So this past Saturday I ran my first 10K race. I know, yes I did do a half marathon before a 10K...I'm a little backwards that way, but honestly this was the first 10K race near me that I was able to run in. It was the Feed the Need 5K/10K and I ran it with some of my church family. This race is a great little race since the proceeds go to support New Life Ministries food pantry. I had run the 5K last year and let me just say that their course is probably one of the toughest courses to run in the Coshocton area. There are several hills to run up and this year was their first try at a 10K and for it you had to run the 5K course twice. It was a great morning for a run, a little humid but it was not super hot like it was last year...so good overall day for a race. I was really hoping to run the race in under an hour. My official time was 1:02:19. Not my goal, but not bad either. I think if I would have had a little more time to dedicate to training I would have done better. Let me tell you....training in the summer, at least for me, is far harder than training in the winter. Not just because of the weather either. It's just hard as a mom and having kids home on summer break, dealing with vacations, scouting and lots of things just going on during the summer, it's just hard to get that run in...it truly is. Mother runners....do you feel me?? However, that is about to change....because school officially starts here this week, so I'm hoping to finally be able to focus on my half marathon training for the Cleveland Rock 'n Roll Half. Which, by the way, I just found out that Gavin DeGraw is headlining the concert afterwards...oh yeah!!! I'm so super stoked about that! Gonna be a great time for sure! Besides that good stuff, I am just really ready to get back to some sort of routine, especially with my running. I found out after my first half that afterwards I just kind of felt lost (anyone else feel me there?? Do you know what I mean??). I had no training schedule anymore, no goal to strive for...if I was running it was only because I wanted to and I didn't have to run 'x' number of miles. I ran when I wanted and however long I wanted...which was nice maybe at first but leaves the door wide open to allow yourself to get a little lazy. And I suppose after feeling burned out a bit from training I did get a little lazy. But I am ready to set my eyes on my new goal for Cleveland and I'm just praying that my new training goes well.
So you may have gotten a little chuckle out of today's post title...no I'm not talking about jock straps or any other kind of athletic supporter under gear...but the subject of support is something that I've been wanting to address for a while, and this post is geared towards the runner AND non-runners...you know, those people who are close to you that may watch you at races, or just support your running efforts in some way. I just want to say that if you are lucky enough as a runner to have family and friends who support your athletic efforts, please make sure you thank them for what they do for you! If someone is willing to get out of bed early on a weekend morning to do nothing else but to cheer you on, please don't take that for granted. Please appreciate what a true blessing that is. And if you are the person supporting your fellow runner...please know that just the fact that you are cheering us runners on does not go unnoticed and is more than greatly appreciated. Never underestimate the power of good moral support!! I have run races where I have had family and friends supporting me and I have run races where I was solely on my own....and trust me I would much rather run a race where someone is cheering me on...even if I am at the back of the pack. There is a lot to be said about a good support base. For me, it just gives me that extra spark, that extra um-mph to cross that finish line. It gives me that mentality that my hard work isn't going unnoticed, that I am doing a good job...again, even if I am at the back of the pack. So if you are the runner....please show your appreciation to those who support you...and if you are the supporter, or maybe never have supported your runner...please know that your support speaks volumes to us runners and we love you for your effort and dedication to us. And to those who may be unable to go see your runner do a race, even just a simple note saying "good job" or "good luck" is all the motivation we runners need. Just showing that you care about something we as runners care about means so very much. True story! On that note, I leave you with one of my absolute favorite "supporter" commercials....nothing beats the power of a pizza box after all :):
So this past week, August 8th to be exact was my anniversary....no not my wedding anniversary...it was my running anniversary. Three years since I began this love of running....and how did I celebrate?? With a run of course!! I ran a 7 mile run. I tried going over the 10K course for the Feed the Need 5K/10K next Saturday. I sure can tell I haven't run as much as I had been, but it was a great morning for a run regardless. When I began this running journey three years ago, little did I know where it would take me....and that I would stick with it for this long!! In the last 3 years I have run 16 5K races, one half marathon and soon to be my first 10K. In the last 3 years I have logged around 563 runs with almost 1,900 miles...I'm almost across the US by now right?? Lol! I've gone through countless pairs of shoes, my wardrobe has shifted to mainly running t-shirts and shorts and I have now quite the collection of headbands. This "obsession" I have with running is one of those things in my life that I'm so glad that I not only took up, but also glad that I haven't given up on. I have felt so much better...not only physically, but I feel better about myself period. The fact that I've persevered this long is a big one. I can have a tendency to flit from one thing to another...but God willing, I think with three years under the belt it's safe to say that this habit is here to stay. I've met some great people, ran with some great friends and family and have traveled not too far, but far enough to consider it an adventure. Some of my most memorable moments?? My first 5K in August 2011...I thought I was going to die after that race, but felt so accomplished afterwards. In October 2012 when I ran the CCMH 5K in my first rainstorm and got 1st place in my age bracket. I recently ran another race in the rain...and I've realized that I'm just really not a fan...lol. Of course my greatest accomplishment was running my first half marathon in May. Training was hard and long, but the reward was definitely sweet...crossing that finish line was definitely one of the highlights of my life. I then ran my first mud race in June which was a blast, my first Color Run in July which again was a huge blast and like I said before I will be running my first 10K on Saturday. Lots of miles, sweat and shoes...but I wouldn't change it for anything!! So what's ahead you may ask?? Well after the 10K this Saturday I will be doing another first the following Saturday...I will be doing my first "dress up" race per se....hey I'll be wearing a Tutu!! And anyone who knows me knows I'm not a huge girly girl so this is something...lol. Not only that, but I'll be running the race with my awesome sissy!! It will be her first race and I'm so stinking excited for her!!! Can't wait!! Then I'll be taking a bit of a break...with races anyway...and start really kicking my next half marathon training into gear. In October I will be running my second half marathon in Cleveland for the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon. My training so far hasn't been quite as consistent so I'm hoping once the boys start back to school things will get back to more of a routine. After that I'm kicking around possibly doing a 10 mile trail run in November and if my sissy isn't too scared off after her first 5K, maybe doing the Hot Chocolate 5K in November in Columbus with not only my sissy but maybe also my aunt. That would be fun...what could be better than running, family AND chocolate?!?! I know right! So that's pretty much it for now. The last three years have truly been a wild ride...not easy, but definitely rewarding. Here's hoping that the next years ahead are as great as the last three!! Have a great week all and just like Forrest Gump....keep running!!
