Living like a runner

Mike and I ran 3 miles on Tues night and I still didnt feel that I am where I want to be. 6 mile race is 2 weeks away and though I know this will be fine, I want to feel good while running it like I did for the 10 miler.

I think part of my problem is that I dont feel like I am a runner. I think that I need to have a runner's lifestyle that I just dont seem to embrace completely yet. I need to eat healthier all the time and not look at doing other forms of exercise as such a chore. I am hoping that the warmer weather helps me to turn this all around and I can actually feel comfortable wearing a bathing suit this summer!

Back at It....

Today was the 2nd time I have gone running since the 10 mile race. It was rough in beginning but after the 1st mile it seemed to get a little better. I still find myself struggling more than I should be with only running 3 miles though, but I am hopeful it will get better as I stick with it more. Mike and I signed up for another race in May in DC, 6.2 miles. So now I have 2 more upcoming races in May and June. Id like to improve my times on both of these races so I need to get out there and practice more. I also think I could afford to lose a few pounds and I am counting on the running to do that for me. We'll see how it all goes!

Marathon Foto pics

Since Mike too much better pics than these I am not going to order any, but wanted to post them on here to see. It is great how I am once again not smiling in any of these pictures!

Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race

This race went above and beyond how I thought it would go. Results were:

1:54:37-clock time
1:42:31-chip time
10:16-pace

If I finished the Vegas 13.1 mile race in 2:25 that puts me at about an 11 minute mile. So if that is the case I would have run 10 miles in about 110 mins or a 1:50 time. Knocking off about 8 mins from my overall time and 45 seconds from my pace is fabulous for me and I cant believe I did it for this. I had felt under prepared and that finishing at all would be a miracle. For some reason I felt like I was running well the whole time, never had to stop, and never felt like I was out of breath. At the end I was able to sprint by some people and make it to the finish line feeling good. I was so glad Mike was there to watch me as well b/c I think it gave me motivation to keep running until I saw him again and I look forward to seeing him at the end. There was a lady who told me she was using me to help pace herself so she would walk for 5 mins and then run to catch up with me and then walk again. It was rather odd at times but I felt she did help me to want to run faster to lose her! ha! I dont know if I would do this race again as it was very crowded at times and I felt I didnt get to enjoy the cherry blossoms as much as I had wanted to b/c of this. Overall though it gave me some much needed encouragement to do another one soon and as soon as I finish writing this I will be looking for the next race. Here are a few pics that Mike took at the race. On to the next one.....

2 days

I ran yesterday and today. Both days it felt like a rain forest outside b/c of the humidity and the fog. It was craziness. Plus I didnt have my water bottle with me or my ipod b/c I am trying to run w/out those things when I go for shorter distances. It went okay, not great though b/c of the weather. Tomorrow I pick up my race stuff and then run on Sun. I think I am ready so hopefully it will go okay and its supposed to be gorgeous for the race. Before the goal was to get a better split time than the Half Marathon but now the goal has become to just finish the race under 2 hrs! We'll see how it all goes.....

4 days

I have now 4 days until the race on Sunday. Mike and I ran 3 miles after work on Monday and it went okay, though I am not used to running with someone else so I constantly try and keep up and end up getting tired too soon! The issue now is the ipod. Technically you are not supposed to use one for the race. Most people don't but there are still some that do. I am trying to decide if this is something I would even be able to handle. I would like to not run with it and hear what is going on around but I also think it does a lot to keep me motivated and help me along. Plus I will wear the camelbak as I think stopping for water slows up my rythmn so I could afford to not have one more gadget on me. We'll see what I decide! 4 more days! Ahh!