Preparing For My First 5K

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I fly home tomorrow, leaving me one day to prepare for my Saturday morning 5K. I'm planning now so I can stay relaxed before the race.

I fly home tomorrow, leaving me one day to prepare for my Saturday morning 5K. I’m planning now so I can stay relaxed before the race.

I’m running in my first 5k on Saturday. Now I’ve run in other 5k races, but this one is special. My goal is to run the entire race, something I haven’t done yet. I fly back home Thursday, yet I don’t feel anxious at all. In fact, I’m pretty relaxed about the race.

Well to keep this moment of zen going, I decided to take some time today to create a checklist of what I need to do the day before the race.  I’m keeping it simple.

Dot’s Pre-5K Race Checklist

  1. Pick up Race Bib & Packet – Friday morning I plan to head over to the race HQ and pick up my shirt, bib and race instructions. When I entered my first 5k two years ago, I picked up my packet the morning of the race. Bad move! It was an hour of waiting followed by 5 minutes of pure chaos as race staff tried to find my name. To make the morning perfect, I had to high tail it over to the starting line so as not to miss the start. Yikes! Never again.

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Weekly Weigh-In: Down 2; Total Loss 135 Pounds

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I'm down 2 lbs. this week and 135 pounds overall.

I’m down 2 lbs. this week and 135 pounds overall.

After a great week of intermittent fasting and running (finally), I saw continued progress on the scale. I’m down 2 pounds this week, putting my total weight loss at 135 pounds. I set a mini goal of getting out of the 190s before I meet with my doctor for my physical at the end of March. With just 0.4 lbs. to go it looks like I’ve got a shot.

The sun finally came out this week, melting much ice and snow. That meant the walking trails and sidewalks were clear, allowing me to restart my 5k training. I’ve got a month before my first race.

Right now I can run 1.5 to 2 miles. Occasionally I can hit 3 miles. If the weather holds for the next 4 weeks, I should be able to run 3 miles consistently by race day.

If you told me I’d get to a point in my life where I was itching to go out for a run, I’d laugh at you.

I guess under all that weight an athlete was itching to get out.

 

My First 5K, Mud Race Set

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Me, after walking in my first 5K -- The Brambleton Ribbon Race -- in 2013. I'm running in the 2015 Brambelton in 9 weeks.

Me, after walking in my first 5K — The Brambleton Ribbon Race — in 2013. I’m running in the 2015 Brambelton in 9 weeks.

It’s official. In a little over 9 weeks I’m running in a 5K race. April 18 is the 2015 Brambleton Ribbon Run. The 2013 Brambleton race was the first 5K I walked since starting this little journey. So it seems fitting that it is now serving as my first timed run.

I can’t tell you how excited I am. Having an real target date makes my goal of running a 5K very real. I now have something tangible to work towards. Once I registered, all of my workouts have a purpose. Regardless of how cold the weather turns, I don’t want to miss a run or a walk. The idea of missing a workout because its cold seems like a lame excuse and won’t help me get across the finish line.

Time To Get Dirty
In addition to my first 5K, I’ve also signed up for my first mud race – Mudderella! Come July 25, I’ll run a 5-7 mile course with 12-15 muddy obstacles in rural Maryland.

Where Spartan races and Tough Mudders are timed races, the Mudderella isn’t. You don’t even have to do all the obstacles. The Mudderella, while it’s an athletic challenge, looks a little more relaxed and fun. I’m still planning on doing a Spartan Sprint this year, but I’m hoping this breaks me into these obstacle races in a fun way.

Running With Zombies? Beating Mental Roadblocks

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I'm getting stronger, running my longest distance yet (3.28 miles). Now its time to work on those negative thoughts with a fun, new app that combines storytelling and 5K training. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhoto.net and Sura Nualpradid.

I’m getting stronger, running my longest distance yet (3.28 miles). Now its time to work on those negative thoughts with a fun, new app that combines storytelling and 5K training. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhoto.net and Sura Nualpradid.

Maybe I felt guilty about eating that ice cream this weekend. Or there was some residual stress from my husband’s hospital stay. Whatever the reason, after a short warm up walk, I ran 3.28 miles Monday. That’s more than a 5k baby!

During the run, my greatest challenge was mental not physical. As I hit the 1.5-mile mark, I started telling myself “I need to stop.” I felt physically great and my legs were strong. For some reason “I need to stop” became a mantra on endless loop in my head. Ugh! Read More

I Ran 3 Miles; Am I Ready For A 5K?

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Despite running the distance of a 5K, I'm not ready for a race just yet. But I'm getting there. Winter training here I come! Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhoto.net and Sura Nualpradid.

Despite running 3 miles, I’m not ready for a race just yet. But I’m getting there. Winter training here I come! Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhoto.net and Sura Nualpradid.

I experience a major victory the other day. I ran for 3 miles. Yep, I ran a 5K, sans the race atmosphere. So I’m ready for an actual race right? Maybe. I had a big advantage on New Year’s Day that led to my longest run to date.

Yesterday, for my birthday, I went for a 3-mile run 3…and failed miserably.

I ended up going 1.75 miles. Initially I told myself it was the wind and cold that stopped me. Then I thought my legs were just tired. After all I had an intense lower body workout with my trainer that morning. Read More

Road Warrior — Testing My Knee With A Short Run

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My knee is feeling great and I took it out for a spin today with a 1.5 mile run. I'm confident I can restart my 5K training in January.

My knee is feeling great and I took it out for a spin today with a 1.5 mile run. I’m confident I can restart my 5K training in January.

For some reason, during my walk, I got the urge to test my knee and try some running. I thought I’d just run for about 20 yards and start walking again. Turns out I switched back to walking 1.5 miles later. My knee felt great. But I was shocked that I could go that far.

Before the injury the furthest I ran was a little less than a mile. I haven’t run for about 2 months. My plan is to resume my 5K training in January – and that is still the plan. But I thought I’d start at the beginning to ease back into my 5K training. Turns out, my cycling and walks are keeping my cardio in check. While I still intend to ease back into my training, it’s comforting to know I don’t have to start at square one.

The Will To Run Is Strong…But The Knee Is Still Weak

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My Saucony running shoes are screaming for a workout. But my knee is screaming louder. I hope by January I can lace these babies up for some 5k training.

My Saucony running shoes are screaming for a workout. But my knee is screaming louder. I hope by January I can lace these babies up for some 5k training.

I’ve really babied my knee these last 4 weeks. I cut back on my spin classes (missing nearly 2 weeks of classes). My trainer focused on my upper body during our last 8 sessions. Sadly my Tough Mudder training has taken a back seat to ice packs and rest. I even cut my daily walks down to 2-3 days/week. The result? My knee is feeling pretty good…but not great.

First the bad news: During my Friday yoga class, I felt pain during one pose (damn you, Child’s Pose). Just too much weight on my knee.

Now for some good news: There’s no pain when I walk or go up or down stairs (woo hoo!). And no swelling for nearly a week. Yesterday my trainer tested the knee out with some squats, leg extensions and presses – no pain but plenty of loud popping noises (not great). Read More

4 Weeks Until I Run My First 5K

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My problem Achilles tendon is rearing it's ugly head again. This morning the right side of my ankle is swollen and can't bear any weight. Time for a little R&R to avoid a possible tear.

I run my first 5K in 4 weeks. Unfortunately, my problem Achilles tendon is slowing down my 5K training. It’s feeling better lately and tomorrow I see just how far I can run without stopping.

Time is flying by. I looked at the calendar today and realized I only have 4 weeks left to train for my upcoming 5k. Holy cow! I’m starting to sweat it because I haven’t been consistent in my training.

For the last two months I’ve experienced a flare up with my Achilles’ tendon. It hurts the most in the mornings. After an hour of stretching and light walking I’m much more mobile. But I do have days where no matter the amount of stretching the blasted tendon hurts all day.

About a month ago it started hurting right after my runs. So I decided to go light on the running, just to play it safe. The last thing I want to do is rupture my Achilles. Read More

Yep, I’m A Curvy Runner…And Lovin’ It

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If I can stay injury free my next 5K is slated for Sept. 12 and I'm training to run the whole, dang thing!

If I can stay injury free my next 5K is slated for Sept. 12 and I’m training to run the whole, dang thing!

I’ve set the date for my first 5K that I intend to run – September 12. That gives me 11 weeks to continue my training. It feels great to have a date to work towards. Lately I’ve felt pretty aimless in my 5K training. Don’t get me wrong, I love running, but it’s just nice to work towards something more concrete.

I plan to do a total of 4 races this year. I’m not sure if I’ll physically be able to completely run my first 5K of 2014, but by the time my last race of the year rolls around I’m confident 3.1 miles will feel like nothing. Read More

5K Training: Back To Square One

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My goal is to run in 4 5Ks this year. But with my knee, how hard can I push myself? Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid and FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My goal is to run in four 5Ks this year. But with my knee, how hard can I push myself? Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid and FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This week I tested my knee with some running. Nothing major. I broke out my Easy 5K app and started at the beginning. All the training I did before my knee injury is out the window. The name of the game is graded return – working below my break point, resting a day between runs and only increasing intensity when it’s comfortable.

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