Week 23 - Weigh-In and CT RACE IN THE PARK 2010

Well, this morning I was 219. I really tried harder this week on health eating in anticipation of the 5K I ran this morning.

Let me tell yo...running the 5K this morning was exhilarating. Last night I was pretty anxious. My knees were hurting as well as my Achilles on my right foot. So, I went to bed trying hard to relax. I got up at 5:30am. Showered, relaxed a bit in the shower, started drinking water. Ate half a roll, some Rice Chex, and an apple. I've read that you should never run on an empty stomach, but to eat a couple of hours before the race. Had a coffee on my way there, a small coffee...I've also read that a little caffeine can boost your race as well. I also had a Powerbar. This was an hour before the 8am start. I parked at work, and walked the 1/2 mile or so from there to the starting line. When I got there, I checked out the starting line, checked in my bag, and did a warm up jog/walk around the the park (Walnut Hill Park in New Britain). After that I stretched. Though, my stretching was interrupted by a downpour. I joined the rest of the racers in the bandshell and continued to stretch. The rain died down enough that I decided to check out the starting line again. It was about 7:45 now. I saw my cousin there which was great, because by then...I was doing a lot of slow deep breaths to keep the nerves in check. It was great having a familiar face there with me. Soon after I met up with a couple of co-workers. My cousin had just got off work (Third-Shift as a Cheshire Police Officer). Then it REALLY started to downpour. Which was very refreshing, though my cousin didn't really appreciate it. Thankfully, it only lasted a few minutes. The announcer told us all to walk up the starting line, and then the horn blasted an we were off. My cousin and I said our goodbyes because I knew my pace was slower then his. I got my music rolling and my watch ticking and I was golden. It was such a rush running with hundreds of other people. I couldn't contain how happy it made me to be a part of the event, I barely thought about running while in the park. Once we got out of the park, I was really encouraged by spectators cheering us on. I started looking around me for people I thought might be my pace and chose to follow them to keep a pace. I ended up with a first mile of about 9.5 minutes. During the second mile, I slowed...had to speed walk for a bit to lower my heart rate and breathing. I loved that there were people with cups of water handing them out. That was so cool. I always wanted to snatch a water from someone during a race, down it in my mouth and all down the front of me, and throw the cup to the ground. Ah, the simple things! Then, coming up on mile two I notice a familiar beauty of a red head in the distance standing by a stroller of two kids. MY FAMILY!! So encouraging to see them cheering me on, my little Gracie looked so proud, I ran over to them to just touch them before the final mile. The last mile was pretty tough. Some small hills and turns. I did my best to keep pace and keep my heart rate and breathing down. I knew I was going to need energy once I got back into the park. And so I did. Once back in the park, I could see the finish line in the distance, and over my music, I could hear the crowd. I threw off the headphones and let the cheers from the finish line be my music. I knew now was the time to give it my all. I was just shy over 30 minutes so, I bolted it. Everything in me wanted to walk it, but I was not going to be the pansy guy walking over the finish line. And so pushing toward the end...I MADE IT. 31 and half minutes! I don't have an exact time yet, because they hadn't printed the results by the time I left. Volunteers handed me some water at the end and I FELT GREAT!! :) The rain held off the entire race and it was cool and misty...perfect for running.

Well...there you have it, my first 5000 Meter Race. Onto training for a Half Marathon?? I don't know...I am thinking about switching my registration to the 5K on June 27th. I am enjoying the 5K right now so much that I think I don't want to force myself too much to the point where I might get hurt. 5K to Half Marathon is a big jump in 7 Weeks. What say all of you? Couple of more 5Ks, maybe a 10K? Hmmmm?

Week 22 - Weigh In Results

So far, I haven't lost any weight in several weeks. Been holding steady at 220lbs. Haven't really been cheating (that much), but I may need to kick the healthy eating up a notch. The hard thing is finding that balance now that I am running more. I know I am building muscle, and running just makes me hungry. I lost my 20lbs from eating less, eating well, and minimal running. I'm starting to run alot more now, so...my body is looking for more fuel.

So, overall all...I am feeling more positive. I am done with physical therapy on my shoulder (which just ate up two hours a week). I still have pain in my shoulder from time to time, but I've been told that may last up to a year, and as long as it doesn't get worse, then I am doing well. So far it just gets better and better, and stronger and stronger, so...I am not worried. I'm run/speed-walking at about a 11.5 mpm pace. I've run several faux "5k's" at about 35 minutes. I ran the 5k race course I'm running for Saturday this past Friday and will do it again tomorrow. Unfortunately, I accidentally cut a corner while running the course lowering the distance I ran, so...I want to go back and do it again to see my real time will be. I also want to try my new kicks!

So, be praying for a good run on Saturday the at the CT Race in the Park. A fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research. I want to make time (under 40 minutes)...which I have been, and I also don't want to look like a panting idiot! he he

Out!