Workout 205 - The Glow Run 5K

Last night, I did my 2nd 5K of the day, this time with Gavin, Kailee and my parents.  We did the Glow Run and it was a fun, blacklight, glowstick, night run.  Like the Color in Motion 5K, contestants were released in waves, though we all wore chips that activated when we crossed the starting and finish line.  I was so proud of Gavin!  He ran more than halfway before needing to walk.  Once he began walk/running, he also began complaining about being sleepy and wanting it to be over.  At that point, I did become annoyed because we had no choice but finish the race to get back to the car.  The last quarter mile was a lot of fun because onlookers cheered Gavin on--he really like that :).  He raced to the finish line and LOVED getting his participant medal.  That being said, he told me he does not want to do another 5K anytime soon, LOL.  We finished the race in 42:42.  He's six.  That's freaking amazing! So proud of my boy!

Oh, and it should be noted that Kailee walked the entire 5K at my mom's fast walking pace.  She also pulled her wagon (that was intended for her to ride in) for over halfway.  My mom said that Kailee was basically jogging the entire way.  She may be ready to do the C25K with my mom and Gavin soon :).

Gavin was so tired after we got home that he fell asleep at the table eating dinner. :)

XOXO,

Workout 204 - The Color in Motion 5K

On Saturday morning, some friends, colleagues and I ran the Color in Motion 5K and it was a messy blast!  If you've never done one, here are some things to note:

1. The color is corn starch powder, not liquid.
2. Entrants are sent out in waves and it's not chip-timed.
3. At various points, there are volunteers lining the path with color powder to spray on you.
4. You can get away relatively clean if you stay in the middle of the path.
5. You can get amazingly colorful if you run along the edges of the course.
6. You can get even more colorful if you dance around at the after party.
7. Bring baby wipes to clean up.
8. Bring trash bags to cover your car seats for the ride home.

It was awesome and we are planning to do the official Color Run in April in Dallas!  Anyone who wants to join our team, can and should!  Oh and we plan to dress up in tutus for that one :).

XOXO,

My First 5K ~ Workout 189

Crossing the Finish Line, it's blurry, but notice the huge grin on my face

Yesterday was a huge day for me.  I completed the first thing on my fitness bucket list: a 5K.  When I began this blog, on December 24th, 2009, I had just gone for a short run the night before.  I found the Couch-to-5K running plan and had grand plans to complete it and get back into shape.  On January 18th, 2010, I realized my dream of getting back into running was not going to happen thanks to knee and ankle pain.

I did the elliptical for a couple of months and then got into Jillian Michaels and happily got into the best shape of my life over the next 2 years.  Then, this spring, at a wedding shower for my cousin, Ramsey, my Aunt Karen recommended I try Glucosamine Chondroitin for my joint issues.  I researched it and learned that it would take about 6-8 weeks of taking it to feel a difference.  I immediately ordered it and began taking it.  On May 6th, 2012, I went for my first run and was able to run 2 miles at a decent pace.  And so it began, my journey back into running.

All summer, I worked through the couch-to-5K running program (or really the Ease-into-5K running program with the iPhone app) and completed the program on September 5th, 2012, and yesterday, I ran in my first 5K race.

So how did it go?  Well... My friend Jessalea and her husband, Marshall, ran with me and we did a good job pacing the first mile.  I was shocked to learn we completed it in like 9:45.  At that point, we got excited and started going faster than we should have, making us have to slow down later on.  The last mile was a bit excruciating because a lot of it was at a steady incline and my lack of pacing for the 2nd mile made the 3rd that much harder.  BUT, we did it!  I ran the entire time (or jogged, only walking for 3 steps to down a bit of water at the halfway mark).  I finished in 33:28, 84th out of 172 finishers and 39th out of 102 female finishers.  Jess was only 2 spots behind me :).  Her in-laws came to cheer us on and thanks to them, I have documentation of crossing the finish line at my very first 5K!  :) 

I am so proud of myself for working towards this goal.  I took running for granted in high school.  I was never fast, but it came easy to me (not many people can say they transferred into cross country having only ran 1 mile a month before and were able to run an entire 3 miles with only mild problems--I refused to walk unless I had low bloodsugar and often would have to down 16 ounces of juice and then would continue running).  It was a fight to be able to run again, and I appreciate every day that I am able to run now.

Our next 5K will be November 17th, the Color Run in Dallas.  I can't wait!

XOXO,