at the top! That same guy who sped up had to stop for a coughing fit, and I ended up passing him.

So then, it was all downhill (some of it literally). I knew I only had 1.1 miles to go, so I sped up as much as I could. After another 1/2 a mile, I was at 28:38, which meant I'd run half a mile in 6:27, a bit slow, but again, not bad. I really started to push myself and soon enough, I could see the finish line! There were a lot of people standing there and cheering as the runners came in and I could see one guy ahead of me. I really pulled out all the stops and ran as fast as I could past that guy (who turned out to be 64 years old) into the finish!! I unfortunately missed my official time, but since the race results are up already, I know that it was 32:47 - yay!! That puts me at a 10:33 pace, which is slower than my run on Wednesday, but considering it was a course I'd never run before, and there was that big hill, I'm very happy with it!

So out of 260 people, I came in 195th, placed 77/115 women, and 9/15 in my age group. I'd say that's pretty darn good!

Now, I can rest, but only for a little while, because tomorrow, is 5k #2 - the Hot Pursuit fun run, which I'll be running in with my brother-in-law. Apparently, he's nervous that I'll beat him...but he's a former marine, and a corrections officer, so really, the odds of that happening are slim to none. I just hope it's flat...

And a BIG THANK YOU goes out to all of my friends and family who have been so unbelievably supportive of me during this whole running process! I couldn't have done it without you!

A Great Run with a Disappointing Finish

Yesterday, one of my running friends mentioned that she really hadn't felt like running, but she went anyway.  I sympathized with her, because I've definitely had days like that before, but nothing like today.  When I woke up this morning, I REALLY didn't want to go for a run.  I didn't know if it was that after completing the couch potato program, I mentally finished with running, or if I was just tired, but I was super unmotivated.  Instead of giving up entirely, I told myself I'd run at lunch, put on my running clothes and hoped that motivation would come.  

It helped that the weather was beautiful today, warming up to the low fifties by one, and fortunately, Coach J checked in with me to see what my plan for running was this week.  It gave me the push I needed to make sure I got in my run today and he suggested that I just get out there and run for 35 minutes to see how far I could get.  Since I was so sure I was already running three miles, I thought it would be great to see how much further I could get in five more minutes.  I took a pedometer with me (one I'd used in training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and it was admittedly faulty then) and just focused on running.  I also made sure to check the landmarks where I started, turned around and finished, so that I could check the mileage later with my car.  

I think Monday runs might be my favorite, surprise surprise.  It's got to be because my body has had two days of rest, so it's not as tired when I get out there.  And I think I might run at lunchtime whenever I can, because I really think the run goes better when I do.  Today's run was great.  I ran further than I've ever run before, and other than a pesky cramp in my side for the second half, I felt great.  I paced myself so I would be able to finish the whole 35 minutes without wanting to keel over.  So when I finished, I was sure I'd run way more than three miles.  I checked my pedometer, which said about 2.95.  

Hmm.  

Then I remembered all the trouble I'd had with it before the Avon walk, so I told myself not to be disappointed and wait for the official distance when I tracked it with my car.  Disappointment averted.

After posting on Facebook about my pedometer, another running friend suggested I check out Map My Run, which let me find my town and map out the actual route that I run - very cool!  However, when I did this, it told me that I only ran just over 3.1 miles, which is what I'll need to run to do my 5k.  And it deduced that I'm running about a 11:06 mile pace, which is slower than I thought.  I still figured I'd check the distance with my car, which I did, and it came back with the same result.  

Bummer!

I thought I had been running longer and faster - who would have thought I'd be disappointed with a 3.1 mile, 35 minute run?  

I chatted with Coach J afterwards, and he reminded me to look back at my first blog, when running for 60 seconds felt like forever, and five minutes was impossible.  He also pointed out that it wasn't that long ago either.

Oh yeah.

I had forgotten so quickly what a big accomplishment (for me anyway) that three miles is.  I did remember when I was running, and passed the 20 minute mark that not so long ago, I was thinking there was no way I'd be able to run 20 minutes without ending up collapsed on the side of the road.  And now I can run almost twice as long and feel great.  I'm still on the journey to becoming a longer distance runner, so I can't expect myself to be able to go out and run five miles yet - not that I thought I'd run five miles in 35 minutes, don't worry!  But I thought I could manage 3.5 miles.  I'm sure I'll get there.  

In other running news, I'm about to sign up for my second 5k! Yes, I know I haven't yet done my first 5k, but after running 5k today, I'm confident that I could do it.  The next three weeks will be all about getting comfortable with the distance, and trying to run a little bit faster (or maybe longer).  My brother-in-law found the second 5k I'll be doing, the Bergen County Police Hot Pursuit 5k Fun Run/Walk - he tells me that there's a tee-shirt, so he knew it would be a good race for me!  There's only one little catch - it's the day after my first 5k!  At first, I thought it would be silly to try to do back to back races, so I figured I would check with the expert.  Coach J thought it was a great idea, and told me to get out there and enjoy it, reminding me that it's only 30-35 minutes of running two days in a row  So that's the plan - first the Bridge to Bay 5k in Victorian Islands Heights (down here in south Jersey), and then the Hot Pursuit Fun Run (up in North Jersey).  Thinking about it makes me want to lie down and have some ice cream.  I don't suppose that will make me faster though...but I'll do it anyway.

Woo Hoo - the Couch Potato Plan is FINISHED!!

I can officially say that I've finished the couch potato plan.

Yay for me!  

So for anyone who might doubt their own ability to become a runner, it turns out that it IS possible to go from not running at all and HATING running to running three miles, three days a week!  Who knew? It feels like I've been running forever, but really, nine weeks ago, sixty seconds of running exhausted me and I felt like I would never be able to run even a full mile - now I can run three and I'm getting ready for my first 5k!!  I'm even hitting a ten minute pace - yes, I know that's not really THAT fast, but for me, the girl who ran her fastest mile senior year of college at over 12 minutes, it's a miracle.  

Oh, and did I mention that I actually *like* running now?  I might even love it?  I don't even recognize this girl!  Am I the same girl who took a gym sabbatical senior year of high school? (Admittedly, I was sick on and off, but I probably could have gone back sooner than I did).  The same girl who told her gym teacher freshman year of high school that she couldn't run the mile because of her asthma?  And now, not only am I running, but I'm liking it and even running in the rain?  Crazy!

This week was a bit wild, so I got away from my regularly scheduled blogs, but I did run Monday/Wednesday/Friday, doing 30 minutes without taking any breaks - not bad!  In fact, after Wednesday's run, I checked my distance and I thought I might be slightly under three miles.  So on Friday, I made myself run a bit longer just to make sure I was hitting my three-mile goal for the day.  I want to be prepared for my 5k in May!  When I started this program nine weeks ago, who would have guessed that on the last day I'd not only run the 30 minutes without complaining, but push myself further? Not this girl.

So on to the last two runs themselves: Wednesday's run was pretty good.  The first half was tough, but as soon as I turned around to head home at the halfway point, I felt myself settling into the run and feeling good. My goal all week was just to run the full time without having to take a walking break.  So whenever I felt myself getting really tired, I would just slow down and relax and it worked!  By the end of Wednesday's run, I felt great, not too sore, and happy to get two 30-minute runs in back to back.  On Thursday, I had a friend come to stay with me and after a great day of catching up, we headed out for a nice dinner.  I definitely ate WAY too much and when I went to bed, I kept thinking there was no way my poor body was going to want to run in the morning.  But I knew it was the last day of the plan, and I wanted to finish it - I never skipped a planned run the whole nine weeks! Which, by the way, is an accomplishment in and of itself.  I'm a chronic workout skipper - I can find an excuse to blow off any athletic activity.  So not only am I running three miles, but I never skipped a run in the plan - I ran in new places, I switched days and did back to back runs, all just to make sure I would get them all in.  Not bad!

So Friday morning rolled around, and I forced myself to get out of bed and into my running clothes.  It was a clammy morning, not ideal for enjoying running, but definitely good for a run.  I felt itchy during my warmup walk, like I just wanted to get started running and see how my body would feel.  I find more and more lately, I get itchy.  Itchy like I just want to be running. Mostly it happens during my warm up.  But sometimes, it happens on days when I'm running later on.  Or on off days.  I hear that itchiness is normal for runners, so I told myself I needed the warm up and that the running would start soon enough.  However, the minute I started running, my right achilles tendon started to protest.  It's been too tight all week, and Friday it decided to go on strike.  It was yelling at me - "no running, no running, NO RUNNING!"  

But I didn't stop! I figured it just needed a bit of time to warm up, so I kept my pace really slow (hence having to add extra time on to the end) and just kept pushing myself.  I figured that if it snapped, I would stop.  Fortunately, it didn't, and it loosened up enough that I could run without stopping for the entire 30+ minutes.  I'm paying for it now of course, but mostly only when I go up and down the stairs.  My hips on the other hand are feeling pretty good!  Lots of things feel sore when I'm running, but nothing dramatic or longlasting, which I feel is a great improvement!  Plus, I'm still sporting an awesome blister from the rain run, which makes me feel even more like a real runner (as a side note, I want to say how awesome Band-Aids blister bandaids are - they've made all post-blister-forming runs possible and relatively pain free!).

I feel like I should sum up everything I've learned since I started the couch potato program.  And I also suspect I should change my twitter profile from "learning to run" to "runner."  I think it's official now.  So what have I learned in the last nine weeks?

- Running isn't half bad!  Just kidding - actually it's great!  I think it might even be more great for me, because it's something that I had kind of always wanted to do but I faced this obstacle of really hating to run.  Starting slow, taking other people's advice, and focusing on the journey took me from struggling with 60 seconds of running to enjoying 3 miles of running.  It's one of the most tangible accomplishments in my life, and I am actually pretty proud of myself.  I can't wait to finish my first 5k.  The other day, I found a list I'd started of life goals.  On it was "Run a 5k." I'm so excited that soon I can cross that off my list and maybe add some new, tougher goals!

- I'm stronger than I thought I was.  I really, really, REALLY didn't think I'd be able to run without taking walking breaks.  I just didn't think I could manage it.  I'd never run the mile in school (from grade school all the way through college), without having to walk some of it.  I've never been particularly athletic.  I love yoga, but even that falls to the wayside in favor of things like sleeping or tv watching (yes, I really am a couch potato).  I do like to joke that I'm freakishly strong, because I can lift very heavy things despite the fact that I don't do any weight training.  But I wasn't so sure I could finish this program.  Which is why after I programmed all the workouts into my Outlook calendar, I never looked ahead more than the week in front of me.  I didn't want to psych myself out.  And here I am, nine weeks later, and I finished it!  It was just like Liz Waterstraat said - "Do the work. It will pay off."  It turns out that stubbornness and a plan works.

- Motivation is key.  For me, it wouldn't have been enough to say, I want to "lose weight" or "get healthy."  I needed to have specific goals along with my plan in order to give me a reason to get up and run.  Otherwise, I would have given up a long time ago.  I had a few goals, which I could rotate on any given day to dig deep and find the motivation I needed.  My first was training for the LBI 18-mile race in October.  I knew that if I couldn't finish the couch potato plan and regularly run three miles, I'd never stand a chance of running 18.  So somedays, my motivation was that I needed to move forward in my running so I wouldn't be falling behind in my training.  Then, I added in the goal of running in a 5k.  Because that fit in with the couch potato plan so nicely, and it was a much more manageable chunk of distance, it was easier to consider that I would actually make it to a 5k and finish it.  Especially once I signed up to do the Island Heights 5k, I knew I needed to make sure I stuck to my training!  I was also motivated to run after telling everyone on Facebook, Twitter and through this blog what I was up to and what the plan was.  Knowing that people would be watching and cheering me on made me feel accountable. A couple of days, I really didn't want to run, but I knew somebody would ask me how it had gone, so I knew I had to find it in myself to do it.  And of course, one of my main motivations has been my own innate stubbornness.  I don't like to fail.  This plan looked manageable to me, I had said I was doing it, and so gosh darnit, I was going to do it!  I was not going to let running beat me!! Plus, turning thirty next year reminds me that there were things I wanted to accomplish in my twenties, so I'd better get about doing them.  

- Get a coach.  Seriously.  Coach J has been a HUGE help to me throughout the whole process, and if it wasn't for his prodding, suggestions, nudging, cheerleading and expertise, I might have quit pretty early on.  It helped to feel accountable to a particular person, somebody who knew what the plan was and would know if I was skipping workouts.  Plus, whenever something wasn't going well, like my early trouble with feeling tired too quickly, the increase in migraines, my general aches and pains, he had suggestions and solutions that he knew worked from experience.  And his crazy workouts in preparation for various triathlons made my little runs seem clearly manageable (did I mention that he came in 140th out of 3000 in the Ochsner Ironman in New Orleans?!?!).  So if you're looking to run, find somebody who runs already and can pass along their experiences to you - it's made a big difference to me!

- Diet makes a huge difference.  No, I haven't given up brownies - though, come to think of it, I haven't had any in a while...don't worry, I've been supplementing with Ben & Jerry's and Hostess cupcakes.  But making sure I get enough protein is a big deal.  A big enough deal that now that I've focused on getting more into my diet, on days when I don't have enough protein, I can actually feel a difference.  I try to keep protein bars on hand for those days.  But in general, increasing the protein in my diet hasn't been a huge struggle, and in addition to helping my running (since protein fuels you for longer), it keeps my head clearer.  Plus, I actually enjoy finding ways to eat enough of it!  

- Running is a mood elevator.  On days when I wake up crabby, running works better than a cup of coffee.  Overall, it's boosted my mood in a big way - I feel like I'm doing something good for my body, so that helps my self-esteem and of course, new leg muscles are exciting!  I'm getting fresh air and sun (sometimes) for thirty minutes three days a week, which can help to get rid of the winter blahs that are rampant for me around March/April.  Plus, I get to see the ocean every time I run, and the ocean is the reason I moved here in the first place!  Running has given me a community of running friends online, who I feel like I've really bonded with and connection is always a good thing.  Setting out to achieve a goal and achieving it is very satisfying.  And the endorphins can't be beat!

- Like in life, there are good runs and bad runs.  I always thought that if I stuck to the plan, each run would just get progressively better.  Um, not so much.  While overall, I do feel stronger and have greater endurance, each run for me was different.  I've learned that that's true for all runners, and that a bad day has it's purpose, just like a good day.  The important thing is always that I've gotten out there and given it my best shot.  

So those are the couch potato to 5k lessons that I've learned.  I'm really looking forward to actually running in a 5k, and working towards my 18-mile LBI run.  But for right now, today, I'm just enjoying the fact that I'm really a runner.  And that surprises nobody more than me!

BEST. RUN. EVER.

I can now say that I have officially had my BEST. RUN. EVER!

After last week's tough series of runs, I wasn't sure I would ever be able to run and just love it. I had hoped to find that elusive runners' high again, but thought I might be doomed to a running career filled with sore hips and foot pain. Luckily, that didn't turn out to be the case!

When I woke up this morning, the first thing I heard was the wind. It was howling so loudly I thought, NO WAY am I getting up to run in this first thing. I knew I wanted to run today since my foot was feeling much better and I have a crazy schedule this week. But I figured I would put it off until lunchtime in the hopes that the wind would die down a bit. I even took the puppy for a walk first to get a sense of how strong it really was. And let me tell you, saying that it's "windy" doesn't even convey the strength that the wind is showcasing today. My poor basset hound's ears were permanently airborne on our fifteen minute walk and I could tell that I'd be battling the wind in every direction of my run. The wind had even managed to pick up the lid of my garbage can, tucked into an alcove next to my house, and blow it down the driveway and into the street. But I was hoping for the best.

So I looked at Barney the basset (who was sitting by the front door hoping for a second walk) and told him "Today is going to be an awesome run." Then I had to nudge him out of the way to get out the door. Attitude is everything, right?

As usual, the first five minutes weren't my favorite, but I knew I just had to settle into it and hang on. I had set my phone on 28 minutes and planned to look at it sparingly, focusing instead of how my body felt as I ran. Surprisingly, this has been much more effective than my previous five minute intervals plan. I didn't even look at the timer for the first six minutes, which would have been unthinkable six weeks ago. The wind didn't seem too bad on the first half either, mostly because it was at my back pushing me, and the smell of the sea air reminded me of why I love to run at the beach. Minus the wind, today was the perfect day to run!

The second half was a bit tougher, only because it was so windy I really thought I was running in place a few times. Once, my hat blew right off my head, and by the end of the run, the wind had wrapped my necklace around the wires of my headphones, almost strangling me. But despite those minor setbacks, my body felt good, only a little bit tired, and I was just so thrilled! I felt like I was really turning a corner today in my running career. Post-run, my foot is a bit sore again, so I'm definitely icing it, and today was warm enough that I was wishing for shorts - I wasn't sure I'd ever survive this winter to be able to say that! As if Champion was reading my mind, my new shorts arrived today in the mail while I was out running!

Speaking of my running career, today is also the day that I signed up for my first ever 5k! And there are no refunds, so barring any unforeseen illness or injury, I will be running in the 18th Annual River to Bay 5k on May 2nd in Island Heights, NJ. My key factor in picking this race (besides proximity) is that I will get a tee shirt. I think it's important to have a tee shirt to commemorate your first 5k. I mean, I still wear my Hamilton fencing tee shirt, and it's been more than ten years since I got it. I would wear my third place trophy if it wouldn't be entirely uncomfortable.

But anyway, I'm very excited and a bit nervous about the 5k, but I've had so much great feedback from my friends and family that I've got to believe I can do it! Now I've really got to get serious about my running!

To celebrate a great run today, I had a big glass of milk and a chocolate pudding when I got home. I've heard it's important to have some protein right after a run, so that's what I did. I'll be running here at home again Wednesday morning, but then Friday will mark the first time that I'm running out of town. I'll be attending the Legal Marketing Association's Annual Conference in National Harbor, Maryland from Wednesday to Friday night, so I'll have to run there. I think it's good practice, since I've never run anywhere but here, and obviously, I'll have to run somewhere else for my 5k. I'm driving down to the conference, so I'll have plenty of room for my sneaks and running clothes and I'm fairly sure that I'll be able to run outside there. Should be fun!